October is National Women's Small Business Month! We are shining a light on two women business owners in Contra Costa County to showcase the contributions female entrepreneurs make to the local economy.

A big thanks to all women business owners for your contribution to the Contra Costa community!
Iracema Camargo headshot
Iracema Camargo
Owner
Green & Fair Janitorial and Maintenance

Angie Toussaint-Billingsley headshot
Angie Toussaint-Billingsley
Founder/CEO
KMT Technical Services

National Disability Employment Awareness Month
NDEAM poster
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year's theme, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employers, community organizations, state and local governments, advocacy groups and schools can find ideas and resources on the U.S. Department of Labor website to participate in celebrating NDEAM.
partners shaking hands
restaurant manager
Women at computer
We appreciate our Hispanic-owned businesses and their contributions to Contra Costa County! National Hispanic Heritage Month continues through Oct. 15. We want to be sure local employers know about Contra Costa County's Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Watch this video to learn more:
Our very own Business Services Manager Patience Ofodu shares about her immigrant journey from Nigeria to the United States in this video by the Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department. EHSD and Contra Costa Health Services are a part of the Gateways for Growth initiative to improve immigrant inclusion within communities.
DeeDee Early headshot
We are helping jobseekers train for the jobs they want! DeeDee Early had been working various part-time jobs. She did not have benefits or financial stability.

“I developed an interest in entering the healthcare field in order to earn enough money to provide for my children,” Early said. “However, I could not afford returning to school.”

Eventually, Early began receiving services through the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) and working with a Rubicon Programs career coach. She wanted to become a sterile processing technician, so her career coach guided her toward financial assistance for training that helped her reach that goal and led to a full-time job in that position.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Rubicon and the career coach provided to me,” Early said.
Blog: Ambassadors to Manufacturing
Factory tour
The AMBayArea Manufacturing Ambassador Program sends ambassadors from manufacturing companies into high schools. WDBCCC is among a number of partner organizations that support the program. Find out how your business can participate in the ambassador program.
The Small Business Administration has enhanced the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program to aid small businesses facing challenges from the delta variant. Key changes include an increased loan cap to $2 million, expanded use of funds to pay business debt, streamlined review processes and deferred payments.
Small Business Disaster Relief
mother daughter at computer
The Contra Costa Employment & Human Services Department is teaming up with EveryoneOn and the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) to help eligible Contra Costa residents connect with affordable internet service and computer device offers.

WDBCCC Webinars
Join our October webinars to get ready to land your next job! We focus on career planning and other WIOA services, resume writing and using CalJOBS for your job search. Go to our Events Calendar for more info.
East Bay Innovation Awards
The 9th annual East Bay Innovation Awards will be broadcast live Oct. 14 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Join the East Bay Economic Development Alliance for a fun-filled evening where the 2021 awardees will be revealed.
Opportunity Task Force Meeting
The East Bay Leadership Council's Opportunity Task Force meets Oct. 18, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. It covers a range of issues, including healthcare, economic development and education. Employees of member companies and guests are invited to attend.
The latest labor-market information released by the state puts the unemployment rate for Contra Costa County at 6.5% in August, down from 6.7% in July.

If this email was forwarded to you, quickly sign up on our homepage to receive future editions of this newsletter and other communications.