On October 24, 2024, the LA:RISE program celebrated 10 years of impactful collaboration between City of LA EWDD, REDF, LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, social enterprises, and workforce agencies. This event celebrated the efforts of enrolling over 9,500 adults and youth facing high barriers to employment into permanent jobs, training, and support services. These efforts have resulted in individuals gaining skills to join talent pools, economic security and mobility, and job retention.
In attendance, Brenda Shockley, Deputy Mayor of Economic Development, stated that the LA:RISE program is a reflection of Mayor Bass’s commitment to assisting LA’s homeless population get on a path to self-sufficiency. Additionally, EWDD’s General Manager, Carolyn Hull, provided opening remarks, thanking all of the partners who have made this program a success and who have dedicated the past 10 years to placing the most vulnerable populations back on a path to success. Assistant General Manager Gerardo Ruvalcaba participated in a fireside chat alongside other workforce leaders to discuss the future of workforce development.
LA:RISE participant Johnny Ramirez is a testament to how the program helps transform the lives of those with high employment barriers. At a young age, Ramirez lost his mother, fell into depression, and adopted the gang lifestyle. This lifestyle led him to be sentenced to 17 years of incarceration. While in the penitentiary, Ramirez regretted the decisions that got him there but vowed to shift his focus to becoming the best version of himself. While incarcerated, he facilitated groups teaching fellow prison mates how to read and write, which is where he also found his calling of being a motivational speaker. After 14 years, Ramirez heard the words, “It’s your time to come home.”
Once free, Ramirez was referred to social enterprise Center for Living and Learning (CLL), where they helped him obtain the necessary documents and work experience to reenter society and enroll into the LA:RISE program. Through the program, Ramirez earned his certification as a registered alcoholic drug technician, which equipped him to qualify for an employment offer and housing manager promotion with CriHelp.
EWDD is a leadership team partner of the Los Angeles Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (LA:RISE). This innovative, collaborative partnership 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.
In attendance, Brenda Shockley, Deputy Mayor of Economic Development, stated that the LA:RISE program is a reflection of Mayor Bass’s commitment to assisting LA’s homeless population get on a path to self-sufficiency. Additionally, EWDD’s General Manager, Carolyn Hull, provided opening remarks, thanking all of the partners who have made this program a success and who have dedicated the past 10 years to placing the most vulnerable populations back on a path to success. Assistant General Manager Gerardo Ruvalcaba participated in a fireside chat alongside other workforce leaders to discuss the future of workforce development.
LA:RISE participant Johnny Ramirez is a testament to how the program helps transform the lives of those with high employment barriers. At a young age, Ramirez lost his mother, fell into depression, and adopted the gang lifestyle. This lifestyle led him to be sentenced to 17 years of incarceration. While in the penitentiary, Ramirez regretted the decisions that got him there but vowed to shift his focus to becoming the best version of himself. While incarcerated, he facilitated groups teaching fellow prison mates how to read and write, which is where he also found his calling of being a motivational speaker. After 14 years, Ramirez heard the words, “It’s your time to come home.”
Once free, Ramirez was referred to social enterprise Center for Living and Learning (CLL), where they helped him obtain the necessary documents and work experience to reenter society and enroll into the LA:RISE program. Through the program, Ramirez earned his certification as a registered alcoholic drug technician, which equipped him to qualify for an employment offer and housing manager promotion with CriHelp.
EWDD is a leadership team partner of the Los Angeles Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (LA:RISE). This innovative, collaborative partnership 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.
This story is part of the EWDD UPDATES from October 2024. Read this issue and more.
