Finding a job is extremely difficult, especially in the current job market.

💡There were 92,000 unanticipated layoffs in the U.S. in February, and the unemployment rate increased to 4.4% according to AP Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber.

We know that it can be especially difficult to find work if you’re from a marginalized group or community. For instance, the unemployment rate for Black and Brown people is even higher than the national average (5.8% of Black people and 5% of Latino people are unemployed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics).

We see the urgent need for employment firsthand at our community center. We’ve provided 11% of our L.A. community members with job resources and job listings.

U.R.U. helps provide job resources to underserved communities because we strive to create better lives and futures for these communities. We also have paid job training programs for community members interested in gaining job experience in office or environmental services, including for people who are justice-impacted.

March 12th, 2026

Justice-Impacted Community Members Deserve a Chance to Succeed

When we think about “justice,” we usually think about the system that’s supposed to help those who have been wronged. 

But we also know the reality— that injustice and inequality continue to grow and sweep people into harmful, often undeserving, circumstances.

In 2024, the National Registry of Exonerations’ annual report of exonerations revealed that 84% of the exonerees were people of color, with nearly 60 percent of the exonerees being Black. What’s even worse, these exonorees lost an average of 13.5 years to wrongful imprisonment for crimes they did not commit—over 1,980 years in total. 

Most incarcerated individuals who have committed crimes often end up back in prison, as The Council of Criminal Justice reported that 71% of incarcerated people exiting prison were rearrested.

The fact is this — Justice-impacted individuals, whether exonerated or not, often don’t have the resources they need to lead better, healthier, and more fulfilling lives after they serve time.

Programs that help reestablish a person’s place in society are crucial to helping justice-impacted individuals get back to their old lives or improve their situations.

And the impact of these programs proves this — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reported that justice-impacted participants in community reentry programs are considerably less likely to be arrested, convicted, or return to prison. 

U.R.U. is committed to providing the resources needed to help justice-impacted individuals improve their lives. Our Hired LA: Justice-Impacted Program provides justice-impacted individuals 18 years old and older with onsite paid job training, opportunities for direct job placement, intensive case management, supportive services, and more. 

We want to give justice-impacted individuals a chance to have brighter futures in a world that often leaves them behind.

February 17th, 2026

The presence of immigrants is vital to the cultural warmth of South LA, the U.S., and abroad. 

Families carry their traditions, languages, and shared histories across borders.

The corner markets, street vendors, music drifting from open windows, and murals painted on brick walls tell stories of resilience and hope.

In South LA, cultures don’t just exist side by side—they blend. 

Immigrants shape the local economy and embody the spirit of hard work that defines South LA. Small businesses, mom-and-pop shops, family-owned restaurants, auto repair garages, and community organizations are often built by determined people who arrived with little but ambition. 

They embody an entrepreneurial spirit rooted in resilience, pushing past language barriers, financial obstacles, and systemic setbacks to build something generational.

Ultimate Restoration Unlimited is committed to providing long-term support for immigrant communities with legal resources, food, housing, job opportunities, and more. We are doing our part to ensure that every individual who comes through our door, regardless of their background or walk of life, has a meaningful opportunity to succeed.

Because immigration is not just a part of South LA’s story—it’s the foundation of its identity, unity, and enduring warmth.

February 14, 2026

“Support Black-Owned Businesses" shouldn’t just be a catchy saying; it should be your lifestyle.

Because U.R.U is a proud, small Black-owned business and community center, we value and honor the historical significance of Black-owned businesses. We wouldn’t be able to provide our communities, which largely consist of Black people, with vital resources without the Black companies that came before us. 

Especially because the journey wasn’t easy.  

When Black people were emancipated from slavery in the late 1860s and began to “reconstruct” their new lives, extremely racist Jim Crow laws were created to prevent them from having access to properly rebuild their communities. 

When Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Greenwood District (a.k.a. “Black Wall Street” ) became one of the most affluent and thriving Black communities in the U.S. in 1921 due to the large amount of Black entrepreneurship, racist riots burned most of the district to the ground.

And yet, our community continued to persevere and succeed.

Today, there are 3.5 million Black-owned businesses, employing over 1.2 million people across the country.

Not only do Black businesses allow Black people a creative and impactful outlet to provide for their communities, but they also allow Black people a way to fight back against racist systems that don’t allow Black people and communities to flourish and succeed. 

This Black History Month, and beyond, support U.R.U.! 🤲🏾

We are a Black-owned business and non-profit that provides resources for the Black community and South LA’s community, including business mentorship and navigation resources 📈. Our resources and programs aim to provide Black and other marginalized communities with access to better lives and futures  📖🎓🌟

A donation to U.R.U. helps continue the legacy and success of both Black businesses and the Black community

September 12, 2023

New Report Finds 1 in 10 of Californians Aged 16 to 24 Not Working or Attending School.Approximately 4.7 million teens and young adults, ages 16-24 were living in California in 2020, and over half a million of them (11.3%) were neither in school nor working. This population of youth and young adults disconnected from school and work (“opportunity youth”) increased 20% between 2019 and 2021, according to the latest U.S. Census American Community Survey data.

The California Opportunity Youth Network has released a report in collaboration with New Ways to Work, that provides an updated analysis of California’s opportunity youth. The report cites racial and ethnic disparities among opportunity youth—Black young adults were disconnected from school and work at a rate of 17%, Hispanic/Latino as well as Native American young adults at 13%, White young adults at 11%, and Asian young adults at 7%.

