L.A. stories of inspiration and success

L.A. stories of inspiration and success


"I love working at DWC because I am able to touch the community and help others through Job Training." quote from Alex, a Production Trainer at Downtown Women's Center (DWC)
EWDD Updates from June 20, 2022, shares a success story featuring Alexandria, a women able to pursue a new career with job training from the Downtown Women’s Center and support from the Los Angeles Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (LA:RISE) partnership.

“My name is Alexandria and I'm from a little town in Texas called Texarkana. I have always dreamed of moving to Los Angeles and being a bartender. Once all of my children moved out of the house to pursue their dreams I decided to pursue my own.”

Lura’s Kitchen cookie mixes: Tura Lura's Chocolate Chip with Pecans, Madear's Old Fashion Teacake and Langston's No Nonsense Chocolate Chip Cookie
After working as a business coach at the South LA BusinessSource Center for several years, Lura Ball decided to launch her own family business, Lura’s Kitchen.

The South LA BSC, overseen by EWDD contractor Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC), offers a series of webinars for small businesses and start-ups, including courses covering

The Hollywood BusinessSource Center (BSC) celebrated its grand opening Wednesday June 8, 2022, offering tours of its new location within the Second Home Coworking Space.
The Hollywood BusinessSource Center (BSC) celebrated its grand opening Wednesday, June 8, 2022, offering tours of its new location within the Second Home Coworking Space. Members of the EWDD Economic Development Division attended and were impressed by the unique office space, which they likened to an atmosphere reminiscent of tech firm campuses.

Long-term EWDD contractor Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE) will administer the day-to-day operations of the center. PACE also oversees the

Celebrating its grand opening on May 31, 2022, the Southeast Los Angeles BusinessSource Center marks the first center to serve the Southeast LA small business community
On May 31, 2022, the Southeast Los Angeles BusinessSource Center (BSC) celebrated its grand opening. The addition of the Southeast LA BSC expands EWDD’s BusinessSource Center network to 10 locations and marks the first BSC to serve the Southeast LA community.

The center’s day-to-day operations will be led by

(left to right) Ricardo Renteria, Karina Henriquez and EWDD General Manager Carolyn Hull with a representative from Senator Maria Elena Durazo’s office at the third quarterly Connect LA Job Fair held at LA City College in May 2022
On Thursday, May 26, 2022, EWDD’s WorkSource Center system hosted its third quarterly Connect LA job fair, this time at Los Angeles City College (LACC).

Connect LA is part of a series of quarterly job fair events that will rotate around the City. EWDD’s WorkSource Centers coordinate these job fairs in collaboration with

Co-founders of Automotus Jordon Justus (bottom far left) and Harris Lummis (top far right) with their Automotus staff at the LACI campus
In February of 2021, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) launched the nation's first Zero Emissions Delivery Zone (ZE Delivery Zone) by coordinating joint ventures of private tech companies, local businesses and community organizations. The project enables electric vehicle home delivery to an area of 15,850 residents and a commercial zone that employs 28,900 workers in a wide range of industries.

Los Angeles-based cleantech startup Automotus, piloted its technology through

LA:RISE and Chrysalis stacked logos
As a re-entry job seeker, Vincent faced unique challenges in finding employment. Chrysalis Staffing and LA:RISE helped him overcome those barriers, build confidence, and find a full-time job.

It was difficult for Vincent to find work upon his release

Luis Benitez, owner of Cardinal Painting
The North Valley BusinessSource Center (BSC) helped Luis Benitez, owner of Cardinal Painting, obtain funding that is aiding his business' financial recovery from COVID-19 and paving the way for its growth.

Luis is a general contractor with more than 25 years of experience. In February 2016, he opened

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

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