Ambonisye, or "Ambo" as he likes to be called, came into the West Adams WorkSource Center (WSC) after receiving an email about the LA:RISE program. Ambo was looking for work and ready to start his career.
After learning about the program requirements, Ambo was asked what he wanted for his future career path. Ambo shared his interest in facility maintenance and eventually becoming a supervisor. After this conversation, Ambo started the process to become an employee at social enterprise partner Goodwill SoCal.
As part of his training for transitional employment, Ambo learned about resume writing, workplace manners, and other tools to help him succeed in the workplace. The West Adams WSC provided Ambo with his work uniform and shoes, and he has been doing exceptionally well at Goodwill.
"Since I've been working for LA:RISE, I have had the opportunity to expand my career growth. I have experienced homelessness off and on for over three years. The programs offered through the WorkSource Centers and LA:RISE have helped me develop more janitorial and retail training. I am currently working at the Downtown LA ReFresh Spot. One of the things that I like the most about my experience is that I work daily with people in similar situations. My future goals are to increase my knowledge of my duties through work experience and training, and maybe eventually get into a supervisor position."
Los Angeles Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (LA:RISE)After learning about the program requirements, Ambo was asked what he wanted for his future career path. Ambo shared his interest in facility maintenance and eventually becoming a supervisor. After this conversation, Ambo started the process to become an employee at social enterprise partner Goodwill SoCal.
As part of his training for transitional employment, Ambo learned about resume writing, workplace manners, and other tools to help him succeed in the workplace. The West Adams WSC provided Ambo with his work uniform and shoes, and he has been doing exceptionally well at Goodwill.
"Since I've been working for LA:RISE, I have had the opportunity to expand my career growth. I have experienced homelessness off and on for over three years. The programs offered through the WorkSource Centers and LA:RISE have helped me develop more janitorial and retail training. I am currently working at the Downtown LA ReFresh Spot. One of the things that I like the most about my experience is that I work daily with people in similar situations. My future goals are to increase my knowledge of my duties through work experience and training, and maybe eventually get into a supervisor position."
A Social Enterprise Solution to Help the At-Risk Join the Workforce
EWDD is a leadership team partner of LA:RISE, 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 to help people with high barriers to employment get good jobs and stay employed.
The City’s WorkSource Centers and LA:RISE prioritize individuals recently released from prison, the unsheltered or those at risk of homelessness, and youth ages 18-24 who are neither in school nor employed. After working in a transitional job at a social enterprise, leveraging WorkSource Center training and services, LA:RISE participants are placed in permanent jobs within the private or the public sector.
The City’s WorkSource Centers and LA:RISE prioritize individuals recently released from prison, the unsheltered or those at risk of homelessness, and youth ages 18-24 who are neither in school nor employed. After working in a transitional job at a social enterprise, leveraging WorkSource Center training and services, LA:RISE participants are placed in permanent jobs within the private or the public sector.
This story is part of the EWDD UPDATES from the week of February 14, 2022. Read this issue and more.
