EWDD’s youth programs provide young Angelenos with the resources and services they need to get their first job, explore career options, and succeed academically.

Youth Navigator Kick-off Event

On May 17, 2024, EWDD alongside LAUSD and YouthSource Center agencies launched the YouthSource Navigator Program. At the launch meeting, EWDD’s Workforce Development leadership provided opening remarks about the importance this collaboration will play in reducing the number of disconnected youth throughout the City. 

Through this program, four YouthSource Navigators will be co-located across the City in an effort to co-enroll 70% of YouthSource Center participants into Career Technical Education programs so that participants have the opportunity to pursue high-road, high-wage, industry sectors while receiving the case management and supportive services to pursue in-demand jobs. As the partnership continues to flourish, youth participants will also have the opportunity to connect to other larger P3 services that include education, housing, and social health. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, the four participating regions broke out into breakout sessions to discuss best practices for integrating YouthSource Navigators and supporting opportunity youth. Mutual insights shared by navigators included marketing the programs to interested youth, creating a pipeline of interested youth, and information sharing among the navigators.

Youth Success Stories- Christian Diaz and Jennifer Valenzuela

In the Fall of 2023, Christian Diaz joined the Clean LA Program because he was interested in the career opportunities the program provided. By participating in the program, Diaz not only gave back to the community and helped to sustain the environment, but also developed valuable skills such as gaining responsibility and punctuality. As a result of participating in Clean LA, Diaz was hired by the City of Los Angeles’ Bureau of Sanitation in September 2023 and is currently working as a Maintenance Laborer - Vocational worker.

Jennifer Valenzuela joined the L.A. River Rangers program in Spring 2023 because she was in need of employment. During her time in the program, Valenzuela reached significant milestones such as obtaining her driver's license, being employed as a driver for the program, and even enrolled into college.

While this opportunity provided her with financial stability, Valenzuela says the most rewarding aspect of the job was giving back to her community and beautifying the environment. Her involvement gave her a sense of pride and even inspired her to take her son to recreation areas along the LA River.

LGBTQ-Owned Business Highlight- Shred Cycle

While enjoying a typical day of surfing and skateboarding by the ocean, Jessie Frietze-Armenta had a thought, “we have to protect this - these beautiful places that allow us to do the things we love.” Yet the reality is that sports gear itself is made of incredibly unsustainable materials. That’s when Frietze-Armenta came up with the idea of Shred Cycle, an early stage startup on a mission to reinvigorate the action sports industry with sustainable solutions. 

When Frietze-Armenta started Shred Cycle as a passion project turned classroom assignment, she could not foresee the future success of the company and how that could be achieved as a solo, underrepresented, LGBTQ-owned company without support. In response, Frietze-Armenta joined the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator’s (LACI) Founders Business Accelerator program in April 2022 and the Equity Innovation Program in February 2023. Frietze-Armenta shares, “compared to other accelerators, LACI has by far provided the most valuable support, resource, and funding that would have otherwise been challenging to access as an underrepresented founder.” LACI’s startup programs aim to empower founders–particularly underrepresented founders–to develop, deploy, and scale their cleantech solutions in order to help build an inclusive green economy. Through LACI, Frietze-Armenta improved Shred Cycle’s business model, revenue plan, and prepared for investment conversations and potential pilot partners.

For more information on LACI, visit laincubator.org.

LGBTQ Youth Story Highlight- Max Figueroa

With only a guitar over his shoulder, Max Figueroa visited the Los Angeles LGBT Center in hopes of accessing the drop-in services. The Center assisted by enrolling him in their Culinary Arts Training, which he completed and went on to further his education at a community college, and even helped him secure permanent housing. 

During Max’s time at the Center, staff described him as “an amazing student who exemplified putting passion into their cooking each and every day - excited about what they will learn next, always taking the initiative and being proactive, and most importantly in a busy kitchen being adaptable and going with the flow!” Max was the recipient of the program’s Love and Pride award. This award is given to a participant who goes above and beyond and exemplifies putting extreme pride and care into everything they make.”

Celebrating Women in Restaurants Event

On June 12, 2024, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez hosted the Celebrating Women in Restaurants panel discussion at LA City Hall to highlight the many challenges facing women in the restaurant industry. In attendance were EWDD leadership to assist business owners with questions. Additionally, various City departments and LA County Departments were there to provide business resources and answer questions from attendees. The panel engaged in a robust discussion regarding the difficulties women experience in opening and operating restaurants, the impediments of starting a business, and the financial component needed to manage a restaurant.

Panelists offered the following advice below: 

• “There’s no better person to bet on than yourself.” - Councilwoman, Monica Rodriguez
• “The first relationship you should have [as a small business owner] is with your landlord.” - Genevieve Gergis, Co-owner and Pastry Chef at Bestia 
• “It's disheartening not to get the money you need. So many groups are out there to make a change." - Susan Feniger, Chef/Co-Owner, SOCALO & Border Grill 

We thank the Councilwoman for bringing together all of the parties to engage, collaborate, and assist business owners.  

For further information about how the BusinessSource Centers can help your business, visit bit.ly/LABusinessSource.

BusinessSource Center Operator Spotlight- MCS

EWDD’s West Valley BusinessSource operator, Managed Career Solutions (MCS), commemorated the culmination of its Spanish Business Accelerator Program (BAP). Directed by the MCS Team, in collaboration with Councilman Bob Blumenfield (CD3), this program marked a transformative journey for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Over the course of the 5-week entrepreneurship program, MCS provided guidance to 97 participants, resulting in the establishment or structuring of 33 businesses and a total of 65 graduates. The graduation ceremony gave participants the opportunity to table their business and showcase their products and services. 

MCS’s Business Accelerator also provided essential business fundamentals including the opportunity to receive a $5K micro-business loan, business plan development, and licensing assistance, catering to Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) holders to formalize their ventures. Most importantly, all of these resources and guidance were entirely free of charge, ensuring accessibility to all aspiring Entrepreneurs.

The next English Business Accelerator begins July 25th. Interested individuals can register by contacting the MSC office at (747) 265-6201 or by using the link tinyurl.com/mcs-bap to secure a spot.