The 12 most populous counties in California are home to three-quarters of the state’s 16-24-year-olds, and 62% of the opportunity youth population. The report provides the rate of disconnection among youth in these counties, with Kern having the highest rate (19.2% of 16-24-year-olds disconnected), Fresno having the second highest rate (15.8%), and San Bernardino the third (15.5%).

Lastly, the report summarizes data on how opportunity youth are disadvantaged. For example, disconnected teens and young adults are significantly more likely to have kids of their own and to receive government assistance, and less likely to have a computer or health insurance.

September 12, 2023

The Reproductive Health Equity Project for Foster Youth (RHEP) has launched Self-Taught, a podcast for foster youth that addresses sensitive topics such as sexual health, relationships, and identity.

The podcast can be found on YouTube and is hosted by former foster youth. Past episodes have focused on sexual and reproductive health, intersectional identity, consent, and reparenting, amongst other relevant topics. Episodes are meant to spark questions and provide resources, answers, empowerment, and community. Self-Taught is hosted by the RHEP youth advisory board at the National Center for Youth Law.

September 12, 2023

When

Tuesday, September 19

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM PT

Through the SoCalREN Multifamily Program, Participating Contractors can offer their multifamily property owner customers incentives to offset the cost of energy efficiency upgrades. If you work in HVAC, lighting, or water heating, you can work with SoCalREN to grow your business in the multifamily market. Please join us!

For more information, contact:

Shanette Anderson • P: (323) 632-4346 • E: WET@socalren.org

Tessa Charnofsky • P: (562) 841-2496 • E: tcharnofsky@isd.lacounty.gov

September 11, 2023

The County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) is issuing an urgent appeal to the public, asking for assistance in locating a concealed location where puppies and other animals are suspected to be enduring unsafe conditions.

Disturbing reports have recently come to our attention, suggesting that an undisclosed group of animals (approximately 100-200 animals) are facing neglect and inhumane conditions within the Lake Los Angeles community in the Antelope Valley. These revelations have evoked deep concern and distress among ardent animal advocates, and the Department is investigating.

DACC can confirm that 14 of puppies from this location came into our care from a third party with no knowledge of the location. Ten puppies had to be humanely euthanized due to advanced parvovirus disease that was beyond treatment. The Department’s medical team tried vigorously to save the four remaining parvovirus-positive puppies by providing supportive treatment of subcutaneous fluids, antibiotics, and extra feedings. However, their condition also deteriorated rapidly and they also had to be euthanized for humane reasons.

DACC wishes to prevent further tragedy, and the safety and well-being of the remaining animals at this unknown location are of paramount importance. Our organization initiates an imperative plea to the public, urging individuals with any pertinent information to step forward and aid us in identifying the location where these animals are being kept so the Department can assess their care and take action to prevent further suffering and death.

Should you have knowledge of this undisclosed location, have witnessed suspicious activities, or possess any information that could be instrumental in DACC’s investigation, we urge the public to contact us without delay.

Please call the DACC North County Communications Center at (661) 940-4191, or after hours (562) 940-6898.

DACC hopes that through collective community efforts, we can put an end to this heart-rending situation and get these animals the medical care, protection, and chance at adoption they so rightfully deserve.

REMINDER: The Los Angeles County Water Plan public comment period will close next week. The deadline to submit comments is Monday, September 18, 2023.

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The Draft Los Angeles County Water Plan was released for public comment on August 3, 2023. To view, download or comment on the draft plan, visit LACountyWaterPlan.org.

The County Water Plan envisions a resilient and reliable water supply for Los Angeles County. As water management agencies in the region strive to solve regional water supply challenges, the County Water Plan will set the stage for interagency partnership and collaboration to best leverage regional resources.

The vision of the County Water Plan can only be achieved through genuine teamwork among water management agencies, local stakeholders, and the public. To that end, LA County Public Works strongly encourages all interested agencies, organizations, and individuals to comment on the plan, sign up to receive updates on potential strategies and learn more about future involvement opportunities during County Water Plan implementation.

September 12, 2023

Los Angeles, CA-- At today’s meeting of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Chair Janice Hahn called for County CEO Fesia Davenport to dedicate an additional $12 million to the Care First Community Investment (CFCI) budget to meet the long-anticipated $300 million goal for the initiative.

In 2020, voters overwhelmingly passed Measure J, which directed the County to invest 10% of unrestricted local funds in community programs ranging from violence prevention, to mental health services, to youth development, to job training. When the Board created the Care First Community Investment Initiative to implement Measure J and carry out the will of the voters, the County’s CEO estimated that the annual CFCI amount would be $300 million, to be phased in over a three year period .

In 2021 and 2022, the County met the first benchmarks, dedicating $100 million each year to CFCI. However, this year’s spending plan presented to the board reflects just $88 million, bringing the total to $288 million.

“I’m frustrated that in our massive $43 billion budget, we could not find another $12 million to invest in this initiative,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We are talking about funding for programs our communities desperately need -- from mental health services to after school programs to violence prevention. This is our chance to right wrongs in communities that have historically been overlooked. We are just three years into this effort and we shouldn’t slow down now.”

The Board voted unanimously to approve the recommended spending plan for the $88 million this year, while Hahn urged Davenport to identify the additional $12 million in funding in the County’s supplemental budget process later this year.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the FY 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on July 5, 2023. Applications are due by September 28, 2023; LAHSA will submit the LA CoC Consolidated Application on September 26, 2023.

Below is information regarding the LA CoC’s final project Priority Listing for funding consideration by HUD. No projects were reallocated (in part or in full) during the FY 2023 competition.