Creating Jobs in Orange County
Oscar & Ma's Story
Oscar & Ma was founded by Scott Green, an Orange County entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and philanthropist who was inspired to create employment opportunities for people who are experiencing significant barriers to entry into the job market.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was causing increased unemployment, disproportionately among marginalized populations.
Scott’s vision was to create a nonprofit events company that employs and trains people from underserved communities, while also providing valuable marketing and event services to other nonprofits and organizations.
The company was launched in October 2020 with the goal of starting locally and expanding nationally to provide jobs and job training to thousands of people in need of sustainable employment.
“We are very pleased to be working with Oscar & Ma who is helping provide employment opportunities for Casa Teresa’s residents and alumni. Having a local non-profit like Oscar & Ma offer jobs and career training is a great asset to the women we serve.”
Lisa Wood Chief Executive Officer, Casa Teresa
Employing Underserved Populations
Oscar & Ma’s organizational mission is to generate employment opportunities for people with barriers to employment, including the formerly incarcerated, foster youth, unhoused, and survivors of domestic violence.
In the United States:
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Formerly incarcerated individuals are unemployed at a rate of 27%.
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Youth that age out of the foster system have an unemployment rate of 47% - 69%, depending on age and gender.
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Unemployment among people who are unhoused ranges from 57% to more than 90%.
Our vision is to build an on-the-job training academy where employees can initially apprentice to learn a particular job over the course of a year.
Oscar & Ma’s programs for employees include personal and professional development, exposure to a professional environment, and job placement services.
The Academy Program
The academy provides comprehensive on-the-job training to individuals, each trainee working with an experienced professional as a mentor. Trainees work 20 hours a week and have a 1-year commitment. In addition, support services are provided including logistical help (transportation support), professional wardrobe, access to virtual counseling & career assessment training.
Academy attendees complete training with defined goals, weekly check-ins, and mentorships. The expected outcome for each trainee is to obtain and sustain full-time employment in order to establish financial independence.
Program Components
• Specific vocational training
• Job shadowing
• Financial literacy & budgeting
• Leadership training & development
• Community service
• Job readiness
• Mentoring
• Self-advocacy & communication
• Self-awareness & esteem training
• Workplace communication
• Performance reviews
Career Training Areas
• Event planning and production
• Video and website creation
• Event hosting and management
• General office and human resources
• Marketing, sales, & accounting
Workforce Development Partners
