Updates Week of August 1, 2022

FORMER FARMER JOINS FIRE RESTORATION CREW

Jaquan began his temporary employment experience as a Bobcat fire restoration crew member in May 2022, after struggling to find and maintain employment since the start of COVID-19. Considered one of the largest wildfires in LA County to date, the 2020 Bobcat Fire burned 115,796 acres in the central San Gabriel Mountains, in and around the Angeles National Forest.

Jaquan (pictured in the top row, second from left) originally moved to California from Arkansas in search of better economic prospects. Unfortunately, he has struggled financially, especially without the social support of his family. Jacquan’s punctuality, respectfulness and his hard-working nature set him apart from other crew members. Recently, his supervisor and MCS Program Administrators noted him as being fully capable of serving as a future supervisor when the next wildfire crew launches in Monrovia Canyon Park in fall 2022. Jacquan said his work ethic and interest in wildfire clean-up comes directly from his experience working on his family farm. His ultimate goal is to save enough money to return to Arkansas and take over his family farm. This work experience will help him assist his aging family members who are unable to care for and maintain the farm, thereby allowing him to keep it running for another generation.

Funding for Jaquan's role was provided by the California Employment Development Department (EDD) National Dislocated Workers Grant (NDWG). The grant offers paid work experience for workers to assist with recovery efforts to residents and businesses that were severely impacted by the state’s megafires. The NDWG also funded temporary employment opportunities for individuals who lost their jobs during COVID-19. EWDD workforce partner Managed Career Solutions helped administer the NDWG, which has provided temporary employment to hundreds of Angelenos. This project is 100% federally-funded in the amount of $1.8 million.

FIRE CREW RECEIVES CHAINSAW TRAINING

NDWG restoration fire crew members with demonstrated aptitude and interest recently received industry recognized chainsaw certification. The training emphasized the importance of safety through the use of proper gear (i.e. safety face shields and chaps) and the maintenance and handling of bar chainsaws. After completing the required classroom training, the crew went outside for hands-on training felling and making cuts to large trees and limbs.

SOUTHEAST LA BSC HOLDS BUSINESS WORKSHOPS

Following the May 31st grand opening of the Southeast Los Angeles BusinessSource Center (BSC), the center hit the ground running, hosting a variety of events to assist local businesses.

Overseen by EWDD partner Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), the Southeast LA BSC, on Friday, June 17th, the center hosted a Juneteenth celebration and workshop in partnership with Chase Bank. The ‘Emancipation and Empowerment’ event allowed attendees to meet District 9 Councilman Curren Price and BSC staff to learn more about available services and upcoming training workshops.

On June 28th, the BSC launched a workshop series starting with “Clearing the Fog of Certification.” This highly informative presentation provided attendees with an overview of the myriad of benefits and opportunities that exist through both government and private sector procurement.

The second workshop, “Accounting with QuickBooks,” was held on June 29th. Topics discussed included the reasons why accounting software is necessary, how it helps individuals understand how well they’re doing day-to-day and which options are the most affordable and easiest to purchase.

On July 13th the BusinessSource Center, along with Chase Bank presented “Building a Business Foundation,” which covered topics such as how to think like an entrepreneur; developing purpose, mission, and vision; conducting a SWOT analysis; choosing a business structure; developing a business model canvas chart, and agility and resistance audit. This workshop is part of Chase Bank’s $30 billion-dollar Racial Equity Commitment designed to improve the racial wealth gap within Black and Latino communities. The next workshop, “Marketing in a Digital World,” is scheduled for Wednesday, August 10th.

EWDD’s network of 10 BusinessSource Centers offer various levels of assistance to microenterprises, small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs in the City of Los Angeles as a way to revitalize the local economy by providing services and resources to help business owners launch viable businesses, grow revenue streams, stabilize, and create jobs.

You can reach the new Southeast LA BusinessSource Center by calling 323-450-7226 or emailing southeastLABSC@coalitionrcd.org.

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If you have any questions, comments, or wish to have a contribution considered for inclusion in an upcoming "Updates," please feel free to contact Jamie Francisco at (213) 744-9048 or Jamie.Francisco@lacity.org