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L.A. stories of inspiration and success

L.A. stories of inspiration and success


a LADWP representative shows a job seeker at the Central-Downtown LA Regional Connect-LA Job Fair how to apply for jobs through their app
More than 120 job seekers braved a scorching hot day to attend the Central/Downtown Los Angeles Regional Connect-LA Job Fair on Thursday, July 13, 2023. Held in the Culinary Arts Building at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) campus, 64 employers and 15 resource providers filled

five of the 2023 participants in the LA River Rangers program through the LA Conservation Corps, including Genesis (far left) and Jennifer (second from left)

In collaboration with L.A. Conservation Corps, EWDD is seeking to hire 127 young Angelenos through the Hire LA’s Youth program to become L.A. River Rangers. The program, managed by the Corps, offers 18 to 30 year olds 12 months of full-time employment, providing critical maintenance and operation services

LARCA Participant Alfredo at the Watts Los Angeles WorkSource Center
Alfredo is an active Los Angeles Reconnections Career Academy 2.0 (LARCA) member through the Watts Los Angeles WorkSource Center, operated by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA). The program, administered by EWDD, allows class members to take advantage of job training services that prepare them to enter the workforce, such as vocational training or apprenticeship programs that connect them with employment in high-demand industries. In addition, LARCA provides free access to entrepreneurial and business services at the City’s BusinessSource Centers.

Prior to participating in the LARCA program,

LARCA Participant Sergio at the Watts Los Angeles WorkSource Center
Sergio grew up in the Mar Vista Gardens housing community and was impacted by the Gang Injunction Curfew Settlement. He used his benefits to invest in his education and earn several degrees. Here is his story in his own words.

“With the support of Watts Los Angeles WorkSource Center and the invaluable services offered by the Los Angeles Reconnections Career Academy 2.0 (LARCA), I embarked on

Featured speakers at the LARCA Program Extension Press Conference on June 28, 2023, included EWDD General Manager Carolyn Hull (center), LA City Councilmembers Eunisses Hernandez (far left) and Tim McOsker (far right), and Claudia Valle (fourth from right), Program Director of Healing Urban Barrios
EWDD General Manager Carolyn Hull recently joined Councilmembers Eunisses Hernandez and Tim McOsker to announce the one-year extension of the Gang Injunction Curfew Settlement, along with a renewed push to identify and connect class members to services and benefits.

“The extension of this program provides an opportunity for

Emiliana Lopez, mother of La Placita Market owner Ricardo Lopez, proudly shows off healthy food offerings at their Pico-Union community market
EWDD provides Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to the Los Angeles Food Policy Council (LAFPC), which spearheads the Healthy Neighborhood Market Network (HNMN). The program improves the healthy food offerings of corner stores in Los Angeles by transforming corner markets and liquor stores into convenient and healthy food retail options for residents in food deserts.

La Placita Market is a

Stock image of a group counseling session comprised of young adults
The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) recently recognized EWDD’s YouthSource Peer-to-Peer Counseling Program, which will train youth to provide mental health support to youth ages 18-24. The program, which will be launched later this year, is designed to create a pipeline for youth to pursue careers in mental health services. An excerpt of the article, which explains how the program works, is included below.

CLASP’s mental health work has consistently shown that

LA City Councilmember Tim McOsker of CD 15 at the Job Resource Fair featured in Juneteenth 400’s annual Juneteenth Celebration (pictured above center with EWDD staff members Aron Thompson and Elisa Lam on the left and Harbor Gateway WSC staff Peter Phou and Jennifer Angeles Weyh on the right)
In an effort to continue to support employers and job seekers post-COVID, EWDD has been coordinating with its workforce development system providers (WorkSource, YouthSource, and BusinessSource Centers) to host job fairs and hiring events throughout the city of Los Angeles. These job fairs have created opportunities for employers to gain access to qualified candidates and for job seekers to find work.

In partnership with Juneteenth 400, a nonprofit organization that

The forty-two graduates of the first Spanish language Entrepreneur Training Program led by ICON CDC, operator of the North and South Valley BusinessSource Centers
Forty-two students recently graduated from the first Spanish Entrepreneur Training Program led by ICON CDC, operator of the North and South Valley BusinessSource Centers.

Over the course of eight weeks, entrepreneurs learn

Salvador Medina, owner of Medina Truck and Transport, obtained access to capital through the South Valley BusinessSource Center to purchase a state-of-the-art 2023 Peterbilt 579 Electrical Vehicle (EV)
The South Valley BusinessSource Center recently helped Salvador Medina, owner of Medina Truck and Transport, obtain access to capital to purchase a state-of-the-art 2023 Peterbilt 579 Electrical Vehicle (EV). This new EV truck will reduce the company's carbon footprint and improve its overall efficiency, leading to significant long-term cost savings and increasing the possibility of hiring an additional driver.

“Thanks to