From Survival Mode to Career Success

Income inequality

South LA

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Thousands of good-paying jobs go unfilled in LA while our neighbors cycle through homelessness and poverty - a tragic mismatch that destroys families and communities.
High-demand forklift operator and security guard positions sit vacant while residents - especially formerly incarcerated individuals and single moms - lack access to certifications that can lead to sustainable wages.
In particular, CalWorks single mothers face impossible economics: $1,081 monthly benefits versus $1,800+ average rent, creating a $700+ housing deficit that forces families into homelessness and sabotages the intended employment efforts of the program.
Our solutions address both barriers: providing free certifications for 280+ residents to access careers paying far above government benefits, while offering critical short-term housing stability support for 18 mothers [and children], enabling successful workforce participation and breaking the cycle from survival mode to career success.

This funding will support two of Measure of Hearts Foundation’s initiatives in new ways: workforce development and housing stabilization.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ($39,000): We will provide industry certifications to 280+ residents in high-demand sectors with thousands of open positions. Programs include forklift driving certification ($130), security guard cards ($140), and power to arrest certifications ($200). These certifications unlock career pathways offering $18-25/hour starting wages.
HOUSING STABILIZATION ($36,000): We will provide $500 monthly stipends for four months to 18 CalWorks single mothers, directly addressing the $700+ gap between their $1,081 benefits and $1,800+ average rent costs. This will create the stability and safety necessary for successful job training completion.
These initiatives recognize that housing instability sabotages workforce development efforts. By simultaneously providing immediate housing relief and accessible career certifications, we break the cycle where families cannot focus on skill-building due to survival mode living. This integrated approach transforms welfare dependency into self-sufficiency by addressing both individual barriers and the systemic disconnection between available opportunities and accessible pathways in South LA.

This $75k investment in the Measure of Hearts Foundation will generate thousands in increased annual earnings, turning welfare recipients into taxpayers.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT: Reduced homelessness, filled employer vacancies, and children experiencing housing & educational stability rather than trauma.
SCALING VISION: These pilots will show that integrated workforce-housing interventions work. We'll expand to serve more families annually across LA County, partnering with more trade schools, employers, and organizations. Success will attract county & private partnerships, creating a sustainable model.
SYSTEMIC CHANGE: LA County shifts from treating symptoms to addressing root causes. Instead of costly emergency interventions, we invest in prevention - breaking poverty cycles through strategic workforce development paired with intergenerational housing stability. This reduces social service strains while building economic strength in underserved communities.