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L.A. stories of inspiration and success

L.A. stories of inspiration and success


Anthony, a LA:RISE and participant, demonstrating the solar installation skills he learned through Grid Alternatives
Anthony was at risk of experiencing homelessness when LA:RISE connected him with social enterprise partner Grid Alternatives. Anthony was enrolled in Grid's Installation Basics Training program to develop solar industry skills.

After learning job safety requirements, including fall protection, Anthony learned critical

Ana Maria Sotomayor Palomino, a Para Los Niños YouthSource alum, graduates from Princeton University in June 2022
Para Los Niños (PLN) YouthSource alum Ana Maria Sotomayor Palomino will soon be a Princeton graduate. Ana received a California Workforce Association (CWA) scholarship while enrolled in the YouthSource program and has maintained close ties with PLN.

“I am excited to announce that, upon graduating from Princeton University, I

Pictured with Bella Entrepreneurs staff, East LA BusinessSource Program Director Irma Vargas (pictured far left), and Pico-Union BSC Business/Loan Counselor Ivan Vasquez (pictured second from right)
Representatives from the East Los Angeles and Pico-Union/Westlake BusinessSource Centers recently participated in the Small Business Resource Expo at The Goddess Mercado BELLA (Brillantes Emprendedoras Latinas de Los Angeles) Takeover event, Celebrando Madres Emprendedoras. The event took place at the Hilda Solis Learning Academy parking lot in East LA.

“The BusinessSource Centers have

(left to right) Watts BSC business coaches Fernando Borja and Jonathan Kinnard are bilingual and available to assist entrepreneurs and small business owners in Spanish and English
The Watts BusinessSource Center (BSC) opened on April 1, 2022. Operated by EWDD contractor Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC), the BSC will have a main office and a satellite office to accommodate the Watts community.

Currently, the main office of the Watts BSC is temporarily

collection of Southeast Los Angeles BusinessSource Center flyers at the newly opened location
Through the leadership and support of Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price (representing Council District 9), the Southeast Los Angeles BusinessSource Center (BSC) recently opened its doors to provide one-on-one assistance to small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs in the Southeast LA area.

Located on the Historic

David, National Dislocated Workers Grant (NDWG) program participant, restoring Monrovia Canyon Park
David first enrolled in the National Dislocated Workers Grant (NDWG) program in November 2021. As a local resident of Monrovia with personal experience enduring the Bobcat Fire, he was very motivated to assist with restoring Monrovia Canyon Park.

He wanted to help

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

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