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L.A. stories of inspiration and success

L.A. stories of inspiration and success


Lakenya Spikes received a subsidized job opportunity funded through the National Dislocated Worker Grant which helped her onto a stable career path
The National Dislocated Worker Grant provided funding for temporary employment to individuals who lost their jobs during COVID-19. The Watts WorkSource Center connected Imperial Courts resident Lakenya Spikes with a subsidized job opportunity at the Watts Empowerment Center while developing her talents with the help of business professionals.

The Watts Empowerment Center is

the Malibu Pacific Trail before restoration, showing a deep erosion trench
The California Employment Development Department National Dislocated Workers Grant (NDWG) provided paid work experience for workers to assist with recovery efforts to residents and businesses that were severely impacted by the state’s megafires.

Some NDWG grant recipients served on crews responsible for restoring local landscapes destroyed by the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which

Armando Miranda, owner of Angels of Hope Med Trans, beside his non-emergency medical transport van
The North Valley BusinessSource Center (BSC) helped entrepreneur Armando Miranda successfully obtain loans and grants that helped his company, Angels of Hope Med Trans, stay open during COVID-19. Armando had more than seven years of experience in the non-emergency medical transportation field when he was inspired to open his own business after receiving positive feedback from customers who specifically requested him as their driver.

In 2019, Armando began working closely with the North Valley BusinessSource Center on

Angella Cole, owner of Angella's Sweet Spot, with a tray of baked treats
The Mid-City BusinessSource Center (BSC) helped pastry chef Angella Cole successfully obtain a microloan to expand her business, Angella's Sweet Spot.

In May 2021, Angella reached out to the BSC, operated by EWDD contractor PACE, to seek strategies and guidance to grow her company. Angella met with PACE Business Counselor Supranee May to discuss her business plan and

Harbor-Gateway WorkSource Center Aaron in his new logistics career
Aaron was working as a shuttle bus driver at LAX when he was laid off in April 2020 due to COVID-19. He had a hard time finding new work, especially in the travel industry, due to the decline in travel during the pandemic.

After some research, Aaron found that truck driving would be a good transition since it is closely related to his previous line of work and is currently in demand. His only issue was

RebootLA participant Seth Sundberg launched his tech consulting business, Reach New Heights
RebootLA participant Seth Sundberg spent five years inside federal prison, and he recalls his transition to society as terrible. He said that being incarcerated messed him up physically and mentally because he dealt with very extreme circumstances when he was inside, and the skills he learned to survive in prison were not useful elsewhere.

Seth shares that when he was released from prison, he found that even the most mundane things were difficult to do. He had to relearn

Boyle Heights Technology YouthSource Center (BHTYC) Open House on Saturday, October 23, 2021
The Boyle Heights Technology YouthSource Center (BHTYC) held an Open House on Saturday, October 23, 2021. BHTYC's partners Helping The Next Developers and Producers (HNDP), Five Keys, and Parents, Educators/Teachers & Students in Action (PESA) were in attendance at the outdoor event.

HNDP, a nonprofit that mentors LA youth towards career paths in the entertainment industry, hosted the event. HNDP alumni Oscar

smiling BIPOC small business owner holding a cottage-core open sign, welcomes customers into her shop; Comeback Checks Program round two opening soon
EWDD received 18,000 applications for Round 1 of the City's $25M Comeback Checks program, which will provide $5,000 grants to local mom-and-pop shops, restaurants, and other small businesses in need of COVID-19 financial recovery assistance.

EWDD's team has been working diligently to process applications since the Round 1 application period closed at 11:59pm Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Launch dates for Rounds 2 and 3 are

Sun Valley WorkSource Center, in Southeast San Fernando Valley, helped participant Rex on his new machinist operator career path
Rex is a military service veteran who first came to the Sun Valley, Southeast Valley WorkSource Center (WSC) on April 28th, 2021. Formerly a licensed massage therapist, his vocation was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As COVID-19 restrictions eased, Rex was unsure what was in store for him, but he knew that his employment future would undoubtedly change. To that end, he worked with a WSC counselor to receive career and business

Street Tacos and Grill restaurant exterior, a Boyle Heights community favorite
The East LA BusinessSource Center (BSC) helped long-time clients Arturo and Leonardo Aguilar secure COVID-19 financial recovery assistance that allowed their business to survive the pandemic and explore expansion opportunities.

In 2015, the brothers established Street Tacos and Grill, located in Boyle Heights next to Mariachi Plaza. While the owners are partial to their al-pastor tacos, the asada food items are a client favorite, along with the shop's refreshing Kale Agua Fresca.

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