Welcome to the 9th edition of "In-the-Know with SELACO."
Enjoy reading the July 2022 issue.
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On Friday, June 25th, the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2nd Annual Lakewood Economic Forum at the Centre at Sycamore Plaza in the city of Lakewood. The event was sponsored by Senator Lena A. Gonzalez, Representing Senate District 33.
SELACO WDB Executive Director, Yolanda Castro participated in a panel discussion moderated by Chamber Board Chair, Brad Crihfield. Panel presenters included Dr. Seiji Steimetz, Ph.D.- Professor and Chair of Economics Director, Office of Economic Research, California State University, Long Beach, and Abel Avalos - City of Lakewood Director of Community Development,
Dr. Steimetz provided a special presentation on Lakewood’s economic recovery after the two-year pandemic and addressed, "Simplified Answers to Frequently Asked Questions" with a focus on:
- Labor Market
- Inflation
- Financial Markets
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Economic Growth
- Home Prices
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Downey Cares Collaborative (DCC) Honored at City Council Meeting |
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L-R: Council Member-Mario Trujillo, SELACO staff Sara Celis and Corina Coronel, Mayor-Blanca Pacheco, and staff with Council Member - Claudia M Frometa. |
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On Tuesday April 12th, two SELACO WDB Staff, Sara Celis & Corina Coronel attended the Downey City Council meeting to accept a proclamation in Honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Active Members of Downey Cares Collaborative (DCC), which include members of the Los Angeles County Department of Children & Family Services, Department of Mental Health, local clergy, city officials and SELACO WDB, serve foster youth within the community. DCC is lead by Victor Manalo, president of the National Association of Social Work, who brings this group together to collaborate and find solutions for foster youth. SELACO was present along side other DCC members in acceptance of this award. |
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Downey Library Soft Opens
Veterans Center
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On Tuesday April 19th, SELACO staff attended the soft opening of the highly anticipated Veteran's Center. The veteran center that is set to open in 2023, will be offering veteran services directly from the Downey Library. These services include; Transition & Reintegration, Career & Workforce Development, Benefits & Resources, Health & Wellness, Peer-2-Peer & Family Support. The Veteran center is now open on Mondays 1-6pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 10am-4pm. Veterans can check in prior to arriving to the library by accessing this link: https://cmvr-downey.nvtsi.org
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Stefany Morales is a Career Development Specialist 1 who has been working in the Career Services Department for over 3 months. What she enjoys most about her position is helping the community and getting to know different people daily. She looks forward to growing and learning all the services we have to offer, and become a resourceful specialist. When not at work Stefany enjoys spending quality time with he family. She added, "I love being part of the SELACO WDB organization."
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Khris Rogers is a member of the Business Services Department in the role of an ETP Business Engagement Specialist. She was hired several months ago and likes working with people who enjoy their jobs and who are supported by the organization they work for. Khris looks forward to learning more about other areas of the organization and how other programs work. When not at work she loves going to the beach, curling up with her cat Kismet and reading a book, treasure hunting at thrift and antique stores, and rock music - mostly alternative - especially live music! Most of all, she enjoys just spending time with her husband - they are newlyweds! Khris added, "I have had a lot of different experiences in my life. I was a stay-at-home mom and homeschooler, I ran a hand dyed yarn company that was featured in a national knitting magazine, I owned a vintage and antique business where I fixed and refinished furniture, I completed my bachelor's degree in my 40’s, and worked in homeless services as a housing specialist and case manager before coming to SELACO. I’m happy to be a part of the SELACO Team!"
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David Smith is a member of the Business Services Department in the role of a Business Engagement Specialist. He began working for SELACO a couple of months ago. David stated, "I like that I can help build the workforce in local communities." He also looks forward to learning how to help businesses grow and succeed using the resources offered by SELACO WDB. When not a work, David enjoys spending time with his son and family.
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Lillian Lucero is a member of the Business Services Department as a Business Engagement Specialist and was hired a couple of months ago. She stated, "I love helping people and businesses succeed." Lilian looks forward to contributing to the greater good of society and lending a helping hand. When not at work she enjoys grooving to some music while tending to her plants or relaxing at the park in the company of a good mystery book. Here are 2 truths and a lie about Lillian: 1. Helped save a life in Madagascar. 2. Modeled in fashion shows. 3. Skydived in San Diego. Can you guess which one is the lie? |
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Genaro Nieto is a member of the Business Services Department assigned as the Department Analyst assisting ETP and WIOA business activities. He was hired about 3 months ago. What he likes best about his new job is he gets to help unemployed individuals, help businesses acquire talent, attend events and be part of the positive work environment at SELACO. Genaro also looks forward to growing within the agency. When he's not at work, Genaro likes to go fishing, camping and dirt bike riding. He loves the outdoors and spending time with his family and friends.
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Jeremiah Flores is a member of the Business Services Department assigned as the ETP Analyst. He stated that what he loves best about his new job is "the purpose of up-skilling local manufacturing companies so they can better their employees' skills and efficiency as it not only keeps these companies thriving, but also helps our state." Jeremiah looks forward to improving his own skills and position as he establishes himself at SELACO WDB. When not at work he loves creating, traveling and outdoor activities, Jeremiah added, "I enjoy my position here at SELACO. Everyone has been so helpful and welcoming, and it has made SELACO a great working environment."
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Career Day at ABC Adult School |
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The SELACO WDB Staff Stefany Morales, Ahlam Suradi, Alexandra Mendoza and Renee Galvan-Padilla attended a Career Day on Friday, April 8th from 9am to noon at the ABC Adult School in the City of Cerritos to promote SELACO WDB services to the residents of Southeast Los Angeles County. |
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Career Week at Bosco High School |
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On Thursday, April 7th, SELACO WDB Staff attended a Career Week at St. John Bosco High School in the City of Bellflower to promote youth services to high school seniors.
Career Week provides students the opportunity to start thinking more in depth about what they want to do as adults through an up-close-and-personal view of a variety of occupations. Speakers connect students to what they are learning in school with the workplace and share the education required for entry into the industry.
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Tuesday, May 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. SELACO Staff, Genaro (Geo) Nieto and Jeanette Gutierrez participated in the Goodwill Job Fair at 800 W. Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach by providing information to job seekers. SELACO is looking forward to GoodWill's next Job Fair. |
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SELACO Presents Home To Employment Program at CWA |
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L-R Ben Sandoval, SELACO Business Services Manager, Thomas Haberkorn, Housing Manager for SHARE- Self-Help and Recovery Exchange and Corina Coronel, SELACO Deputy Director present information on the Home to Employment Program at the annual spring CWA Conference.
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The Annual California Workforce Association (CWA) Conference - "Reimagining the World of Work" took place on May 25th to 27th 2022 in the Westin Gaslamp Quarter in City of San Diego. The Home to Employment (H2E) Program is a collaboration between the Gateway Cities Council of Government (COG), SELACO WDB, SHARE! and HUB Cities. The H2E program was designed to offer two key services simultaneously, housing and employment. The H2E program provided affordable and permanent supportive housing to homeless individuals within the Los Angeles Gateway Region along with long-term employment and training services. Through career and housing planning, counseling, employment opportunities, ongoing case management and follow-up services, participants were able to become economically self-sufficient. |
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Business Services Manager,
Ben Sandoval presenting at the
CWA conference.
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Deputy Director, Corina Coronel presenting at the CWA conference. |
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Artesia Hosts Regional Job Fair |
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Cutting Carbon One Flight
at a Time
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On Earth Day, Friday April 22, 2022, World Energy had a Carbon Cutting Celebration located in our own Workforce Development Board’s member city, the city of Paramount. This event was a “full house” of local businesses in the area who will become supply-chain partners with World Energy as they convert the remaining section of the old oil refinery into a commercial SAF production plant. Sustainable Airline Fuel, or SAF first emerged at this location, and this is the first commercial production facility in the world committed to SAF production. The new conversion will yield 340 million gallons of fuel annually, create 18,000 jobs, and yield $1.3 billion in local, state, and federal taxes over five years. The event included a virtual representation of the finished SAF plant, examples of the difference in pollution between current airline fuels and SAF’s, and food and drinks for the attendees including coffee emblazoned with the World Energy logo on top. SELACO intends to continue as a partner with World Energy in this initiative through workforce development and ETP training activities.
