Welfare-to-Work Class Focuses on Employers

A series of free courses designed to encourage small-business managers to hire welfare-to-work job seekers will be held at the Valley’s three community colleges this month and in October.

“This is worth supporting because it’s a good thing for businesses to do,” said Bonnie Herman, president of the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn., which is helping to organize the classes as part of its welfare-to-work advocacy program. “It helps everybody, both businesses and the workers trying to get off welfare and into a job.”

The courses--hosted by the Los Angeles City Housing Authority and the Community Development Department--will be held at Mission College in Sylmar, Valley College in Valley Glen and Pierce College in Woodland Hills.

Each 1 1/2-hour class is held on evenings and weekends. Classes will focus on tax-credit benefits available to businesses hiring welfare-to-work job applicants and provide information on customized training programs and placement screening.

Classes at Mission College are scheduled for Sept. 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Sept. 19 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. For reservations and information, call Diane McBride at (818) 837-2236.

Classes at Valley College are scheduled for Sept. 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Sept. 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. For reservations, call Lenny Ciufo at (818) 947-2941.

Pierce College sessions will be Oct. 14 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Oct. 17 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. For reservations, call Bonnie Caruso at (818) 348-4987.

Organizers encourage those interested to reserve a place as soon as possible.