WES Mariam Assefa Fund
As the pandemic hit in the Spring of 2020, Building Skills Partnership (BSP) was awarded a $370,000 grant from the WES Mariam Assefa Fund. This generous funding helped BSP to develop an Infectious Disease Certification program, as well as create career pathways for workers in low-wage industries, and also build the organization’s policy advocacy framework.
“BSP is incredibly thankful to the WES Mariam Assefa Fund for their benevolent commitment to making opportunities available to immigrant workers and their families,” says Luis Sandoval, Executive Director for Building Skills Partnership
The WES Mariam Assefa Fund seeks to catalyze economic inclusion, opportunities, and mobility in support of immigrants and refugees in the U.S. and Canada. Through grantmaking, impact investing, partnerships, and field-building, the Fund supports efforts to bring about inclusive economies and to ensure that all immigrants and refugees can achieve their goals and thrive.
With the support of the WES Mariam Assefa Fund, BSP launched the Infectious Disease Certification Program with various leading industry employers throughout California in June 2020. The Infectious Disease Certification Program focuses on education for property service workers, helping to expand their knowledge on cleaning and maintenance practices for today’s rapidly evolving health and safety measures.
By the Spring of 2022, 1,000 janitors throughout California had completed BSP’s Infectious Disease Certification curriculum! To recognize this momentous milestone, SEIU International President, Mary Kay Henry; Julie Su, U.S. Secretary of Labor; David Huerta, President of SEIU United Service Workers West; and Tim Rainey, Executive Director of the California Workforce Development Board joined BSP for a special virtual event where workers and esteemed guests converged in reflection of this achievement.
Daniel Diaz, Orange County BSP Participant
"I already knew about COVID-19 before this class, but BSP’s programs helped me further understand how this disease started and the importance of social distancing and proper cleaning methods,” said Jesus Munoz, Orange County BSP Program Participant.
“It helped me to be aware of how to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. I feel more comfortable at work now that I know how to be prepared for any accident or emergency.”
Another component of BSP’s accomplishments enabled through WES Miriam Assefa Fund includes career pathway opportunities. –An industry career lattice is a flexible plan to support employee training, upskilling, and certification on multiple pathways, responsive to the needs of industries and the economy.
Daniel Diaz, a Bay Area property service worker for a leading tech company in Mountain View is a prime example of a career pathways success. After receiving his certification through the Infectious Disease Certification program, Daniel was the first BSP property service worker to participate and complete 22 hours of BSP's Leaders Initiative program to become a BSP Peer Trainer!
Daniel Diaz, BSP Peer Trainer
“The opportunity that BSP gave me to participate in the Leaders Initiative and to teach classes in the future, has been very important for my professional development because it is a space to explore and technify my skills,” said Daniel.
As a BSP Peer Trainer overseeing Infectious Disease Certification curriculum, Daniel helps train program participants in a comprehensive certification program that recognizes the need for continuous training and upskilling of workers in the property service industry.
The WES Miriam Assefa Fund also helped BSP create its framework for policy advocacy. Public policies are in place that secure the inclusion, wellbeing, and prosperity of property service workers and their families. BSP’s policy framework integrates workforce development with immigrant inclusion and community advancement to advocate comprehensive methods of promoting prosperity, belonging, and wellbeing for California’s property service workers and their families.
BSP is grateful to the WES Miriam Assefa Fund for their incredible support and partnership!