World Energy Founder, President, and CEO, Gene Geblys, hosted the event. Gene’s passion for this project came through as he announced World Energy’s partnerships with Air Products and Honeywell. Some of the other speakers were Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon from the 63rd District, Dr. Samir J. Serham COO of Air Products, Brian Glover CEO of Honeywell and UOP, Mr. Cris Hannon Executive Secretary Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Counsel AFL-CEO, James J. Spaeth U.S. Department of Energy, Austin L. Brown Senior Director of Transportation Emissions White House Office of Domestic Climate, Patty Moynihan Commissioner California Energy Commission, Richard Corey Executive Officer California Air Resources Board, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Mayor or Paramount Vilma Cuellar Stallings, and World Energy COO John Ziedler. Also in attendance were SELACO’s own Yolanda Castro, Kay Ford, Jeremiah Flores and Khris Rogers. Congratulations to World Energy for a change that will make a positive impact on the Earth not just on Earth Day, but every day going forward and for many years to come!
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How We Make Net-Zero Real
World Energy captured its vision for making net-zero real in a brief video shared to kick off the Carbon Cutting Celebration.
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SELACO staff left to right: Executive Director-Yolanda Castro, Deputy Director of Business and Administrative Services.-Kay Ford, Business Engagement Specialist-Khris Rogers & Business Development Analyst-Jeremiah Flores
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SELACO staff left to right: Business Development Analyst-Jeremiah Flores, Business Engagement Specialist-Khris Rogers and Deputy Director of Business and Administrative Services, Kay Ford.
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Paramount Chamber Hosts
Women in Business Luncheon
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L to R: Paramount High School home studies teacher, 3 Juniors from Paramount High School, SELACO Staff: Ahlam Suradi, Vanessa Gonzalez, Tara Luna and Corina Coronel (not pictured.)
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On Wednesday, April 27th, The Paramount Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2022 Annual Women in Business Luncheon at Progressive Park. The purpose of this event was to connect High School Girls with current women in business. The goal is to promote networking, career pathways and to experience a Panel of Entrepreneurial Women; Brenda Olmos; Former Mayor/ Current Councilmember, Alicia Valdez, Northgate Gonzalez Markets, Kat Yalung of Chief Katalyst & Dana Brown CEO of EmpowHer Institute. SELACO staff was present and shared a table with 3 high school Juniors, all of whom are on a criminal justice career pathway in hopes of pursuing occupations in the medical field. The 3 students are currently taking college courses, and will graduate with both their high school diploma and an AA degree next year. SELACO staff networked and offered to be mentors to the students who attended that event. SELACO hopes to continue to support young adults within our community by linking them with workforce professionals for future mentorship. |
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SELACO WDB Presents the Foster to Social Work Program at CWA |
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L-R Victor Manalo, Social Worker, Consultant, Public Servant, President, Board of Directors at National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter (NASW-CA), SELACO Deputy Director Corina Coronel and SELACO Youth Career Development Specialist, Ahlam Suradi present the Foster to Social Work Program at the California Workforce Association (CWA) Conference in San Diego.
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The Foster to Social Work (F2SW) program is a collaboration between SELACO WDB and the National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter (NASW-CA). SELACO WDB has partnered with the NASW-CA to offer foster and/or former foster young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 the opportunity to explore a career pathway into the field of social work while also gaining work readiness skills. This program involves a 2 week long boot camp where students can explore the truths and myths of social work, the educational path to becoming a social worker, and how to become successful. After the completion of the bootcamp, participants are given the opportunity to receive paid work experience. Through this program, participants can gain work readiness skills and obtain hands-on experience in the field of social work. The objective at the end of this project is to have participants on an education pathway to becoming a social worker. |
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SELACO Youth Career Development Specialist, Ahlam Suradi and SELACO Deputy Director Corina Coronel, pose by the session sign in the hallway of the Westin Hotel, minutes before the F2SW presentation. |
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Evelin Becerra Vega, Compton
Workforce Challenge:
Evelin was unemployed for about 10 months after working as a shift supervisor at CVS for only 5 months. She searched for jobs on Indeed, in-person, and through referrals from previous co-workers, but Evelin really wanted to become a dental assistant. However, she could not afford the high cost of the training and tried to find financial support.
