CA RISE at Work: Expanding Horizons and Opportunities
At SLA, we have always believed in creating lasting impacts, not only in the communities we serve but also in the opportunities we provide to individuals facing barriers to employment. Thanks to the support from the CA RISE Grant, we’ve been able to take significant strides toward diversifying our revenue stream, expanding our reach, and opening new doors for our participants.
The Power of CA RISE Grant
The CA RISE Grant didn’t just provide us with funding, it equipped us with the tools and technical support necessary to elevate our social enterprise. Through informative meetings, hands-on webinars, and focused trainings, we were able to gain critical insights into how to partner effectively with government agencies. These opportunities empowered us to develop a comprehensive sales pitch and program tailored to government agencies, allowing us to market our services more effectively and strategically.
One of the significant outcomes from this process was the creation of a detailed outreach plan by our dedicated project manager. This plan became the blueprint for expanding our network and connecting with key players in the urban forestry and sustainability sector. As a direct result of this strategic approach, we were able to form a new partnership with City Plants, a City of Los Angeles initiative that provides free trees to LA residents.
A New Milestone with City Plants
Our collaboration with City Plants is a milestone we are particularly proud of, as it marks our very first engagement with the City of Los Angeles. Through this new contract, SLA has been entrusted with:
Planting 50 trees across various neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
Providing 250 trees for adoption to LA residents, furthering the city's urban greening efforts.
Hosting two educational events over the next six months to raise awareness about tree care and urban sustainability.
This partnership is a critical step toward achieving our mission of enriching communities through greening projects. It has also solidified our position as a trusted organization capable of executing large-scale urban forestry initiatives.
Expanding Opportunities for Our Participants
The true success of this endeavor lies in the opportunities it brings to our participants. Many of the individuals who go through our pre-apprenticeship program face significant employment barriers. This new contract with City Plants creates not only employment opportunities but also skill-building experiences that can be leveraged in future roles.
Through this project, our participants will be involved in every step of the process—tree planting, community outreach, event coordination, and tree adoption events. They will gain invaluable experience working on a government-funded project, improving their knowledge of urban forestry, and honing their technical and interpersonal skills. These experiences will help them build a foundation for sustainable careers, opening doors to union work, environmental jobs, and further community development roles.
A Future Full of Potential
The impact of the CA RISE Grant extends far beyond the immediate results. As we continue to diversify our revenue streams and strengthen our relationships with governmental agencies, we are also broadening the scope of possibilities for the people we serve. This initiative represents the first of many to come, as we build more robust partnerships and create more opportunities for participants to thrive in the green sector.
At SLA, we are incredibly grateful for the continued support from the CA RISE Grant, City Plants, and all those who have made these transformative steps possible. We are excited about what the future holds and are committed to ensuring that these opportunities continue to grow—both for the communities we serve and the individuals who help make our work possible.
This is only the beginning, and we’re thrilled to be on this journey toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.