Work Week: LA:RISE & GSI
At Good Soil Industries (GSI), we believe in offering more than just a paycheck. We believe in providing opportunities, stability, and hope for neighbors who’ve faced significant challenges and barriers in their lives. In partnership with LA:RISE, we’re making this vision a reality. Working side-by-side every week with our team, Maggie from LA:RISE brings invaluable resources and passion to support the hard-to-hire community. Maggie put it best: “We’re not just providing jobs; we’re offering hope, stability, and a path forward for people who’ve often been overlooked. Many of the individuals we serve have faced repeated barriers in life, and the job market can be hard to break into alone.”
The collaboration between LA:RISE and Good Soil Industries began with a shared mission to empower individuals facing barriers like homelessness, incarceration, and substance use, helping them gain stable employment and move towards self-sufficiency. LA:RISE, a citywide initiative working with social enterprises, saw GSI as a natural fit due to our commitment to creating supportive environments, offering job training, and providing personal development resources. This partnership brings together the best of both worlds: while LA:RISE supplies essential resources—such as funding for transportation, housing assistance, and job-related accommodations—GSI provides a structured, growth focused environment. Participants benefit from hands-on experience, regular assessments like the Job Readiness Assessment, and mentorship from GSI staff. “It’s not just about offering services, it’s about building relationships and empowering people,” Maggie shared.
Maggie’s journey with LA:RISE began with a passion for social work and a desire to help people. While she was assigned to work with GSI, she quickly realized how well-aligned her values were with those of the GSI team. “Meeting the GSI team was like meeting family,” she said. “We all have this common drive to help people, especially those who need a second chance, and it’s made my work here so rewarding.”
Maggie works from the KCB office weekly, and because of that, has strengthened her connection with both the GSI team and the participants. “Putting a face to LA:RISE has made the experience personal for everyone,” she explained. This consistency builds trust and shows participants that they are valued and supported. “There’s an ‘I know you, I care for you, I want the best for you’ attitude,” she said. “For the community we serve, knowing that we genuinely care makes all the difference.”
Maggie’s work is filled with stories. She recalled one memorable participant, Luke Boitnott. Facing homelessness and struggling to find stability, Luke showed real perseverance, eventually serving as an interim route manager. This role helped him build confidence, and he soon applied for a Yardman position with a partner employer. The journey wasn’t easy: Luke had to pass background checks, complete physical exams, and earn his driver’s license. GSI supported him every step of the way—even Maggie’s husband pitched in, driving him to his license test. Today, Luke is employed, has secured housing, and purchased his own car, a reminder of what can be achieved through collaboration and determination.
“Stories like Luke’s remind me why this work is so important,” Maggie said. “It’s about restoring dignity and self-worth, not just employment.”
Assisting hard-to-hire people also comes with its own set of challenges. Maggie acknowledges that helping participants rebuild their lives can sometimes be disheartening, especially when setbacks happen. However, being part of a supportive team with GSI makes all the difference. “We remind each other of the bigger picture and keep pushing forward,” she shared, and it’s obvious that her and the GSI team know that each small step is part of a bigger journey.
Looking to the future, both LA:RISE and GSI hope the partnership will grow to support even more individuals in their pursuit stability. “Our long-term vision includes creating an extensive network of employer partnerships,” they explained. “By connecting with local businesses open to second-chance hiring, we can build a stronger pipeline of job opportunities.” Additionally, they envision expanding the services available to participants, increasing access to housing assistance, mental health resources, and skill-building programs. “Our hope is to offer more than just job training—we want to create a comprehensive support system that empowers individuals to transition from training to sustainable employment.”
Together, LA:RISE and Good Soil Industries are creating life-changing opportunities for people who need them most, offering not just employment, but a community of support and hope for a brighter future.
If you’re interested in supporting our GSI program and help continue the journey, give our our office at 562-804-2189. We’re open M-TH from 9am-4pm.
See you next week!