SOUTH BAY ONE-STOP BUSINESS & CAREER CENTERS
Meet Virginia (Ginny) Owens - CARSON
Workforce Challenge: Virginia (Ginny) Owens is a 55 year old Carson resident, head of the household and single mother to her 19-year-old daughter. She found herself unemployed and in a very unfamiliar place after the company she had worked at for nearly 30 years closed down and moved to Texas.
Workforce Solution: Ms. Owens turned to the Carson One Stop Career Center for assistance. She enrolled in the Transitional Subsidized Employment (TSE) program and was assigned a temporary paid work position at the Norwalk Courthouse. After
2016 ADULT SUCCESS STORIES
successfully completing her assignment she was hired by the worksite.
Outcome and Benefits: Having been an outstanding employee during her participation in the TSE program, the Norwalk Courthouse offered Ms. Owens a full-time position. She is currently thriving in her new position where she works as a Court Service Assistant 1.
“Thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to work at the courthouse. I love my new job.”
Meet LaWanda Staten - GARDENA
Workforce Challenge: LaWanda Staten, 55, of Gardena, worked for Concorde Career College as the Regional Business Developer for approximately seven years. When Ms. Staten was suddenly laid off and she had a very difficult time finding steady employment to meet her needs. The Employment Development Department referred her to the Gardena One-Stop Business & Career Center to receive vocational training services and assistance with her job search.
Workforce Solution: Ms. Staten met with a career advisor and was informed that she was eligible to receive funding for training under the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act, Dislocated Worker Program. She enrolled in the Human Resources Management program at California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Outcomes and Benefits: Upon completion of her training, Ms. Staten was offered the Business Development Associate position at the Community Career Development in the City of Compton. Ms. Staten accepted the offer and began working for the company in February 2016 with a starting pay of $44,000 annually and has since already received a pay increase to $48,000 annually.
“I’m so grateful to all the Gardena staff that helped me during a tumultuous period in my life. They assisted me with brushing up on my interviewing skills and updating my resume and providing job leads. I had access to all types of resources to help me get back into the workforce! It truly is a one-stop shop to get everything you need in order to become employable!”
Meet Leonard Velez - HAWTHORNE
Workforce Challenge: Hawthorne resident Leonard Velez, 42, is a father of four young daughters. He was suddenly laid off from his job at Social Annex, a local software company, where he worked as a Service Director. Mr. Velez visited the Inglewood One-Stop Business & Career Center, seeking additional training in hopes of quickly reentering the workforce. Mr. Velez attended a Workforce Innovation Opportunities Act (WIOA) information session, was deemed eligible and enrolled as a Dislocated Worker shortly thereafter.
Workforce Solution: Mr. Velez attended various workshops focusing on job preparation and career readiness services. He received information regarding training providers found on the Intrastate Training Resource and Information Network (I-TRAIN). Mr. Velez
was enrolled at New Horizons Computer Learning Centers of Southern California, where he obtained a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification, which focuses on techniques and tools for process improvements with an emphasis on project management.
Outcomes and Benefits: The Six Sigma Certification and his previous work experience helped Mr. Velez secure a Vice President of Sales position with Telemet America, a financial investment software company, where he earns a salary of $77,000.
“I couldn’t be happier with the One-Stop staff. The assistance I received was excellent and has led me on a solid career path.”
Outcomes and Benefits: After the first month of participating in the Transitional Subsidized Employment (TSE) program she was scheduled for an interview with the South Bay Workforce Board (SBWIB) for a position as an MIS Administrative Assistant for the Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) Unit. Two months after entering the TSE program, Ms. Curnal was offered a full-time position at the SBWIB head office.
“All of the resources I was provided helped me tremendously with the job opportunity I was offered. I am appreciative of the opportunity and thankful to have been selected as the top candidate for such a prestigious company. The staff has been fully supportive in my transition and continues to encourage me on a daily basis. I now have a career and will continue to advance with all the knowledge I have acquired. The One-Stop has been my bridge to success!”
Meet Christina Curnal - INGLEWOOD
Workforce Challenge: Christina Curnal, 29, of Inglewood was at a crossroads in her life where she was no longer content with simply working miscellaneous jobs. As a single parent of four young children, Ms. Curnal wanted to start a career with a company that would pay enough for her to be considered “head-of-household” and provide stability for her family. Ms. Curnal was mourning the recent loss of her father, further complicating her attempts at work stability.
