This month’s partner spotlight belongs to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). CSAC has been a steadfast partner of UNITE-LA since our founding, working together to ensure L.A. area students have equitable access to financial aid information and abundant opportunities to complete applications to claim aid. Through our L.A. Cash for College partnership, we annually serve thousands of students and families in filling out the FAFSA or CADAA and providing scholarships and educational materials. As fierce advocates for students across the state, CSAC has also led in the development and equitable changes to financial aid programs that we are proud to support and encourage our partners to do the same. Thank you to the CSAC team for all you do!

We are delighted to announce that Ajay Lucas, Senior Manager of Public Policy at UNITE-LA, has officially joined the Board of Directors at Californians Together.

This month’s partner spotlight belongs to the Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges with a huge thank you to Kelly King (Executive Director of the Foundation and Chief Advancement Officer for the District) for graciously organizing and sponsoring the Supporting L.A.'s Parenting College Students event held at L.A. Valley College’s Family Resource Center in May.

UNITE-LA supported the R.E.A.L. Coalition’s Education and Workforce Development Committee meeting last month, which focused on discussing regional workforce development programs with potential for replication.

Our partners at New CA Coalition featured an interview with UNITE-LA’s Senior Vice President of Education Policy and Public Affairs, Sonia Campos-Rivera, in their publication recently, showcasing our work to uplift young Angelenos and promote economic mobility in the region.

Recently, members of our National Strategic Partnerships Team were in Baton Rouge, LA, for an annual meeting where chamber professionals who champion education and talent initiatives gathered from across the country. Together, this powerful brain trust discussed innovative solutions and emerging best practices, exploring the chamber's role in vital issues including public safety, child care and affordable housing.

On June 18, UNITE-LA launched its second cohort of My Pathway to Health (MPTH) with 41 participants and more than 25 volunteers, including speakers, mentors, mock interviewers and networkers.

UNITE-LA launched its sixth cohort of Step into Tech (the same day as My Pathway to Health) with 24 participants. The cohort ranges, with all levels of experience, and they dove into learning about and practicing social networking skills via speed-networking sessions, as well as an informative LinkedIn session. Career exploration in computer networking, cybersecurity and data science was a big hit.

In June, UNITE-LA hosted its second Health Sector Collaborative of 2024. Twenty-four attendees joined the call including Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, UCLA Health, LAUSD, the L.A. LGBT Center, Goodwill, Monrovia Schools, Worker Education and Resource Center, ACG-Training Management & Consulting, TELACU and LACOE.

In June, members of UNITE-LA joined CIV:LAB and a community of grantees, funded by the CIV:LAB Climate Fund, at the Beehive in South Los Angeles to highlight our work and celebrate CIV:LAB's investment in our work.