EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ANGELENOS: City of Los Angeles Opens New Watts Full-Service Public Housing WorkSource Center

LOS ANGELES - The City of Los Angeles and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) opened the new Watts Los Angeles WorkSource Center on Friday, which will expand economic opportunity for Angelenos. HACLA is the only public housing agency in the nation that operates a certified, full-service WorkSource Center. This enhanced center will serve as a vital resource for career development, providing a range of employment and training opportunities for residents of Los Angeles.

For over 30 years, HACLA's Watts Los Angeles WorkSource Center has been a cornerstone of economic opportunity in South Los Angeles, serving more than 1,600 clients annually and successfully placing nearly 15,000 residents in high growth industries. The new facility offers a larger, upgraded space with expanded resources and enhanced wraparound services, enabling greater support for the community's evolving needs.

"We are committed to helping Angelenos connect to new career pathways and access life-changing opportunities," said Mayor Karen Bass. "The expanded Watts Los Angeles WorkSource Center is not just a resource for the present; it is an investment in the economic future of L.A."

KEY INFORMATION ABOUT THE WATTS LOS ANGELES WORKSOURCE CENTER:

• Location: 2212 E. Imperial Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90059

• Hours: Open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Saturday hours of operation will vary.

The HACLA Watts Los Angeles WorkSource Center is residents' gateways to comprehensive services, from job training and placement to business development and educational support. Funded by the City of Los Angeles Economic Workforce Development Department (EWDD) and other grants, personalized employment pathways will include:

• Job Training and Career Development:Equipping residents with the skills needed to thrive in today's job market.

• Youth Employment Programs:HACLA's partnerships with the City's HIRE LA Youth Employment Program and the County's Youth@Work initiative give young people valuable internships and job experiences, helping them explore diverse career paths while gaining essential workplace skills.

• Client Support Services:Offering ongoing assistance, from resume building to career counseling, so residents can stay on track toward their goals.

HACLA is proud of the thirty-two year history of its Watts/LA WorkSource Center which was started intentionally by the great Mayor Tom Bradley after the 1992 Los Angeles Uprising to address the grave inequities in economic opportunity for residents living in underserved communities like Watts and South Los Angeles," said Chief Development Officer Jenny Scanlin.

"Thank you to HACLA for their continued commitment to uplifting South LA's workforce. This WorkSource Center will assist local Angelenos impacted by job insecurity get enrolled into training and support services so they can get on a path to gaining access to employment in industries that will offer financial security and career advancement," said EWDD General Manager Carolyn Hull.

"The new Watts/LA WorkSource Center will be a crucial investment in our community, providing One-Five and South LA residents with access to essential training and career pathways. This center will open doors for individuals who deserve the opportunity to thrive in careers, strengthening both our local workforce and the families that make this community resilient," stated the Office of Councilmember Tim McOsker.

"Serving thousands of adults and youth in and outside of HACLA's public housing and Section 8 programs to successfully upskill, cross-skill and re-skill to enter the workforce, start a business and/or climb career ladders is what the Watts/LA WorkSource Center does best and this new facility will allow us to expand the array of services and offerings our clients deserve," said HACLA Commissioner De La Cruz.

The 9,000 square foot Center includes an active computer lab, business center, private counseling space and large training rooms. The center is located on HACLA-owned property shared with a 100-bed Bridge Housing site run by the Salvation Army and will be partnering with this shelter as well as other shelter and transitional housing sites to offer easy access to training and job resources for Angelenos coming out of homelessness.