Workforce Solution:
After going to an orientation at Downey Adult School, Evelin spoke to a SELACO WDB Career Development Specialist (CDS) who was part of the orientation. Evelin was informed that she could apply for financial assistance to cover her training costs. She enrolled with SELACO, qualified for training assistance, and was enrolled in Downey Adult School. During this time, Evelin’s CDS and SELACO staff supported her throughout the duration of the program, checking on her progress and making sure that she had the required classroom supplies. After 800 hours (40 weeks) of study, Evelin earned her certification as a dental assistant and was referred to a local dentist office to complete 200 hours of work experience.
Workforce Outcome / Benefits:
Evelin continued her job search and applied for a position found on the Indeed website. She sent in her resumé, interviewed, and landed a job as Dental Assistant / Front Office Administrator for a company in Beverly Hills. She will be assisting the dentist, scheduling patients, handling payments / calling insurance companies and making sure each patient feels cared for. Aside from the salary increase, Evelin also likes the hours. She said that she is beyond grateful and advises other job seekers; “Make sure you are on top of your case and be aware of the requirements needed to continue being helped by SELACO. Always maintain communication with your case manager.”
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Richard Baldamino, Downey
Workforce Challenge:
Richard began his workforce journey after he was referred to the SELACO WDB America’s Job Center in Cerritos. He was seeking job placement assistance and career guidance to secure employment with a strong career path. He searched for jobs on Craig’s List and asked friends for any leads or referrals. Richard stated that his biggest challenge was actually himself and his lack of confidence. He felt that he needed knowledge in a particular field before he could get hired.
Workforce Solution:
Richard was co-enrolled with a SELACO partner agency and completed an 11-week Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) apprenticeship training. He also earned his certification in CPR, First Aid, and OSHA. SELACO supported the purchase of his work boots, transportation assistance, driver license fees, work clothing and his union dues.
Workforce Benefits and Outcomes:
After his training, Local Union 300 hired Richard as a laborer for a company in Santa Monica. He will be installing pipes underground, digging trenches, paving and much more. He remarked that he loves everything about his new job, “I get the opportunity to learn new things and grow within my organization. I get taught, then I get tested in actual scenarios. When I succeed, it feels empowering. I love it every time.”
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Hard Work and Diligence Pays Off |
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Leslie Shepherd, Artesia
Workforce Challenge:
After being unemployed for about 6 years, Leslie was referred to the America’s Job Center in Cerritos where she sought resumé and cover letter assistance as well as information on unemployment insurance. Leslie had worked as a Peer Support Specialist and Warm Line Advocate/Mentor out-of-state in the mental health field and was hoping to find similar work. She felt that her biggest challenge was lack of “circulation with employers” and resumé writing.
Workforce Solution:
Once Leslie was enrolled and working with a Career Development Specialist, she received, support, encouragement and counseling. Leslie also attended job search workshops and the 4-day high performance thinking seminar, Steps to Economic and Personal Success (STEPS). She was enrolled in training and earned her vocational diploma from the Pharmacy Technician Program at ABC Adult School. Leslie also completed many computer and medical courses and earned several certificates. She continued to come to the Job Center to conduct her job search.
Workforce Outcome / Results:
Leslie contacted the Washington Warm Line - her previous employer - and was referred to Nami Warm Line in Orange County. A month had passed after Leslie submitted her resumé and cover letter, but once the job opened, she was asked to apply and come in for a job interview. SELACO provided Leslie with interview clothing so she would be ready. Her responses and her ability to answer the skill questions were applauded. Leslie is now working as a Peer Phone Mentor and will be answering calls on a Hotline for people in mental health and recovery. She is happy about the salary, enjoys that the position is mostly remote, and likes that there is room for growth as she desires to return to school someday and become a counselor. Leslie advises other job seekers; “Know yourself, don’t be afraid to do the work to become a better employee choice, ask questions, listen to stories about lived experiences, be available and show up.”
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July 29, 2022
3pm: Workforce Development Board (WDB) Meeting
August 16, 2022
Noon: Policy Board Meeting
September 29, 2022
3pm: Workforce Development Board (WDB) Meeting
October 18, 2022
Noon: Policy Board Meeting
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Access our website for a calendar of the AJCC
virtual and in-person workshops and orientations!
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SELACO WDB is an equal opportunity employer/program operator, serving the following eight cities:
Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Norwalk and Paramount.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
TDD/TTY 562-403-2125, CRS (800) 735-2922
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