JVS SoCal

JVSWorks® provides low- to moderate-income clients, 98% of whom face one or more barriers to employment, with proprietary career training in high-growth industries that offer income and professional growth. Training programs include BankWork$® (training in the financial services industry), HealthWorks® (training to earn licensure as a Certified Nurse Assistant) and ApartmentWorks® (participants earn the nationally-recognized Apartment Maintenance Technician certificate, using a curriculum created in partnership between JVS SoCal, the National Apartment Association and area property managers). Training is provided at no cost to the client and includes soft skills, technical skills, interviewing and networking skills and job placement assistance. Each program culminates in a graduation/job fair event where every graduate is interviewed by employer partners. This process greatly expedites the time from training to employment, with many graduates leaving the job fair with job offers.

JVS Veterans First began in 2010, recognizing the unique challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian employment. Working in partnership with employers, training providers, government entities and nonprofit organizations, JVS Veterans First effectively addresses and alleviates multiple barriers to employment, providing customers with career guidance and job skills development, job search assistance and video resumes; enrolling them in vocational training when appropriate; facilitating employer networking opportunities, and providing job retention follow up, to help our veterans successfully launch their civilian career. Since JVS Veterans First was established, close to 2,000 veterans have received one-on-one career coaching; 460 veterans have completed vocational training; and 1,145 veterans have transitioned to meaningful employment.

The Grossblatt Skills Assessment Center provides vocational rehab evaluations and work assessments for job seekers, including people with disabilities. Services are provided free of charge to low-income adults receiving public assistance. JVS SoCal is certified through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and is the only non-profit in Southern California that offers comprehensive vocational evaluations for the visually impaired. The evaluation includes assessments to identify transferable skills, evaluation of individual strengths and barriers, and identification of accommodations needed for the client to be gainfully employed.

The Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) and General Relief Opportunity for Work (GROW) are L.A. County programs that provide employment-related services to CalWORKs recipients to help them find employment, stay employed, and move on to higher paying jobs. This will ultimately lead them to self-sufficiency and independence. Both the GAIN and GROW programs conduct job fairs where highly motivated and qualified participants are available for interviews, evaluation and hiring on the spot. Participation in Job Fairs and other employer-related services is free for employers. GAIN and GROW offer candidates that are prepared and available for interviews on short notice. Applicants are pre-screened to meet employers’ needs.