Dimitri Smith is a Business Partnerships Specialist at the San Diego Workforce Partnership. Here he tells a little bit about himself, both personally and professionally.
If you had $30,000 to donate to a workforce development program, what would you want done with it?
I’d like to provide support for single parents who are entering the workforce with a need for childcare. It’s extremely tough for some parents to reenter the workforce because childcare may not be affordable without a source of income.
What do you like best about working in workforce development?
The fact that I went from being a recipient of one of the programs to an official employee of SDWP. From that experience, I am able to see all of the hard work that is put in behind the scenes. I am also able to see the huge impact that we have within our community and how essential we are to the San Diego region. I am now in a position where I have the power, means, skills and opportunity to help serve those who were so supportive of me when first entering the workforce.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
Family is everything to me and since I am not from California, whenever I am not at work I enjoy video chatting and talking with my family. I like to hang out with friends and explore California. I play basketball in my free time as well. In addition, I enjoy volunteering at Sharia’s Closet, which provides free, gently used emergency clothing to individuals and families who are experiencing financial hardship or crisis.