This October, UNITE-LA's Research and Evaluation team conducted a vital focus group with foster and former foster youth members of the Opportunity Youth Collaborative’s Young Leaders group.

As a partner of the California State University, Dominguez Hills, Workforce Integration Network (CSUDH-WIN) program and a key stakeholder in shaping the future of broadband and digital inclusion, UNITE-LA was recognized for our work and partnership at the Celebration of Digital Inclusion Success event hosted by CSUDH.

UNITE-LA's National Strategic Partnerships team shared October’s learnings on local chamber education and workforce trends in their monthly News to Know.

Last month, UNITE-LA and the LA Partnership for Early Childhood Investment collaborated with Pathways LA to host a forum featuring candidates from two key races in L.A. County: Assembly District 54 and the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education Seat 5.

In October, the L.A. Digital Equity Action League (LA DEAL) team presented to community members via a Digital Equity Los Angeles (DELA) Coalition interactive Zoom webinar to various Spanish-speaking individuals who were interested in learning more about expanding digital equity in the L.A. region.

UNITE-LA was thrilled voters supported Measure A in the recent election.

In October, the California Cradle-to-Career Data System (C2C) held its two fall Advisory Board meetings, on each of which UNITE-LA has appointed representatives. Both appointments span three-year terms, which began last fall. Dr. Lisa Catanzarite, UNITE-LA's vice president of Research and Evaluation, sits on the Data and Tools Advisory Board (DTAB), while Adam Gottlieb, UNITE-LA's director of Postsecondary Strategy and Policy, sits on the Community Engagement Advisory Board (CEAB).

In October, UNITE-LA’s summer Step into Tech program concluded with eight participants completing Part 2 of the program, earning tech certifications—our highest number to date. Three participants earned CCST Cybersecurity Lifetime Certifications, one earned a Networking CCST Lifetime Certification, and four earned certifications in Python Essentials (PCEP Exam) and Data Science through the Cisco Networking Academy. These certifications provide participants with valuable skills to help them stand out in today’s competitive job market.

We are excited to share some wonderful updates about UNITE-LA’s My Pathway to Health participants and the impressive milestones they have achieved over the past month.

The critical need for essential health services remains a top priority within our LAUSD Community Schools Initiative (CSI), as revealed by both comprehensive site-based assets and needs assessments (ANA) and real-time feedback from students, families and school staff. These insights underscore the pressing need for seamless service delivery and focused efforts to address gaps. In September, UNITE-LA, as conveners of the Community Schools Steering Committee (CSSC), launched the Alliance for Opportunity (AFO), a subcommittee dedicated to enhancing much needed comprehensive support for students and families across the CSI.