Workforce Solution: The Inglewood One-Stop provided Ms. Curnal with all the resources she needed to succeed. Ms. Curnal was provided with resources for childcare, as well as a transportation allowance while earning income through the program.
Meet Sogigie Sherfa - LOMITA
Workforce Challenge: Sogigie Sherfa, 18, of Lomita, a recent graduate of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, was seeking a part time employment opportunity. She came to Torrance One-Stop to inquire about the summer program, which provides first time work experience (clerical/recreational/maintenance/child care) assignments to youth ages 14-24 in various city government or community based organization settings. Youth will go through 20 hours of personal enrichment training and later are placed at worksites to work an average of 100 hours.
Workforce Solution: The City of Lomita was in need of a mature individual with basic computer and office skills and Ms. Sherfa came to mind. The One-Stop Staff set up an interview for her with City Clerk, Sandra Medina, and was offered the position.
Outcome and Benefits: While at City Clerk’s office, Ms. Sherfa learned how to archive City documents, learned to operate the switchboard system and occasionally interacted with City officials. Ms. Sherfa was appreciative of the opportunity she was given. She was grateful for the exposure she received and is now knowledgeable in how a government entity functions. She is taking this experience with her on her new journey as a college student at the University of California Berkley where she is majoring in Humanities and Community Service and with the hours worked this summer is able to pay for some of the expenses of college.
Meet Bryan Duran - MANHATTAN BEACH
Workforce Challenge: Bryan Duran, 31, of Hermosa Beach and had been working for CVS as a Loss Prevention Supervisor for more than four years before he was suddenly let go.
Workforce Solution: Mr. Duran began his road back to stable employment when he entered the Transitional Subsidized Employment (TSE) program after visiting the Carson Career Center. Mr. Duran admitted that his biggest challenge was working for minimum wage for eight months before he could get back on track to where he needed to be.
Outcome and Benefits: Mr. Duran spent the eight months of the TSE program at the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce
and was then hired on full-time as an Office Coordinator but has recently been promoted to Operations Coordinator.
“Michael Seale was a great help with everything including sending me updates on available jobs. He definitely made my time in the program as easy going as possible. From here I hope to make as many connections as possible to further my career. I am grateful for finding this position through the program.”
Meet Deidre Gustavson - REDONDO BEACH
Workforce Challenge: Deidre Gustavson, 52, from Redondo Beach, was laid off from Mattel in El Segundo where she worked as a Project Engineer for 10 years. The company was facing financial hardship. Ms. Gustavson went to the Inglewood One-Stop to gain new skills from training in order to reenter the workforce. Ms. Gustavson attended a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) information session, deemed eligible and enrolled as a Dislocated Worker shortly thereafter.
Workforce Solution: During the time Ms. Gustavson attended various workshops and received information regarding training providers found on the Intrastate Training Resource and Information Network (I-TRAIN), she was placed at UCLA Extension where she obtained a Certificate in Sustainability. The Certificate in Sustainability focuses on combining academics with real-life application in renewable energies and sustainable practices.
Outcome and Benefits: Ms. Gustavson’s certification, along with her existing experience allowed her to secure employment as a Cost Engineer in the toy development department with Hasbro Inc. She is presently earning $60 an hour.
“I am very happy and satisfied with all the services and training that I received from the Inglewood One-Stop’s staff. I hope to continue my education and further my career.”
Meet Cierra Washington - TORRANCE
Workforce Challenge: Cierra Washington, 30, of Torrance, is a mother of a two-year-old son. She had been working for Crossfire Marketing Group, a company that was contracted with IGS Energy. When Crossfire lost its contract with IGS Energy; Ms. Washington found herself out of a job. With a young child at home, Ms. Washington knew she had no time to waste in finding another job to sustain her and her young child.
Workforce Solution: Ms. Washington remembered the assistance she received from the Inglewood One-Stop that landed her employment, so she decided to go back to see if she might have the same result. She met with a job developer at the Inglewood One-Stop, who arranged an interview for her the very next day.
Outcomes and Benefits: Ms. Washington is now an Administrative Assistant for the South Bay Environmental Services Center and enjoys the daily professional interactions, as well as the stability and security of a full-time job. Ms. Washington has plans to attend college in the near future.
“Now I’m receiving so much knowledge on environmental programs and ways to preserve the environment. I’m also working with elected officials, which is interesting and exciting. I’m looking forward to what the future holds for me in this new career path.”