L.A. stories of inspiration and success

L.A. stories of inspiration and success


L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti (center, front row) launches the Student2Student (S2S) program on January 24, 2022
Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Monday, January 24, 2022, the official launch of the Student2Student (S2S) program, which pays and trains young Angelenos who tutor their siblings or school-aged relatives living in their household.

The program is an innovative partnership between the Mayor's Office, EWDD's YouthSource Center providers and high school students/continuation school students attending schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). S2S was developed to mitigate the loss of in-person learning opportunities and

illustration of a sidewalk vendor selling electronics
After receiving a referral from another sidewalk vendor, Mario Olvera connected with the Central West BusinessSource Center (BSC) for business assistance and guidance on how to navigate the requirements of the City of Los Angeles Sidewalk and Park Vendor Permit Program.

BSC staff provided Olvera a comprehensive orientation on sidewalk vending for merchandise, license and permits, annual reporting requirements, and assistance on

Operators of Pacific Resource Recovery, Jennifer Lahoda (left) and Veeken Tashjian (right), on the floor of their TSD facility
The East Los Angeles BusinessSource Center helped Pacific Resource Recovery (PRR), a Boyle Heights-based solvent waste management company, with community outreach efforts. These efforts will allow the business to expand its capacity, retain its existing workforce and hire two new employees.

Founded in 1976 by Bob Berg, PRR is now

Aaron, LA:RISE program participant
Before joining the LA:RISE program, Aaron was homeless, unemployed, and had no job experience. He said he was drawn to LA:RISE because it was an opportunity to gain new skills that would lead to a stable job and better future.

Aaron attended a janitorial training program conducted by

Daniel, LA:RISE program participant
Daniel was struggling to stay on top of his bills. He was at risk of experiencing homelessness when he learned about LA:RISE and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC), an LA:RISE social enterprise partner.

Daniel said he was drawn to the LA:RISE program because

LA:RISE and Chrysalis logos
Nicole was in an outpatient recovery program and eager to get back in the workforce after a 10-year absence. LA:RISE social enterprise partner Chrysalis helped Nicole enroll in a job-readiness program that provided her the opportunity to touch up her soft skills, work on her resume and practice for job interviews.

Chrysalis offered her a

Mandeep Singh, owner of the Mid-City area Pickford Market
EWDD provides Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to the Los Angeles Food Policy Council (LAFPC), which spearheads the Healthy Neighborhood Market Network (HNMN). The program builds the capacity of corner stores by assisting neighborhood market owners to operate as successful healthy food retailers in underserved communities. This financial support allowed Mandeep Singh, owner of the

Crenshaw YouthSource Center participant Joseph Merchain (center) carries items in a parking lot at SoFi Stadium, the home base for the Los Angeles Rams
Joseph Merchain, a Crenshaw YouthSource Center (YSC) participant, was selected last fall for an internship with the Los Angeles Rams. Joseph split his time between the Rams headquarters in Agoura Hills and SoFi Stadium. He reported to Johnathan Franklin, director of Social Justice and Football Development for the Rams.

During his internship, Joseph met with

Juan and Neris Gonzalez, owners of the two Tamales House restaurants in San Fernando Valley
The South Valley BusinessSource Center (BSC) assisted husband and wife team Juan and Neris Gonzalez with finding COVID-19 financial relief grants that helped them keep their Tamales House restaurants afloat during the pandemic.

Located in North Hills and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley, the Tamales House Restaurants gained popularity for

Graciela Renderos, an East Hollywood area sidewalk vendor
Graciela Renderos, a longtime sidewalk vendor from the East Hollywood area, was awarded a $5,000 grant through the City of Los Angeles Comeback Checks Program in December 2021.

Graciela began her journey with the Hollywood BusinessSource Center (BSC) in 2020. She sought to obtain her sidewalk vending permit and spoke to a business consultant to learn more about the permitting process. The business consultant also rendered technical assistance services, such as

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