LA:RISE is an innovative, collaborative partnership that unites the City and County of Los Angeles’ Workforce Development System with non-profit social enterprises and for-profit employers in order to help men and women with high barriers to employment get good jobs and stay employed.
LA:RISE is building a pathway from unemployment, to transitional employment, to permanent work for youth or individuals who have been previously homeless or incarcerated. Funded initially by the Department of Labor through a Workforce Innovation Fund grant, thanks to its early success, LA:RISE is now funded locally by a City of LA General Fund allocation, LA County Measure H, and workforce funding.
LA:RISE is building a pathway from unemployment, to transitional employment, to permanent work for youth or individuals who have been previously homeless or incarcerated. Funded initially by the Department of Labor through a Workforce Innovation Fund grant, thanks to its early success, LA:RISE is now funded locally by a City of LA General Fund allocation, LA County Measure H, and workforce funding.
After working in a transitional job at a social enterprise and leveraging training and services from the WorkSource Center, LA:RISE participants are placed in permanent jobs in the private or public sector. Upon placement, they work with a retention partner for up to one year, who acts as a safety net against potential barriers that can emerge on their path to self-sufficiency.
An Innovative Approach to Job Creation
Job Readiness Assessment
A standard tool implemented across all social enterprise sites to ensure that all referred candidates are job ready. The use of this assessment tool creates consistency and provides assurance to employers that no matter which social enterprise they source from, they will receive a quality referral from the LA:RISE program.
CalJOBSSM
Job search platforms that host data tracking systems allowing all LA:RISE partners to communicate efficiently with each other. By integrating social enterprises and personal support providers, these portals have significantly improved communication and case management across multiple sites.
Beyond Co-Location
WorkSource Center partners are not just physically co-located at the social enterprise site — they are integrated into the program and organizations. Individuals from both of these agencies are seen as one seamless team, providing customer-centric case management to all LA:RISE participants.
A standard tool implemented across all social enterprise sites to ensure that all referred candidates are job ready. The use of this assessment tool creates consistency and provides assurance to employers that no matter which social enterprise they source from, they will receive a quality referral from the LA:RISE program.
CalJOBSSM
Job search platforms that host data tracking systems allowing all LA:RISE partners to communicate efficiently with each other. By integrating social enterprises and personal support providers, these portals have significantly improved communication and case management across multiple sites.
Beyond Co-Location
WorkSource Center partners are not just physically co-located at the social enterprise site — they are integrated into the program and organizations. Individuals from both of these agencies are seen as one seamless team, providing customer-centric case management to all LA:RISE participants.

MEET MANUEL
Manuel experienced homelessness while searching for flexible employment that allowed him time to complete his re-entry program. When he joined LA:RISE he was paired with social enterprise partner the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO). Manuel was placed on a CEO/Caltrans crew, where he gained on-the-job skills and built up confidence. During the program, he met consistently with his job developer to discuss career options and opportunities for long-term employment.
Manuel recently secured full-time, stable employment with a construction company. He plans to return to school and earn additional certifications that will enable him to continue building his career. His advice for future LA:RISE participants is to stay focused, take advantage of the great resources and ask for help when needed.
Manuel recently secured full-time, stable employment with a construction company. He plans to return to school and earn additional certifications that will enable him to continue building his career. His advice for future LA:RISE participants is to stay focused, take advantage of the great resources and ask for help when needed.

MEET DONNA
Before enrolling in LA:RISE, Donna was experiencing homelessness and struggled to keep a steady job. The LA:RISE program provided Donna with on-the-job training at MADE by the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC), an LA:RISE social enterprise partner. She also continues to work as a Production Inventory Associate at MADE by DWC.
Donna received training in production lines, shipping and inventory, along with supervision skills. At DWC, Donna learned how to work with a team, communicate professionally and productively utilize feedback. She is currently enrolled in vocational training at the Vernon-Central/Los Angeles Trade-Tech College WorkSource Center.
"I'm proud of my successes," said Donna, "and I look forward to a stable future."
Donna received training in production lines, shipping and inventory, along with supervision skills. At DWC, Donna learned how to work with a team, communicate professionally and productively utilize feedback. She is currently enrolled in vocational training at the Vernon-Central/Los Angeles Trade-Tech College WorkSource Center.
"I'm proud of my successes," said Donna, "and I look forward to a stable future."

