By Gordon Chavez, Financial Advisor
Lived Experiences Community Center
610 N. Redondo Dr., Suite A
Oceanside
One of the things I’ve learned through community work is that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. That’s why I’ve been grateful to support Oscarin Ortega and the team at Lived Experiences on a new workforce cohort designed to help young adults build real skills, real confidence, and real financial stability.
This cohort isn’t just about getting a job. It’s about preparing people for long-term success—at work and in life.
What Makes This Cohort Different
The Opportunity Young Adult Workforce Pathways Cohort blends workforce readiness, financial education, and personal development into a structured, supportive experience. Over the course of the program, participants engage in:
- Career exploration and self-awareness
- Résumé building and interview practice
- Workplace safety, professionalism, and OSHA-10 certification
- Hands-on financial literacy tied to real-life decisions
- Certifications and employer exposure, including CPR
Lived Experiences founder Oscarin Ortega shared, “This workforce cohort brings real, practical value to the community by preparing people with skills that translate directly into stable jobs and local economic growth. More importantly, it moves us a step closer to creating self-sufficiency and generational wealth for families who have historically been left out of these opportunities.”
Says Carolena Enayati, the CEO of Response Ready, LLC, “This cohort strengthens the community by turning preparedness into possibility.”
The program offers skills and focuses on certifications, which people need to get a job but may not be aware of.
“When young adults gain practical skills, recognized certifications, and the confidence to act in real-world situations, they become more employable, more reliable, and more invested in the well-being of those around them,” says Enayati. “Programs like this don’t just prepare participants for jobs, they prepare them to show up as leaders in moments that matter.”
Workforce development isn’t just about employment. It’s about dignity, confidence, and building long-term financial stability.
