UNITE-LA recently celebrated the successful close of its inaugural California Accessing Economic Mobility (CAEM) Fellowship. Over six months, affinity organization leaders from across California came together to strengthen their capacity to advance job quality, workforce innovation and economic mobility for frontline workers.

Last month, UNITE-LA, the Bay Area Council and Jobs for the Future (JFF) convened business leaders at the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Annual Convention to discuss how shifting immigration policies and increased federal enforcement are affecting California’s workers, employers and small businesses.

UNITE-LA is once again leading business engagement for the Golden State for Kids campaign, working alongside a statewide coalition of early care and education advocates. From Oct. 19-23, we’ll host the second annual Child Care Backs My Biz Week, highlighting the essential role child care plays in supporting workers, businesses and California’s economy.

UNITE-LA’s Immigrant Workforce Hub is highlighting perspectives from employers and business leaders on how immigrant workers strengthen businesses, support key industries and contribute to California’s economic growth.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 12, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:
Claudine Battisti

UNITE-LA CELEBRATES FIRST COHORT OF CALIFORNIA ECONOMIC MOBILITY FELLOWS ADVANCING JOB QUALITY ACROSS THE STATE

Pilot initiative equips affinity chambers to drive workforce innovation and economic mobility for frontline workers

One year after ICE raids in Los Angeles disrupted communities, impacted businesses and resulted in an estimated $1 billion economic impact to the County, UNITE-LA remains committed to supporting employers, workers and immigrant communities through advocacy, resources and engagement.

At the Bay Area Council Economic Institute’s June report release event, UNITE-LA President Alysia Bell highlighted the urgent need for cross-regional collaboration to strengthen communities and economic resilience amid increased immigration enforcement activities.

In May, UNITE-LA attended Access Sacramento, an annual fly-in event hosted by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce to connect business leaders and stakeholders with Sacramento officials.

UNITE-LA hosted a timely discussion on the role of affordability in the systems that shape our cradle-through-career ecosystem. Speakers explored how education and workforce policies/investments can be powerful levers for economic mobility.

In April, UNITE-LA sent a business advocacy letter to members of the state legislature to prioritize ECE investments such as: supporting an alternative reimbursement rate for providers that reflects the true cost of providing child care; preserving Gov. Newsom’s wildfire investment for child care infrastructure; and including the additional 44,000 child care spaces per state statute. Fifty-one business organizations from across California signed on to the letter, representing more than 800,000 employers statewide.