Economic & Workforce Development Department - City of Los Angeles

March is Women's History Month! In honor of recognizing and celebrating women's successes, we will be spotlighting the stories of women entrepreneurs as well as the stories of women who overcame challenges in their workforce careers. Stay Tuned!

Over the weekend, EWDD's General Manager, Carolyn Hull, joined Mayor Bass in visiting the Impacted Worker and Family Recovery Center in Sylmar. These centers leverage existing resources and partnerships to create a coordinated system of support, where those affected can access services such as job training and placement, income support, grants for small businesses, and educational services for youth; ensuring that these populations receive the resources they need to recover, rebuild, and thrive in their lives. As a reminder, the four recovery centers are open Monday through Friday 9AM-5PM: Northeast San Fernando Valley? WorkSource Center & AJCC? 13356 Eldridge Ave., Campus Center? Sylmar, CA 91342? (818) 482-1754 West LA WorkSource Center and AJCC???????????? 5446 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230 (310) 309-6000 West Adams/Leimert Park FamilySource Center? 4305 Degnan Blvd., Suite 105 Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 293-6284 Boyle Heights FamilySource Center 2130 1st, St., Suite 110? Los Angeles, CA 90033 (818) 441-7127

Application deadline extended for the LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds! Apply TODAY for Phase 2 of the grants! Through these funds, eligible small businesses and nonprofits can receive up to $25K in grants. Eligible impacted workers can obtain $2K in cash assistance. Impacted small business owners and workers residing in the City of LA can receive application assistance through the WorkSource and BusinessSource Centers. To find your nearest WorkSource Center, visit bit.ly/EWDDWorkSource14. To find your nearest BusinessSource Center, visit bit.ly/LABusinessSource.To apply, visit laregionfund.lacounty.gov. Applications close March 12, 2025 at 5PM PST.

Apply NOW! The deadlines for many wildfire disaster relief programs are quickly approaching! -LA Region Small Business Relief Fund: Apply by March 2nd -LA Region Worker Relief Fund: Apply by March 2nd -Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Apply by March 10th -SBA Business Disaster Loans: Apply by March 10th -FEMA Financial Assistance: Apply by March 10th For more information and to apply for these programs, visit bit.ly/LAFiresResources25.

Join us tomorrow! The Mayor’s Office of Business and Economic Development alongside other local and state partners are hosting a virtual application clinic to help businesses and workers impacted by the recent wildfires apply for available grants and loans that are expiring soon! Attendees will receive 1:1 technical assistance from a business consultant to apply for the LA Region Small Business Fund and the SBA Business Physical Disaster & Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Date/Time: Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 6PM-8PM Location: Via Zoom Register: bit.ly/0227appclinic?

During the wildfires, many of LA's Legacy Businesses provided impacted Angelenos with meals, clothing, veterinary care, and other resources. Today, we spotlight some of the businesses that took action to serve their communities. To learn more about LA's Legacy Businesses, visit bit.ly/LAlegacy.

Yesterday, EWDD's General Manager, Carolyn Hull, participated in the Our Future Summit panel with city leaders from Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas, and San Fernando to discuss the ongoing efforts the City of LA is undertaking towards wildfire recovery. Hull’s remarks touched on the many resources available to all Angelenos during this time that include: the City’s 10 BusinessSource Centers, the 17 WorkSource Centers, and the four Family & Worker Recovery Centers. Additionally, in collaboration with the City and County, “we got together and created the [Wildfire Relief Grant] because we understand it provides initial relief to rebuild their communities,” stated Hull. To view a comprehensive list of all the wildfire recovery resources, visit bit.ly/LAFiresResources25.

Effective today, the Disaster Recovery Center located at UCLA Research Park will now be open Monday-Saturday from 9AM to 7PM. EWDD remains on-site to provide information about employment assistance and business services to impacted workers and businesses. This location will be providing services until further notice. For the latest information on wildfire resources, visit bit.ly/LAFiresResources25.

To conclude Black History Month, meet Imani, an LA:RISE participant success story! Imani was facing homelessness and financially struggling to be able to afford her essential materials needed for college. But, with the help of the Vernon-Central LATTC WorkSource Center, Imani was able to enroll into the LA:RISE program to obtain paid work experience. To learn more about the WorkSource Centers' employment services, visit bit.ly/EWDDWorkSource14. To learn more the LA:RISE program, visit redf.org.

Lost your job due to the wildfires? EWDD's Rapid Response Team is offering FREE virtual orientations to dislocated workers to go over employment transition services such as: -Job Opportunities -Unemployment benefits -Health care -Training and other services To register for an English or Spanish virtual orientation, visit bit.ly/EWDDRapid-Response.