After returning home from 15 years of incarceration, Lorraine relocated to Los Angeles ready to start her next chapter and take advantage of all the opportunities the city had to offer. However, after the move, she experienced homelessness as she worked to overcome steep barriers to finding employment.
Lorraine knew the value of a supportive network and asking for the help that you need, so she sought out the services and community offered by Homeboy Industries. There, she began Homeboy’s training program and was identified as an ideal candidate to take full advantage of the LA:RISE program.
Over the course of her transitional employment, Lorraine says she developed and refined her time management skills, which enabled her to keep two part-time jobs and support her family. She also gained customer service experience, built a resume, and began practicing meditation.
Throughout her experience, Lorraine credits Homeboy Industries and LA:RISE staff with providing a supportive, stable home base as she made large life transitions, reconnected with her son, and navigated increased responsibilities.
Soon after graduating from LA:RISE, Lorraine found employment at Urban Alchemy where she is proud to assist those experiencing homelessness and advocate for their needs. She was quickly recognized for her work ethic and passion on the job and was promoted to a supervisor position.
“My goal is to change at least one person’s life and show them there are better days ahead,” Lorraine said. Working at Urban Alchemy, and with the ongoing support of her Homeboy community, Lorraine knows that she can achieve her goals.
Lorraine knew the value of a supportive network and asking for the help that you need, so she sought out the services and community offered by Homeboy Industries. There, she began Homeboy’s training program and was identified as an ideal candidate to take full advantage of the LA:RISE program.
Over the course of her transitional employment, Lorraine says she developed and refined her time management skills, which enabled her to keep two part-time jobs and support her family. She also gained customer service experience, built a resume, and began practicing meditation.
Throughout her experience, Lorraine credits Homeboy Industries and LA:RISE staff with providing a supportive, stable home base as she made large life transitions, reconnected with her son, and navigated increased responsibilities.
Soon after graduating from LA:RISE, Lorraine found employment at Urban Alchemy where she is proud to assist those experiencing homelessness and advocate for their needs. She was quickly recognized for her work ethic and passion on the job and was promoted to a supervisor position.
“My goal is to change at least one person’s life and show them there are better days ahead,” Lorraine said. Working at Urban Alchemy, and with the ongoing support of her Homeboy community, Lorraine knows that she can achieve her goals.
Los Angeles Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (LA:RISE)
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 July 4, 2022. Read this issue and more.
