“Confidence is not believing you will never fail. It is knowing you can handle whatever comes.” – Maya Angelou

When Frances began Focus 360, the start of 2026 felt uncertain. The previous year had been marked by employment setbacks and financial strain, leaving her discouraged and questioning her ability to support her family. Receiving public assistance was never part of her vision, and she entered the program unsure of what direction lay ahead.

During her first week, Frances worked closely with her facilitator to clarify her goal and map a practical path forward. Together, they identified her destination: stable clerical employment with opportunities for growth. With renewed focus, Frances committed fully to the process.

She developed a new resume, strengthened her interview skills through repeated practice, refined her career goals, and identified transferable skills she had previously overlooked. She approached applications with intention and consistency, treating each step as progress rather than pressure.

Just two weeks after completing Focus 360, she was hired by the South Bay Workforce Investment Board as a Clerical Assistant. The opportunity felt distant only weeks earlier, and she had doubted whether her experience and education were enough. The outcome proved otherwise.

Today, Frances recognizes that this role is not just a job, but a starting point. With confidence restored and clarity gained, she understands that this accomplishment is one step in a career journey she now feels prepared to build upon.

By Grace Diaz, LACOE CDP Specialist – East Los Angeles Job Services