Transforming Lives Through the Power of Work
Employment Programs and Services
Goodwill Southern California’s (GSC) mission is to “Transform Lives Through the Power of Work.” Each year, we provide career education, training, work experience and job placement services for over 37,000 individuals.
Our century-old organization is widely recognized as a leader in workforce development and employment services. (GSC) Goodwill SoCal serves job seekers across Los Angeles (N. of Rosecrans), Riverside & San Bernardino Counties. We specialize in serving populations with barriers to employment, including individuals with disabilities, veterans, opportunity youth, justice-involved individuals, and the homeless. Critical to our work is our In partnership with over 894 government, employer, education, and nonprofit partners, we provide a holistic array of workforce development programs and supportive services to help individuals secure meaningful employment, earn sustaining wages, and access opportunities for advancement.
Our mission is not just about getting people into jobs—it’s about launching careers, building futures, and creating pathways to long-term economic mobility. Together, we’re helping individuals overcome barriers, tap into their potential, and contribute to a thriving, more inclusive economy.
America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC)
Under the guidance of the federal Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the AJCC provides eligible candidates with case management, job training and placement services to prepare people to enter or re-enter the workforce.
Youth Programs
Opportunity Youth—young people ages 16 to 24 who are not in school and not working—face unique challenges, including limited access to education, job training, and stable employment. Without targeted support, they risk long-term disconnection from the workforce and economic instability. Workforce development services are essential to help Opportunity Youth build skills, gain work experience, and access career pathways that lead to meaningful, sustainable employment. Investing in these young people not only transforms individual lives but also strengthens communities and the future workforce.
Veteran Employment Program
The veterans we work with often face significant challenges when transitioning from military to civilian life. While they bring strong leadership, technical skills, and a commitment to service, they often encounter barriers such as mental health challenges, service-related disabilities, and difficulty translating military experience into civilian roles. Additionally, many find that navigating unfamiliar systems to access housing, healthcare, and employment support can be daunting. Goodwill recognizes that without targeted programs that recognize and build on their strengths, veterans risk prolonged periods of unemployment or underemployment. Our dedicated Veterans team, staffed by former vets, provides a holistic array of employment and supportive services to help veterans regain their independence, dignity and pride while securing meaningful and sustainable employment.
Serving Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Individuals experiencing homelessness face some of the most severe barriers to employment and economic stability. Across our service area of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, more than 83,300 individuals are unhoused, often due to a complex mix of rising housing costs, mental health challenges, job loss, and systemic inequities. Without stable shelter or consistent access to food, hygiene, transportation, and healthcare, securing and maintaining employment becomes extremely difficult. Many also lack identification or connections to supportive services that facilitate re-entry into the workforce. Targeted intervention and coordinated support are essential to breaking this cycle and fostering sustainable independence. Goodwill Southern California supports individuals experiencing homelessness through a compassionate, person-centered approach that meets people where they are—physically and emotionally. We bring workforce development services directly to shelters, encampments, and community-based locations, removing barriers to access and building trust. Participants receive paid training and transitional employment through our retail stores, which serve as a Social Enterprise and a supportive entry point into the workforce. In addition to skill-building and income generation, individuals are connected to critical resources such as housing assistance, mental health care, transportation, and legal services. Our holistic model promotes stability, dignity, and long-term economic mobility.
Serving Justice-Involved Individuals
California is home to more than 8 million residents with a criminal record – individuals who have served their time and are working hard to rebuild their lives. Many return home with a deep desire to contribute to their families and communities, yet are too often met with stigma, limited employment options, and restricted access to housing, education, and training. These systemic barriers can make reentry overwhelming and increase the risk of recidivism. Workforce programs serving this population must provide tailored job training, paid transitional employment, legal assistance, and employer engagement strategies that reduce stigma and create clear career pathways. Goodwill Southern California supports the reentry population with compassion, opportunity, and targeted services that create clear pathways from unemployment to transitional and, ultimately, permanent employment. Through programs like LA & IE RISE, participants build marketable and soft skills essential for job success while engaging in paid training and work experience that helps cover basic expenses and reduces financial barriers. Participants also receive wraparound support—including mental health care, housing, and legal services—to address challenges to stability. Job placements prioritize positions with benefits, reliable scheduling, and safe conditions, and which offer opportunities for advancement and economic mobility.
Manufacturing Sector Intermediary
Working with our partners, Goodwill Southern California has made a significant impact in coordinating workforce, educational and economic development systems to meet the needs of employers in key industry sectors. We focus on creating systemic change by customizing employer apprenticeship programs, aligning existing pre-apprenticeship programs, and communicating real-time employer needs with workforce, education, and economic development leaders.
Goodwill Southern California 342 N. San Fernando Road - Los Angeles, CA 90031
Toll Free: 888.4.GOODWILL or 888.446.6394 Local: 323.223.1211 TDD: 323.539.2097 | info@goodwillsocal.org For information on rights and services to persons with developmental disabilities contact:
Department of Developmental Services - 916.654.1987
Tax-ID # (95-1641441)