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EWDD Stories of Inspiration and Success

colorful illustration of a woman working on a car engine adjacent to the Para Los Niños and YouthSource logos
Natalia is currently enrolled in the Para Los Niños YouthSource program and is attending Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) as a first-year, first-generation college student.

Natalia is pursuing a pathway in Advanced Transportation and Manufacturing, specifically the Automotive and Related Technology program. She will receive instruction in maintenance, diagnosis and overhaul procedures of electrical and fuel injection systems, preparing her for

Louis Enriquez, owner of DLBLF Financial Consulting and Small Business Solutions
The Harbor BusinessSource Center (BSC) provided entrepreneur Louis Enriquez, owner of DLBLF Financial Consulting and Small Business Solutions, with critical technical assistance to help him establish an LLC and obtain licenses and permits needed to operate legally. Louis, a native Angeleno, launched DLBLF to provide

(clockwise left to right) Naomi, Para Los Niños logo, Ciara and Jose, all YouthSource participants; YouthSource circle logo in the center
EWDD currently operates 14 YouthSource Centers (YSCs) that provide young Angelenos ages 16-24, life changing services in underserved neighborhoods throughout the City and at no cost.

Below three inspiring stories of change from Para Los Niños (PLN), which operates the Northeast and Central LA YouthSource Centers.

Edgar Aceituno, former employee turned owner of Express Sign and Neon
For more than 16 years, Edgar Aceituno worked as a general manager with Express Sign and Neon, a signage company based in South LA. When the owners announced that they were closing the business in 2020, the Pico-Union/Westlake BusinessSource Center (BSC) helped Edgar find the resources to buy the business and save the jobs of his eight co-workers.

Established in 1989, Express Sign and Neon was previously owned and operated by

Synovia Jones, the founder of Nobe's P.B. Foods
Synovia Jones is the founder of Nobe's P.B. Foods and a 2022 cohort member of the SEE-LA Seasoned Accelerator program. Synovia has been a part of the SEE-LA family for many years and was a long-time, beloved food vendor at the Crenshaw Farmers' Market.

Nobe's P.B. Foods caters and sells plant-based foods, including Synovia's unique and tasty vegan crab cakes. Nobe's P.B. Foods strives "to provide locally sourced, sustainable food options that are

(left, right and bottom) Para Los Niños YouthSource participants Fernando, Maggie and Stephanie
EWDD currently operates 14 YouthSource Centers (YSCs) that provide young Angelenos ages 16-24 life-changing services in underserved neighborhoods throughout the City and at no cost.

Below are three inspiring stories of change from Para Los Niños (PLN), which operates the Northeast and Central LA YouthSource Centers.