California: Governor Newsom provides $11 million to organizations helping underserved job seekers find training and employment
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Jul 11, 2025

Governor Newsom provides $11 million to organizations helping underserved job seekers find training and employment

What you need to know: Governor Newsom is announcing that the California Employment Development Department is awarding $11 million to help six California organizations connect underserved adults — including veterans, people with disabilities, and at-risk young adults — with job training and career development services.

SACRAMENTO — A nearly $11 million grant will help six California-based organizations develop and deliver job training and career development services to Californians facing some of the most significant barriers to finding employment. This includes veterans, people with disabilities, English-language learners, the long-term unemployed, workers over the age of 55, and at-risk young adults who are not in school or are unemployed. According to a national Georgetown University study, Jobs for All, there are approximately 27 to 35 million individuals who want to work but face significant barriers (such as poverty, disability, or long-term unemployment) to getting hired.

In California, investments like the Employment Social Enterprise program supports Governor Newsom's Master Plan for Career Education, which aims to bridge the gap and equip all students and workers with the tools necessary to achieve stability through good-paying jobs.

"Every Californian deserves the opportunity to pursue a meaningful career. This investment advances California's Master Plan for Career Education and California Jobs First by expanding access to career pathways for Californians who've historically faced systemic barriers. It's a step toward a more inclusive and opportunity-rich economy for everyone."

Governor Gavin Newsom

"The Employment Social Enterprise Program brings jobs and dignity to Californians who've been left out of the workforce by connecting them to real work, supportive services, and long-term opportunity. These grants help mission-driven businesses grow while unlocking potential in communities too often excluded from the labor market."

Stewart Knox, Secretary of Laboy & Workforce Development

"By providing opportunities for those who have been overlooked in society, we're helping more Californians build lasting careers that strengthen our workforce," said EDD Director Nancy Farias.

These awards from the Employment Development Department (EDD), in coordination with the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, are part of the Employment Social Enterprise program.

Employment Social Enterprises are businesses that sell goods and services and provide transitional jobs and support to people breaking through employment barriers. Grant funds focus on transitioning individuals into stable, good-paying jobs — where they can earn wages, gain work experience, improve job skills, and access supportive services. Supportive services may include housing assistance, childcare access, mental health services, job coaching, and more.

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The Employment Social Enterprise program is a part of the California Jobs First initiative. In partnership with its 13 economic regions, the State is investing in job creation, industrial strategy, and economic development initiatives, to create a more equitable economy that works for all Californians.

What they're saying

Jeff Negrete, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno: "At Catholic Charities, we've always been here to meet immediate needs — food, clothing, and critical support in moments of crisis. But this grant allows us to do something more. It gives us the opportunity to offer a true hand up. Our mission calls us to serve, advocate for, and empower those in need, and this program truly brings empowerment to life. With this workforce development program, we can help people take real steps forward — to find meaningful work, to experience the power of the paycheck, and to help them gain the tools necessary to shape a better future."

Will Oliver, President & CEO, Fresno County Economic Development Corporation: "We're thrilled to receive this EDD grant. It's a critical investment that will allow us to expand access to high-quality careers, providing vital talent for our growing businesses and ensuring job seekers from social enterprises can step into good-paying, sustainable employment."

Kerry Doi, PACE President & CEO: "TEACH Track represents an intentional investment in the people and future of Los Angeles. By connecting underserved job seekers to meaningful, quality careers in early childhood education, we are strengthening families, the workforce, and the community."

Elisabeth White, Founder, Plan of Action: "Our mission is to open doors for autistic talent in the creative industries by building an inclusive, industry-focused employment pipeline. By bringing animation jobs back to Los Angeles, we're showcasing the outstanding talents and contributions of neurodiverse individuals."

Jessica Filbrun, CEO Stanislaus Equity Partners: "We have a unique mission and opportunity, through California Employment Development Department's Social Enterprise Grant to catalyze social enterprise incubation, increase job training models, and create employment opportunities. This truly mobilizes regional partnerships to develop creative, low-cost housing solutions through the development of a regional San Joaquin Valley modular home manufacturing facility."

Maria Kim, President & CEO, REDF: "This program goes beyond just creating jobs; these grantee organizations help restore dignity, expand opportunity, and build a more inclusive economy. Inspired by the ESE [Employment Social Enterprise] model that leverages the power of real work experiences as a critical first step, the California Employment Social Enterprise WIOA program supports 6 innovative organizations as they unlock economic mobility and workforce equity for some of our most vulnerable Californians. REDF is honored to help these organizations to grow and to surface economic mobility models that can be inspiration for the field."

Employment social enterprise program awardees
  • Fresno County: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno, $1.91 million; The Economic Development Corporation Serving Fresno County, $1.7 million
  • Los Angeles County: Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment, $1.91 million; Plan of Action, $833,829
  • Riverside County: Inland Southern California 211+, $1.73 million
  • Stanislaus County: Stanislaus Equity Partners, $1.91 million
  • Statewide: REDF, $978,735

An additional $1 million has been awarded to REDF to provide technical assistance and strengthen collaboration among the six awardees, share best practices, and support program development and implementation.

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These grants are funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Governor's Discretionary funds and are 100 percent federally funded by two separate awards totaling $9,999, $199.53, and $978,735.71 respectively, from the U.S. Department of Labor.

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