Tech Training and Small Business Incubation (TTSB)

Access to tech and creative industry employment

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Despite its economic vibrancy and diverse population, Los Angeles County has long been marked by discriminatory practices and policies that have disproportionately harmed communities of color. The city of Pomona, among the LA County areas hit hardest by the pandemic, faces above-average economic inequity. The COVID-19 epidemic has receded, but the epidemic of unemployment and underemployment in Pomona remains. Standard employment programs are falling short because they do not benefit many of our residents who are undocumented. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate in Pomona is 20.7%, significantly higher than California’s state average of 12% and the national average of 10.5%. Undocumented residents face unique challenges due to their status, including limited access to certain services, fear of deportation, and barriers to employment and housing. Legal and safe employment options are hard to come by.

With the recent passing of bill SB 956, the State Legislature has decriminalized sidewalk vending, aligning with Pomona City Council’s earlier drafted ordinance to legalize street vendors’ sales. Not only does SB 956 open opportunities for undocumented Pomona residents to start their own businesses, it also increases demand for portable point of sale technology (POS). EcoCiv, in partnership with Latino/Latina Roundtable (LTR), will train program participants on Square technology and its digital platform. After graduating from our program, participants will have an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), a business license, basic bookkeeping skills and the technological knowledge to start their own Square Point of Sale business. Immigrant justice is the burning issue for our majority Hispanic population, our Hispanic mayor, and many city leaders. Representatives from Amazon Web Services (AWS) have agreed to provide the technical training to help these business start-ups launch and sustain their operations. An award from LA2050 would supply essential technology and man power to ensure the success of this training program.

The launch of technology businesses by 40 undocumented residents in Pomona could spark innovation and economic activity across LA County. These enterprises would likely create job opportunities, bolster the local economy, and foster a culture of entrepreneurship within the community. Moreover, the integration of tech ventures run by undocumented residents could enhance diversity and inclusion in the tech sector, driving social impact and empowerment throughout the region.

As TTBS is tailored to meet the needs of undocumented residents in Pomona, it belongs to a broader, collaborative community-driven economic development initiative. EcoCiv and its partners―LTR, City of Pomona, and the Office of Violence Prevention and Neighborhood Wellbeing―is implementing approaches identified by the historically disinvested community to address economic issues. One of our key strategies is engaging our big “anchor institutions” (hospitals, universities, the school district, etc.), to shift from outsourcing services to large national corporations toward hiring local worker-owned cooperatives. Thus far we have successfully laid the groundwork for economic development initiatives, as evidenced to be successful. We have measured this by hitting our enrollment target of 60 participants to take part in Pomona Jobs Program (PJP). Continued Measurement and Impact will be indicated by 40 new businesses created by undocumented residents in Pomona.

The Latino-Latina Roundtable (LRT) embodies the values behind this project and has extensive experience with the methods being used. LRT has long focused on addressing unemployment and promoting the wellbeing of Latino/Latina workers. Building on the culture of mutual support within the Latino/Latina community, LTR will host the training at their offices, collaborate with EcoCiv in identifying and recruiting program participants, and continue to provide the cultural competency necessary for this program’s success.