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L.A. stories of inspiration and success

L.A. stories of inspiration and success


The JEDI Zone Team, with EWDD Executives and CD15 Councilman Tim McOsker, toured businesses in South LA; (pictured left to right) Rosa Penaloza- EWDD Assistant Chief Grants Administrator, Kwesi Hanciles- EWDD JEDI Zone Coordinator, CD15 Councilman Tim McOsker, and Alvaro Correa, owner of L.A. Waterfront Pizza in Wilmington
On September 28, 2023, EWDD along with Councilmember Tim McOsker, took a tour of the JEDI Zones in CD15, which consists of the Wilmington and Watts communities. On this walk through the neighborhoods, the team spoke with businesses such as Watts Cyclery, Orangebag, L.A. Waterfront Pizza and Original Richard to inform the business owners about the resources available through the

On September 29, 2023, the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD) held a soft opening for the 6,000-square-foot Tresa McCoy Regional Training Center, designed to usher in a new era of hands-on employment and skills education programs
On September 29, 2023, EWDD’s partner, Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), held a soft opening for the Tresa McCoy Regional Training Center, named after retired Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard. The 6,000-square-foot training facility was designed to usher in a new era of hands-on education for training in

Joshua Molina, pictured here, was able to re-enter the workforce with assistance from the LA:RISE Program
Former gang member Joshua Molina served 14 years of incarceration. After his parole, Molina was at risk of experiencing homelessness. However, with assistance from the LA:RISE program and EWDD’s WorkSource Center partner Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), Joshua was able to re-enter the workforce.

Through the guidance of

August 26, 2023 - LA County’s Film Office, LA City and other regional and local partners hosted a Resource Fair at the History for Hire Prop House for actors, writers, performers, workers and small businesses impacted by the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes
On August 26, 2023, LA County’s Film Office, LA City and other regional and local partners hosted a Resource Fair at the History for Hire Prop House for actors, writers, performers, workers and small businesses impacted by the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes. At this event, attendees got help connecting with and signing up for services such as

Lenchita's restaurant in Pacoima celebrated a grand reopening after receiving access to capital through the JEDI program and the Northa Valley BusinessSource Center (ICON CDC) for improvements to their existing restaurant
The City of Los Angeles Jobs and Economic Development Incentive Zones (JEDI) Program provides economic development incentives for underserved areas that experience persistent unemployment and underemployment, low and moderate household income earnings, and neighborhood instability.

The program aims to

August 10, 2023 - Watts BusinessSource Center grand opening; CD15 Councilmember Tim McOsker (second from left), LA City Mayor Karen Bass (third from left), and EWDD General Manager Carolyn Hull (center)
In a collaboration between EWDD and Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC), the Watts BusinessSource Center (BSC) doors officially opened on August 10, 2023, at the Children’s Institute building in the Watts community.

The Watts BSC will provide

LA:RISE participant Christopher completed 300 hours of job and skills training which resulted in a full-time, stable job offer with a competitive salary from a local security company
Before joining LA:RISE, Christopher struggled to find employment after his job was eliminated due to the pandemic. Since Christopher had no immediate family living in Los Angeles and his funds were running low, he moved in with friends and former co-workers. This living arrangement worked fine until his girlfriend found out she was pregnant. Not comfortable with his pregnant girlfriend living in what he felt was a

The 70 entrepreneurs who successfully completed the second Spanish language Entrepreneurship Training Program by ICON CDC show off their completion certificates
On July 27, 2023, at the Panorama City Mall, EWDD’s BusinessSource partner ICON CDC held a graduation for 70 entrepreneurs who successfully completed the second Entrepreneurship Training Program (ETP).

ICON’s Entrepreneurship Training Program, which is tailored specifically for fluent Spanish-speaking individuals, is an 8-week initiative designed to equip participants with the essential skills and knowledge needed to launch a successful

EWDD staff fill a section of Dodger stadium on July 25, 2023, for a department wide team building event
With new team members joining the department and in an effort to initiate more team-building, EWDD's leadership team sponsored its first EWDD Dodgers Night! Over 90 team members attended the Dodgers vs. the Toronto Blue Jays game held at Dodgers Stadium on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. EWDD staffers

LAX Pups handlers visit the Watts YouthSource Center to teach the youth participants about the benefits of dog therapy
Last Friday, July 14, 2023, the Southeast YouthSource Center (YoWatts YSC) was honored to welcome LAX Pups, an LAX Airport Guest Services therapy dog program designed to provide stress relief and comfort at one of the