The Power of Social Enterprise
Social enterprises are competitive, revenue-generating businesses with a clear social mission: to hire and train people who are striving to overcome employment barriers including homelessness, incarceration, substance abuse, mental illness, and limited education.
Social enterprises provide real, paying jobs and wraparound services that help employees stabilize their lives, build their skills, and succeed. When employees are ready, social enterprises help them find lasting, competitive jobs. And because social enterprises reinvest their profits back into their businesses so they can help more people, they require less outside funding and are more sustainable.
Independent research conducted among the social enterprises in REDF’s California portfolio confirms this impact.
Social enterprises provide real, paying jobs and wraparound services that help employees stabilize their lives, build their skills, and succeed. When employees are ready, social enterprises help them find lasting, competitive jobs. And because social enterprises reinvest their profits back into their businesses so they can help more people, they require less outside funding and are more sustainable.
Independent research conducted among the social enterprises in REDF’s California portfolio confirms this impact.
Working Better Together
Traditional workforce development systems have not integrated social enterprises and personal supports as strategies to address the overwhelming needs of homeless and reentry populations. At the same time, businesses across the country are challenged with finding skilled workers.
With the passage of the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which requires government contracted workforce agencies to serve populations with barriers to employment, there was a catalyzing opportunity to foster collaboration between the social enterprise field, the workforce system, and employers to improve the long-term success of this population.
With the passage of the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which requires government contracted workforce agencies to serve populations with barriers to employment, there was a catalyzing opportunity to foster collaboration between the social enterprise field, the workforce system, and employers to improve the long-term success of this population.
LA:RISE Social Enterprises (Program Providers)
Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
CEOworks.org
323-357-6305
1320 East 7th Street, Suite 260, Los Angeles 90021
Eligibility: on parole or probation
323-357-6305
1320 East 7th Street, Suite 260, Los Angeles 90021

Center for Living and Learning
Center4Living.org
818-781-1073
14549 Archwood Street, Van Nuys 91405
Eligibility: GAIN-eligible, homeless/unstable housing, criminal record, long-term unemployed
818-781-1073
14549 Archwood Street, Van Nuys 91405

Chrysalis
ChangeLives.org
213-806-6300, Client Services
522 South Main Street, Los Angeles 90013
*contact for more locations
Eligibility: low-income, homeless/unstable housing, criminal record, long-term unemployed
213-806-6300, Client Services
522 South Main Street, Los Angeles 90013
*contact for more locations

Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD)
CoalitionRCD.org
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
213-743-6193
2415 South Central Ave, Los Angeles 90011
Eligibility: opportunity youth, homeless/unstable housing, long-term unemployed
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
213-743-6193
2415 South Central Ave, Los Angeles 90011

Downtown Women's Center
DowntownWomensCenter.org
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
213-213-2811 or 213-213-2846
442 South San Pedro Street, Los Angeles 90013
Eligibility: women-only, homeless/unstable housing
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
213-213-2811 or 213-213-2846
442 South San Pedro Street, Los Angeles 90013

Goodwill Industries SoCal
GoodwillSoCal.org
Robbie Thomas, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
323-223-1211 x2236
342 North San Fernando Road, Los Angeles 91340
*contact for more locations
Eligibility: opportunity youth, homeless/unstable housing, criminal record, long-term unemployed
Robbie Thomas, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
323-223-1211 x2236
342 North San Fernando Road, Los Angeles 91340
*contact for more locations

Grid Alternatives
GridAlternatives.org
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
310-735-9765
1338 South Flower Street, Los Angeles 90015
Eligibility: opportunity youth, military veterans, formerly incarcerated
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
310-735-9765
1338 South Flower Street, Los Angeles 90015

