UNITE-LA joined a delegation of more than 100 leaders from the business, education and nonprofit sectors in Washington, D.C., as part of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce’s ACCESS D.C. The focus was on advocating for investments in rebuilding Los Angeles, preparing for global sporting events, and education and workforce policies promoting economic growth, considering shifting federal priorities and budget constraints. Amid historic federal workforce reductions and restructuring—where agencies like the Departments of Education and Labor are facing massive staff and budget cuts—these conversations took on increased urgency. Federal funding uncertainties threaten critical student success programs, workforce training initiatives, and economic mobility pathways for multilingual learners, undocumented students and historically marginalized communities.

Last month, the Los Angeles Digital Equity Action League (LA DEAL), convened by UNITE-LA and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), hosted a Broadband Leaders convening for 10 municipal leaders from across L.A. County, providing a technical training session on permitting through the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) Learning Community.

UNITE-LA’s Programs Team hosted its Spring Partner Open House in early February with 72 community-based organizations (CBOs), educators, training partners and others.

The Programs and Marketing & Communications teams are excited to introduce our new, volunteer newsletter, Together We Thrive: Be a Face of Change in Our Community!

A few weeks ago, UNITE-LA was proud to issue our 2024 Impact Report. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, funders, volunteers and community for their invaluable support in 2024. Your contributions made our work possible, and we are proud to showcase our collective impact in this report.

UNITE-LA’s Workforce Systems Team worked with the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) on a research study for the past year to assess the full cost needs of youth workforce programs in Los Angeles.

Speaking of national newsletters, UNITE-LA’s national team is now also assembling national criminal justice workforce and education trends in a newsletter, and you can check out the first one for 2025 here.

UNITE-LA’s National Strategic Partnerships Team has returned with the first News to Know of 2025 with a monthly dose of national workforce and education trends and regional initiatives.

In February, UNITE-LA facilitated "Exploring the Learner's Journey and Roles of Community Partners," a national webinar for chamber of commerce professionals.

Over the past two years, UNITE-LA’s National Strategic Partnerships Team has been providing technical assistance to 11 rural chambers of commerce across the country through ACCE Foundation’s Economic Mobility for Rural Workers cohort.