Updates Week of July 25, 2022

Web  Instagram  Twitter  Facebook  LinkedIn  YouTube

SALON OWNER RECEIVES RENTAL ASSISTANCE GRANT


Concepcion Nuñez, owner of Nuñez Hair Styling, has leased the same location for more than 10 years and never missed a rent payment. “As a child, I was taught to always pay and pay on time. The pandemic hit unexpectedly and everyone’s circumstances suddenly changed,” she said.


Concepcion (pictured above) was heartbroken when she had to close her business temporarily due to the City’s Safer at Home ordinance. When her salon reopened, business was slow-moving and she was unable to pay her rent.


Concepcion was referred to Harbor BusinessSource Center (BSC) Business Coach Reyna Chavez to help her find specific programs that would be able to help keep her business afloat. In May 2022, Reyna assisted Concepcion with her online application for Round 1 of the City of LA’s Small Business Rental Assistance Program. Reyna helped Concepcion upload multiple required documents, including her business bank statements, tax returns, lease agreement and proof of previous rent payments in order to help ease Concepcion’s application process.


In early June 2022, Concepcion received great news that she was selected for the Rental Assistance program and began receiving technical assistance from the Business Coach. With the help of the Harbor BSC, Concepcion received a $5,790 rental assistance grant that helped her cover back rent due to COVID-19.


Concepcion also received a one-on-one consultation on how to navigate her business during COVID, including access to capital resources to help her expand her business. “I’m grateful for programs that exist like the BusinessSource Center, without the help of programs like this it would be difficult to apply on my own.” Her landlord was very understanding about the situation himself and is also grateful for the support the City of Los Angeles is providing to Small Businesses today.


EWDD’s BusinessSource Centers offer a variety of Business Services, including several Financial and Development Incentive Programs and a Small Business Loan Program. Learn how EWDD can help your business grow and succeed at bit.ly/LABusinessSource


Nuñez Hair Styling  is located 5417 Santa Monica Boulevard in LA City Council District 13


LA:RISE HELPS RE-ENTRY WORKER FIND SOLAR CAREER

Ezekiel is launching a new career in the solar industry – a long-time interest that he found the opportunity to pursue through the LA:RISE program. After connecting with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) for support in his reentry after incarceration, Ezekiel (above) learned about LA:RISE and GRID Alternatives. He was looking to gain on-the-job experience, find a supportive team, and maintain stable housing. After enrolling, Ezekiel began a transitional job as a Photovoltaic (PV) Installer and participated in training in micro-grid maintenance. He enjoyed the work and reentering the workforce gave him the focus and pride to continue building his new career. Today, Ezekiel is using the skills he developed in LA:RISE as a micro-grid maintenance trainee with LA Cleantech Incubator (LACI).


EWDD is a leadership team partner of the Los Angeles Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (LA:RISE). This innovative, collaborative partnership unites the City and County of Los Angeles' Workforce Development System (WDS) with non-profit social enterprises and for-profit employers to help individuals with high barriers to employment get good jobs and stay employed.

If TTY/TTD is needed to contact us, please use 711 for Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS).

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