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St. Joseph Center Workforce Reentry program participants in a classroom, smiling and celebrating during a training session, July 2025
Empowerment Jan 1, 2022

Workforce Re-Entry Barriers for Black Angelenos with Lived-Experience of Homelessness

Black Angelenos with lived experience face unique barriers to workforce re-entry. In partnership with USC’s Homelessness Policy Research Institute, St. Joseph Center’s Lived-Expert Advisory Board explores systemic challenges and solutions for equitable career pathways.

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Workforce Re-Entry Barriers for Black Angelenos — By St. Joseph Center’s Lived-Expert Advisory Board, in partnership with USC’s Homelessness Policy Research Institute. Black Angelenos with lived experience face unique barriers to workforce re-entry. This policy brief explores the systemic challenges and solutions needed to build equitable career pathways and lasting stability for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The report was developed by St. Joseph Center’s Lived-Expert Advisory Board in partnership with USC’s Homelessness Policy Research Institute. Authored by Elijah Dow, it provides recommendations for policymakers, service providers, and community leaders committed to equity and systemic change. Note: The PDF uses the term “homelessness” to reflect policy and research language. At St. Joseph Center, we use person-first language such as “experiencing homelessness” or “currently unhoused.”

📄 Download the Full Report (PDF)

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