FREE & LOW-COST RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, EMPLOYERS & JOB-SEEKERS IN OUR DISTRICT
Though the national unemployment rate fell to 8.6% in November, African-Americans and Latinos continue to face 15.5% and 11.4% unemployment rates. Locally, Alameda County faces a 10.1% unemployment rate with the City of Oakland at 15.2%.
As we work to help our economy recover, our communities will count on small and local businesses to develop new jobs, provide sustainable employment, and help bring local dollars back to the community. We also want to connect those looking for jobs with the many resources that exist to help.
In our district, a wide range of resources are available to start-up new businesses, strengthen the success of existing local businesses, and provide access to meaningful employment. As the Chair of the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee, I want to make sure you know about free and low-cost services in our district.
Please visit the "Employment and Small Business Opportunities and Resources" section of my website often for current job openings and other helpful resources.
If you have additional information to share or questions regarding the resources below or about state legislative issues, please call my District Office at (510) 286-1670.
Sincerely,
Sandré R. Swanson
Assemblymember, 16th District
Start & develop your own local business!
Create & sustain local jobs in our neighborhoods.
Here are some of the local resources available to help new, small & local business owners:
- The Oakland Business Assistance Center: One stop for local resources for businesses in Oakland & the East Bay. (510) 238-7952
- Alameda Business Assistance Program: City of Alameda resources to guide you through the process of starting your own business. (510) 747-6895.
- Alameda County Small Business Development Center: Free small business counseling & low-cost seminars. (510) 208-0410.
- Inner City Advisors: Develops sustainable inner city businesses that create quality jobs, reinvest in the community and contribute to the local economy. (510) 271-0142.
- Women's Initiative: Training, funding & support for low-income women entrepreneurs. (510) 287-3100.
- AnewAmerica: New immigrant resources to start microbusinesses and build community economic health. (510) 532-5240.
- Youth Business America: One-on-one business mentoring & loan capital for young men and women. (510) 444-5511.
- CEO Women: Trains and funds immigrant and refugee women small businesses. (510) 836-3481.
- SCORE: Free small business counseling. (510) 273-6611.
Get employment & job-seeking resources!
Connect to current job openings.
Here are some of the local resources for finding and successfully securing a job:
- East Bay Works: A joint venture of public entities, non-profit agencies, and private organizations in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties helping businesses and job seekers meet their employment needs. (866) EBWORKS (329-6757)
- Oakland Workforce Investment Board: Employment and training programs and services in Oakland, including multi-lingual One Stop Career Centers throughout Oakland that help adult and youth job seekers gain employment and connect businesses with a qualified workforce. (510) 768-4473.
- The Alameda One Stop Career Center: This employee training and recruitment center, located at the College of Alameda, supports job-seekers and helps local businesses with training, pre-screening and interviewing of applicants, and with referrals of pre-qualified candidates. (510) 748-2208.
- America Works: Job training and placement for residents with a criminal record, or who are homeless, on government assistance, aging out of foster care, receiving disability funds, or living with HIV/AIDS. (510) 891-9100.
Employment Opportunities
As Chair of the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee and a strong advocate for the middle class, Assemblymember Swanson believes that Californians should have access to the resources they need to make a decent living and to thrive in a recovering economy. Please see below and check back weekly for a list of job announcements resources to help you and your family.
