Pathways to Success

Access to tech and creative industry employment

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

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

The YWCA Greater Los Angeles understands that underemployment and lack of representation in the workforce create significant barriers for parents, caregivers, and survivors seeking stable careers. Many face hurdles including financial limitations, caregiving responsibilities, transportation challenges, literacy barriers, and self-doubt, that often prevent people from securing meaningful employment. That first step toward a better career can feel overwhelming, requiring resources, guidance, and support to navigate. We recognize that access to employment is not just about qualifications; it’s about overcoming obstacles that unfairly limit opportunities. We also understand that ongoing support is necessary for individuals to remain on the path to career advancement. Without it, professional growth can be difficult to sustain. A truly equitable workforce is built not just by opening doors but by ensuring individuals have the stability, confidence, and opportunity to succeed.

This program will support the parents and caregivers, whose children are enrolled in our schools, to secure meaningful employment by helping them overcome barriers such as financial pressures, transportation challenges, and literacy gaps. Participants will get a 1 on 1 meeting with YWCA Greater Los Angeles staff that lets them choose the career path they want to enter and identify what tools and skills are needed to get there. Financial assistance will be provided to participants to help them with supplies, classes, transportation, and increasing their savings accounts to help provide financial literacy. We will provide wrap-around services, such as job counseling, ensuring participants can focus on professional growth without sacrificing stability in their personal lives. By utilizing additional funding and partnering with employers, we will be with the program participants every step of the way ensuring they meet their employment goals. With coaching, skill-building programs, and internship/mentorships at partnering places of employment, we help individuals take decisive steps toward their career goals while offering the encouragement needed to overcome setbacks. An additional outcome of the program is to create a support system of individuals who have graduated the program and can then assist other individuals achieve their goals of bettering their careers. At YWCA Greater Los Angeles, we believe lasting career success requires ongoing collaboration, advocacy, and support.

By equipping underemployed and underrepresented parents and caregivers with the skills and support needed to secure stable careers, YWCA Greater Los Angeles is contributing to a stronger, more resilient workforce in LA County. As more individuals transition into higher-paying, skill-based roles in competitive high roads industries, the local labor pool becomes more competitive, attracting businesses that seek qualified talent. This increase in stable employment not only strengthens industries but also boosts economic activity by creating more expendable income. When individuals earn higher wages and gain financial security, they reinvest in their communities, supporting local businesses, increasing consumer spending, and fostering long-term economic growth. By addressing workforce disparities and breaking down employment barriers, YWCA GLA helps build a thriving economy where opportunity is accessible to all and where the county can sustain continued prosperity.