Grandview Foundation Workforce Development: Grandview Pathways

Income inequality

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) Central LA East LA South LA San Gabriel Valley West LA San Fernando Valley Gateway Cities South Bay Long Beach Antelope Valley

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

Grandview Foundation, Inc. works with adult men struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Among our clients, 100% experience addiction, 90% are currently homeless and/or have experienced chronic homelessness, 75% have been incarcerated, many have co-occurring mental disorders, including trauma and PTSD. Since our founding in 1969, it has been Grandview’s mission to serve the poor and disenfranchised, providing services to all of Los Angeles County. We offer both residential and outpatient services, including SUD counseling and groups, care coordination, and peer support. The majority of men who complete our program do not have employment to return to, many of their former jobs being unsafe environments. Providing recovery-based workforce development will help bridge the gap of the “digital divide” and enable our clients to develop their skillset for gainful employment.

To better address the evolving needs of our clients and the broader community, Grandview Pathways will use grant funds to enhance our outpatient program by adding a Peer Support Career Coach and a fully equipped computer lab. The Peer Support role is uniquely positioned to connect with clients through shared lived experience, offering not only career guidance but also empathy, encouragement, and relatable mentorship. This trusted relationship can be especially impactful for individuals in recovery, helping them navigate the challenges of reentering the workforce with greater confidence and resilience. The career coach will provide individualized job readiness training, resume support, and connections to local employment opportunities. Meanwhile, the new computer lab will give clients essential access to technology for job searches, online applications, skill-building, and virtual interviews, helping to bridge the gap of the “digital divide”. The opportunity to hire a designated staff member with employment readiness and recovery experience is what Grandview needs to provide the ultimate career support for our clients. Together, these resources will support long-term recovery, promote self-sufficiency, and strengthen the overall well-being of our clients and community. The opportunity to provide this type of support under our own roof, allows for a greater success rate by keeping our clients close.

The success of Grandview Pathways means more individuals in recovery will be rejoining the workforce with confidence and purpose, reducing relapse rates and dependence on public services, creating more stability for individuals and all of Los Angeles County. Stable employment supports long-term recovery, reduces homelessness and recidivism, improving public health and well-being. Pathways will create greater equity in access to employment opportunities for a community that is historically underserved and digitally disconnected. As Pathways members gain meaningful employment, Los Angeles County gains a growing pool of skilled, job-ready individuals who are actively contributing to the local economy. Pathways is a replicable model that demonstrates how treatment centers can integrate recovery-informed workforce development into their continuum of care. Pathways can be scaled and adopted by other treatment providers, further expanding its impact across the region and beyond.