STUDYING BEST PRACTICES TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS. The Chamber’s Business Leaders Task Force to Reduce Homelessness in Los Angeles – a partnership with the United Way of Greater Los Angeles – visited Denver this week to study its 10-year plan to end homelessness in the Mile High City. The delegation met with City and nonprofit leaders who discussed their strategy, which includes permanent supportive housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment and job placement. The Denver's Road Home effort is expected to reach a 75 percent reduction in chronic homelessness and provide new life opportunities for thousands of homeless residents by 2011. This has been a win-win for all involved including the local business community and law enforcement. The task force continues to develop its strategic recommendations for a similar effort in Los Angeles and will release its first report later this year. Contact Beverly Kenworthy, 213.580.7531 or [email protected].

Chamber and Peruvian American Chamber partner to promote trade
The Chamber signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Peruvian American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Peru) on Monday in Lima, Peru to promote trade and investment between California and Peru. This partnership with Peru serves as another important addition to the Chamber's strategic alliances with the Nagoya Chamber of Commerce, AmCham Chile, the High Council of Chambers of Commerce of Spain, Consejo Empresarial Mexicano (COMCE) and the Korean International Trade Association (KITA). Above, Chamber Senior Vice President of Global Initiatives Carlos J. Valderrama signs the agreement with AmCham Peru Board Secretary and Member Manuel Barrios. Contact Jasmin Sakai-Gonzalez, 213.580.7569 or [email protected].

Chamber members rally to "HIRE LA's Youth"
The Chamber would like to thank member companies who have stepped up over the last week since the HIRE LA's Youth Employer Engagement Breakfast to offer summer employment opportunities to more than 1,200 youth in Los Angeles. Member companies helping to make a difference in our community include Beverly's Laundromat; Cedars-Sinai Health System; Childrens Hospital Los Angeles; CVS CAREMARK; Kaiser Permanente; Los Angeles Regional Foodbank and Vons, a Safeway Company. It's not too late to participate and receive subsidized youth employment at not cost to you. Contact Maria Dolores Nieto, 213.580.7599 or [email protected].

Partnership encourages leaders to take a stand and step into positions of power
People of color represent 34 percent of the U.S. population, but only 16-18 percent of membership in key leadership groups. This point was discussed by The Southern California Leadership Network (SCLN) and the National Urban Fellows (NUF), who partnered last week to offer the Public Service Leadership Diversity Summit as a part of NUF's call to action — challenging national and community organizations to take a stand on creating a pipeline of leaders of color who are ready to step into positions of power. Also aimed at creating a stronger relationship to public service networks in California, the NUF's initiative will be joined by SCLN, which will host a NUF fellow for nine months in September. Learn more about how you can participate. Contact Kevin Cottrell, 213.580.7577 or [email protected].

10,000 Small Businesses initiative to provide capital and business resources Goldman Sachs is teaming up with The Long Beach Community College District and the Los Angeles City College for this initiative that seeks participants for an 11-session business management course that offers business advisory services, peer-to-peer learning and mentoring, and access to capital. Application deadline is Friday, July 2. Read more and apply now. Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.