Faces of Workforce

Valerio Pillado enrolled in Breaking Barriers San Diego in 2016. Here is his story in his own words. Before I came to Breaking Barriers San Diego, I was having a lot of problems finding and keeping a job. I was

Established in 1980 in a small garage woodshop, Spooner’s Woodworks has grown to be a premiere architectural woodwork firm serving all commercial markets, with a focus on tenant improvements, primary/secondary education, military, public works, medical and hospitality sectors. It has grown so much that a year ago

When Alicia Vasquez found out she’d been placed at the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP) for job shadow day during her senior year, she wasn’t sure what to expect. It is thanks to that experience, however, that Alicia learned about CONNECT2Careers

When Mark Bradley first heard about Breaking Barriers (BBSD) he was doing his best to get back on his feet. Mark was out of work and receiving substance abuse services treatment from Mental Health Systems’ San Diego Center for Change, funded through the

Hailing from Torreón, Coahuila in Mexico, Ernesto de Leon had already completed an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and a master’s in quality and productivity when he fell in love with partner Jesse Cruz 10 years ago. He decided to move

The Arc of San Diego, one of the largest service providers for children and adults with disabilities in San Diego County, finds employment for people with disabilities in a variety of positions and industries throughout the community.  Thanks to a SDWP

After a career in the food and beverage industry, U.S. Navy veteran Daniel Martinez realized that though he was good at his job as a manager and the industry had provided him with great opportunities, the long hours and low

When Desiman Miller first entered the East Mesa Reentry Facility, he promised himself he’d make the most of his time there. He enrolled in over 25 classes and spent his free time reading books focused on learning new skills and

Marcia Knabe had a background in corrections, but wanted to do less physically demanding work. She came to the East County Career Center, an America’ Job Center of California (AJCC) site, determined to continue working but in a less physical

In some ways, Andrea is like many other high school students; she enjoys going to the movies with friends and works at a restaurant in her spare time. In other ways, she is very much unlike many of her peers.