Before joining LA:RISE, Christopher struggled to find employment after his job was eliminated due to the pandemic. Since Christopher had no immediate family living in Los Angeles and his funds were running low, he moved in with friends and former co-workers. This living arrangement worked fine until his girlfriend found out she was pregnant. Not comfortable with his pregnant girlfriend living in what he felt was a “frat house” style environment and only living off of one limited income source, Christopher was determined to find stable employment to support his new family.
At the recommendation of a former roommate, Christopher reached out to the Vernon/Central LATTC WorkSource Center, managed by EWDD WorkSource Center partner CRCD, for employment services. With guidance from both Career Coach Tatiana Penuelas and Employee Support Manager Trina Tyson, Chris was enrolled in the LA:RISE program for job training. He completed 300 job training hours with a security company that works with CRCD and received support services such as obtaining uniform pants and work boots and assistance with housing navigation.
During his training, Chris showed such great potential that the security company offered him full-time employment. He also married his girlfriend and is excited about this new phase of his life.
EWDD is a leadership team partner of the Los Angeles Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (LA:RISE), an innovative, collaborative partnership that unites the City and County of Los Angeles’ Workforce Development System with non-profit social enterprises and for-profit employers to help people with high barriers to employment get good jobs and stay employed.
The City’s WorkSource Centers and LA:RISE prioritize individuals recently released from prison, the unsheltered or those at risk of homelessness, and youth ages 18-24 who are neither in school nor employed. After working in a transitional job at a social enterprise, leveraging WorkSource Center training and services, LA:RISE participants are placed in permanent jobs within the private or the public sector.
At the recommendation of a former roommate, Christopher reached out to the Vernon/Central LATTC WorkSource Center, managed by EWDD WorkSource Center partner CRCD, for employment services. With guidance from both Career Coach Tatiana Penuelas and Employee Support Manager Trina Tyson, Chris was enrolled in the LA:RISE program for job training. He completed 300 job training hours with a security company that works with CRCD and received support services such as obtaining uniform pants and work boots and assistance with housing navigation.
During his training, Chris showed such great potential that the security company offered him full-time employment. He also married his girlfriend and is excited about this new phase of his life.
EWDD is a leadership team partner of the Los Angeles Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (LA:RISE), an innovative, collaborative partnership that unites the City and County of Los Angeles’ Workforce Development System with non-profit social enterprises and for-profit employers to help people with high barriers to employment get good jobs and stay employed.
The City’s WorkSource Centers and LA:RISE prioritize individuals recently released from prison, the unsheltered or those at risk of homelessness, and youth ages 18-24 who are neither in school nor employed. After working in a transitional job at a social enterprise, leveraging WorkSource Center training and services, LA:RISE participants are placed in permanent jobs within the private or the public sector.
This story is part of the EWDD UPDATES from the week of July 31, 2023. Read this issue and more.