By Bo Tefu | California Black Media
California is awarding nearly $11 million in grants to six organizations aimed at improving job training and employment opportunities for adults facing barriers to the workforce. The funding, provided by the California Employment Development Department (EDD), targets groups such as veterans, people with disabilities, English-language learners, older workers, and at-risk young adults.
“Every Californian deserves the opportunity to pursue a meaningful career,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “This investment expands access to career pathways for those who’ve historically faced systemic barriers.”
Because of Proposition 209, California is prohibited from using public funds to create programs or policies that give preference based on race, limiting the state’s ability to target funding to race-specific categories.
The grants are part of the Employment Social Enterprise program, which supports businesses that offer transitional jobs combined with supportive services like housing assistance, childcare, and job coaching. The program is designed to help participants gain work experience and move toward stable employment.
Among the recipients are Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno, Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment, and Stanislaus Equity Partners. Each will use the funds to expand job training efforts in their respective regions.
“This program focuses on populations often excluded from traditional job markets,” said Stewart Knox, Secretary of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. “By funding social enterprises, the state aims to bridge gaps in workforce participation.”
The grants come amid ongoing challenges for Californians who face poverty, long-term unemployment, or disabilities that limit access to stable jobs. A recent Georgetown University study estimated that 27 to 35 million people nationally want to work but encounter significant employment barriers.
The program’s funding is fully supported by federal dollars under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, distributed through the U.S. Department of Labor. An additional $1 million was awarded to REDF, a nonprofit that will provide technical assistance and facilitate coordination among the six grantees.