Homeboy Industries
HomeBoyIndustries.org
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
323-526-1254
130 West Bruno Street, Los Angeles 90012
Eligibility: formerly incarcerated or gang-involved
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
323-526-1254
130 West Bruno Street, Los Angeles 90012

Los Angeles Conservation Corps
LACorps.org
213-362-9000
2824 South Main Street, Los Angeles 90007
*contact for more locations
Eligibility: youth 18-24, opportunity youth
213-362-9000
2824 South Main Street, Los Angeles 90007
*contact for more locations

Los Angeles LGBT Center
LALGBTcenter.org
Nick Panepinto, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
323-993-7643
1118 North McCadden Place, Los Angeles 90038
Eligibility: youth 18-24 LGBTQ+/community ally; adults 50+ homeless/unstable housing
Nick Panepinto, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
323-993-7643
1118 North McCadden Place, Los Angeles 90038

New Earth
NewEarthLife.org
310-455-2847
6001 Bristol Parkway, Suite 200, Culver City 90230
Eligibility: youth 18-25, opportunity youth, criminal record
310-455-2847
6001 Bristol Parkway, Suite 200, Culver City 90230

YWCA Digital Learning Academy
YWCAGLA.org
Sheila Wiley, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
213-516-3515
1215 Lodi Place, Los Angeles 90038
*contact for more locations
Eligibility: age 18-39 unemployed, underemployed, foster youth
Sheila Wiley, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
213-516-3515
1215 Lodi Place, Los Angeles 90038
*contact for more locations

The LA:RISE Approach
LA:RISE is an employer-driven pathway with multiple partners that work together efficiently across the lifecycle of each participant’s engagement.
PROJECT LEADS
SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
WORKFORCE AGENCIES
RETENTION PROVIDERS
COMPETITIVE “BRIDGE” EMPLOYERS
The Roberts Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) is the lead program manager and provides technical assistance to individual partners.
The City of LA's Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) and the LA County's Workforce Development Aging and Community Services (WDACS) are responsible for workforce development and training in Los Angeles. They act as the project managers and provide administrative oversight for fiscal monitoring and program compliance.
The City of LA's Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) and the LA County's Workforce Development Aging and Community Services (WDACS) are responsible for workforce development and training in Los Angeles. They act as the project managers and provide administrative oversight for fiscal monitoring and program compliance.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
Social enterprises in LA:RISE include Chrysalis, LA Conservation Corps, Coalition for Responsible Community Development, Homeboy Industries, Goodwill SoCal, Downtown Women’s Center, Digital Learning Academy, the Center for Living and Learning, New Earth, and the Center for Employment Opportunities.
WORKFORCE AGENCIES
Government contractors (WorkSource Center, America’s Job Centers, One-Stops) are organizations that provide workforce development and job readiness training. They work with individuals from the beginning of employment at the social enterprise through job placement, and follow up once someone is placed in employment. Workforce agencies include Goodwill SoCal, Coalition for Responsible Community Development, Jewish Vocational Services, Managed Career Services, and El Proyecto.
RETENTION PROVIDERS
The sole focus of the retention provider is to help people remain employed by providing wrap-around resources to prevent job loss and lay the foundation for upward mobility. They assist with referrals to health, housing, and educational resources and coaching for personal development and financial capabilities. Personal Support Providers include LIFT, Friends Outside LA, Anti-Recidivism Coalition, and Restoration Law Center.
COMPETITIVE “BRIDGE” EMPLOYERS
Creating employment pathways that fit the needs and interests of our target population is critical to the success of LA:RISE. In addition to leveraging workforce system connections to competitive employment, LA:RISE has identified bridge employers in the private sector who are mission-aligned, industry-relevant, and provide the potential for upward mobility. Individuals also have opportunities to pursue employment opportunities with the City of LA Targeted Hiring Program, which provides an alternate pathway to civil service jobs, and Fair Chance Hiring Fairs through the Mayor’s Office of Reentry.