Faces of Workforce

Many foster youth face unimaginable challenges and often feel alone. Domenico, a former foster youth, experienced many hardships but, with support from a caring home and the San Diego foster system, overcame them. He now aims to get an education and improve his future.

After serving over 16 years in prison, Bernard was released on parole and arrived in San Diego ready to start anew. He connected with the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s services and quickly engaged in the Peer Support Specialist program and Prison to Employment (P2E) services. With housing, career and emotional support, Bernard rebuilt his life with purpose. Today, he keeps giving back to his community, building on the transformation he started during his time in prison.

After two decades away from paid work to raise her children, Cat reclaimed her independence—and her career—through free training, resume workshops, and one-on-one career navigation offered by the San Diego Workforce Partnership. With support and encouragement, she is earning her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from SDSU and stepping back into the workforce with clarity, skills, and confidence.

At just 15, United was sentenced to 50 years to life and spent two decades in a maximum-security prison before accessing therapy and rehabilitative programs at a lower-security facility. Through self-awareness and support from initiatives like the San Diego Workforce Partnership Reentry Services, he transformed his life. Now a case manager at Restoring Citizens, he helps others reintegrate after incarceration. 

After 16 years in administration, Iris from El Cajon unexpectedly found a passion for SUD counseling. Discovering an apprenticeship program through SDWP, she jumped at the chance to enhance her education. Now registered with CADTP and preparing for her state exam, Iris is on the path to becoming a certified addiction counselor.

Samantha worked a series of minimum-wage jobs, including her role as a shift lead at Denny’s. For nearly two decades, she found herself trapped in a cycle of low-paying jobs with little opportunity for advancement. After being released from custody, Samantha was on probation, and her criminal record frequently hindered her ability to find meaningful employ.

After dedicating 11 years to care for her parents, Lorena was ready to reenter the workforce. But 10 days after her mother passed away, the January 2024 floods hit San Diego. To add to the chaos, Lorena also faced issues with unemployment. That’s when Lorena connected with the SDWP and its flood relief initiative. Now, Lorena is working part-time as a caregiver again.

Nine years ago, Denise Roberts found herself at a crossroads in her career. She was unemployed and struggling to navigate a job market that had changed drastically.

31-year-old Ismael Gutierrez was on the hunt for certifications in UX design. After discovering the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Front-end Development certificate and the Google UX Design certificate programs and reading the great reviews from other San Diegans who benefited from them, he knew it was the best place to increase his skills as a web developer.

Dawn Renae Rasmussen’s journey in healthcare administration has been one marked by dedication, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of growth. As she navigated through a changing industry, she found the need to take a step further in her career and enrolled in the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s (SDWP’s) Healthcare Administration Pathways program. Through the program, she began studying the healthcare revenue cycle through UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies.