Oscar & Ma's Story
Oscar & Ma was founded by Scott Green, an Orange County entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and philanthropist who was inspired to create employment opportunities for people who are experiencing significant barriers to entry into the job market.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was causing increased unemployment, disproportionately among marginalized populations.
Scott’s vision was to create a nonprofit events company that employs and trains people from underserved communities, while also providing valuable marketing and event services to other nonprofits and organizations.
The company was launched in October 2020 with the goal of starting locally and expanding nationally to provide jobs and job training to thousands of people in need of sustainable employment.
“We are very pleased to be working with Oscar & Ma who is helping provide employment opportunities for Casa Teresa’s residents and alumni. Having a local non-profit like Oscar & Ma offer jobs and career training is a great asset to the women we serve.”
Lisa Wood Chief Executive Officer, Casa Teresa
Employing Underserved Populations
Oscar & Ma’s organizational mission is to provide job training and generate employment opportunities for people with barriers to employment, including the formerly incarcerated, foster youth, unhoused, and survivors of domestic violence.
In the United States:
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Formerly incarcerated individuals are unemployed at a rate of 27%.(1)
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Youth that age out of the foster system have an unemployment rate of 47% - 69%, depending on age and gender. (2)
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Unemployment among people who are unhoused ranges from 57% to more than 90%. (3)
Through our 12-month Workforce Academy program, attendees learn life and basic business skills, vocational training in hospitality, event management and marketing, or transfer to a partner organization to learn trade skills.
Oscar & Ma’s programs for employees include personal and professional development, exposure to a professional environment, and job placement services.
Sources
1) https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/outofwork.html
2) https://youthtoday.org/2017/12/the-economic-well-being-of-youth-transitioning-from-foster-c are/
3) Acuña & Ehrlenbusch, 2009; Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness, 2013; Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020
Academy Program
Job Training for the Underserved in Orange County
Partnering with CalOptima and other nonprofits, Oscar & Ma’s Academy Program trains underserved individuals in life, work, and vocational skills, so they can achieve sustained employment in a professional career.
Program Details
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Anticipated 100+ Academy Clients will be enrolled in 2024.
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Each Client has a case manager to plan the curriculum and track progress.
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Meetings and classes take place at The HUB Resource Center in Orange.
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Clients will begin graduating in early 2024.
Curriculum
Coursework is four quarters with different curricula for each segment:
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Q1: Life Skills
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Q2: Work Skills
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Q3: Vocational Training (marketing, events, hospitality)
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Q4: Ongoing training, internships, job placement
Partnerships
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5-year contract with CalOptima to subsidize wages, support costs, and refer Clients began on November 1, 2023.
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Partners who will be sending Clients to Oscar & Ma for training include The HUB Resource Center, Casa Teresa, Thomas House Shelter, Tiyya, Voice of the Refugees, and CalOptima.
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Clients who are interested in trade fields will be referred to organizations like Chrysalis and Hope Builders.
Academy Partners
Our Commitment to Social and Economic Sustainability
We are committed to expanding opportunities for people today and tomorrow. Our focus is on fair labor practices, diversity, equality, work-life balance, empowerment, community engagement, philanthropy, and volunteerism.