Employment Social Enterprise: Creating Pathways to Economic Advancement

Youth economic advancement

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

EntreNous Youth Empowerment Services (EntreNous) provides wraparound services to address community needs, such as the lack of first jobs opportunities for marginalized youth, and empower youth (ages 16-24) to create sustainable change. Among our participants, 99% identify as people of color, 65% primarily speak Spanish at home, 45% are justice-system involved, and 98% are low income and lack a high school diploma. Income inequality in Compton is a multifaceted issue influenced by socioeconomic factors, historical inequities, and systemic barriers. According to the American Community Survey: 2019 5-year estimates, the unemployment rate for Compton youth ages 16-24 is a staggering 18.3%, exceeding the national threshold of 12%. Furthermore, Compton's poverty rate is 19.6%, which exceeds the threshold of 13.4%. Addressing these disparities requires initiatives/projects, such as employment social enterprises, that promote economic opportunity, social equity, and community resilience.

The project is an Employment Social Enterprise (ESE), a business that hires and trains people who are striving to overcome employment barriers including limited education, homelessness, incarceration, mental illness, and substance abuse. Through employment social enterprise, EntreNous will be able to: provide paid, on-the-job training to our hospitality students, driving economic growth and upward mobility; reduce our organizational dependence on donors; and reinvest profits into our workforce and leadership development programs – transforming more lives.
People overcoming barriers to employment possess valuable skills and talents that are often unrecognized. Their life experiences are often stigmatized, compounded by structural racism, creating nearly insurmountable hurdles. As the economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and the nation confronts deep-seated issues of racism and inequality, we have the opportunity to build a more inclusive economy. Investing in America's diverse talent pool, including individuals with the skills and drive to forge new paths, is essential; and ESEs serve as the gateway to opportunity. EntreNous’ ESE will offer transitional jobs with competitive wages, paired with supportive services and training that enhances skills, fostering stability and long-term success. As employees gain workplace readiness skills, the ESE will assist them in securing and maintaining meaningful, long-term employment.

The impact of our Employment Social Enterprise on Los Angeles County could be transformative in several ways:
Reduced Unemployment and Poverty: The enterprise would provide meaningful employment opportunities to individuals facing barriers to employment. By offering stable jobs with competitive wages and supportive services, it could contribute to reducing unemployment and poverty rates and narrowing the income gap in Compton.
Increased Economic Stability: Successful integration of marginalized individuals into the workforce strengthens economic stability at both individual and community levels. This could lead to decreased reliance on social services and increased consumer spending, benefiting local businesses and stimulating economic growth.
Skill Development and Career Advancement: Equip employees with skills that enhance their employability and open pathways for career advancement. This can also address skills gaps in the local workforce, supporting long-term economic development.

The Employment Social Enterprise (ESE) is a pilot project, but it is based upon the practices of successful social ventures and decades of research. To evaluate the success of the ESE, we will track transitions to unsubsidized employment, hours of training provided, number of participants reached, and number of jobs created. We will conduct quarterly interviews and surveys to collect quantitative and qualitative data, and revise the project accordingly; EntreNous will also conduct follow-up interviews.
To measure impact to the community, we will assess if there is an increase in: the number of jobs per capita, youth advancing to careers, and participants’ economic stability by the end of the grant period; as well as a decrease in the percentage of youth living below the poverty line, unemployed, and disconnected from work and school. We also believe that the ESE will be successful if participants develop a sense of confidence and persistence to achieve their economic goals.