The Fires Are Over. The Recovery Isn’t.
The wildfires disrupted homes, workplaces, businesses and livelihoods across Los Angeles County.
And while the fires may be over, people are still putting their lives back together.
On Wed. September 23rd, LAEDC and Goodwill Southern California hosted the Wildfire Recovery Business & Job Expo at Goodwill’s Northeast Los Angeles WorkSource Center.
The four-hour event brought together job seekers, employers, small businesses, workforce organizations, business resource providers and community partners to connect people still recovering from the wildfires with jobs, business assistance and other resources.
Attendees could meet with employers actively hiring, connect with organizations providing business and recovery assistance, and participate in workshops and employment services.
More than 100 people and businesses came through the doors looking for resources, jobs and a path forward.
And what we saw reinforced something important:
Recovery doesn’t end when the fire is out.
Here are four things we learned.
1. People Are Still Putting Their Lives Back Together.
For people trying to get back to work, sometimes the first challenge is simply knowing where to turn.
At the Expo, Goodwill offered job-search help, resume and interview support, case management and connections to services that can help people overcome barriers to getting back to work.
Because recovery isn’t just about rebuilding structures.
It’s about helping people rebuild their lives.
2. Yes. Employers Are Still Hiring.
That was one of the clearest messages we heard.
AppleOne Employment Services told us they’re seeing activity in manufacturing, aerospace and small- and medium-sized companies.
And what do employers want most?
Reliability + communication.
The City of Pasadena also came with opportunities ranging from HVAC technicians and construction inspectors to engineering positions.
The opportunity is there.
The jobs are out there. People need a little help connecting to them.
3. Businesses Need Help Rebuilding.
Reopening after a disaster takes more than unlocking the front door.
Small businesses may need capital, technical assistance, financial guidance and the right partners to help them rebuild.
And when a local business comes back, the impact spreads:
Employees. Families. Customers. Neighborhoods.
As LISC told us at the Expo, bringing businesses back helps bring wealth, activity and revenue back into the community.
Business recovery is community recovery.
4. Recovery Takes a Coalition.
No single organization can help a community recover alone.
The Expo brought together employers, workforce organizations, business resource providers, government and community partners around a common goal: helping people and businesses move forward.
One organization may help someone prepare for a job. Another connects them with an employer. Another helps a business access resources. Another helps an employer find workers.
That’s what it means to work as a:
Coalition of One. Economy for All.
This Is What Economic Development Looks Like.This Is What Economic Development Looks Like.
Economic development can sometimes sound complicated.
But at an event like this, you can see what it means in people’s lives:
Helping people find jobs.
Helping employers find workers.
Helping communities recover.
And the help doesn’t end when the Expo ends.
Looking for Help Today?
Looking for a job?
Find job-search assistance, career services, resume and interview support and connections to employment opportunities.
Were you impacted by the wildfires?
Find additional recovery resources for Los Angeles County businesses, workers and communities.
→ Disaster Recovery Assistance
Want to stay connected to future jobs, business resources and events?
The Recovery Continues.
A job and business expo lasts a few hours.
Recovery takes much longer.
The real impact comes from what happens next.
Someone finds a job.
An employer finds a worker.
A business gets the help it needs.
A family takes another step toward rebuilding.
That’s why the work continues.
The fires are over. The recovery isn’t.
And Los Angeles is rebuilding together.
Coalition of One. Economy for All.
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