SAN DIEGO — State budget cuts are threatening workforce support programs in San Diego County, including programs that help single mothers get off welfare.
Ninety percent of the women getting job training at Rocket Innovations in San Ysidro are single mothers, according to the CEO of the maintenance and construction firm, James Merino.
“This really helps them to have something that makes them employable and helps them to be able to go out there and join the workforce,” said Merino.
The job training is paid for by welfare-to-work assistance funded through CalWORKs, a state program that could be scaled back drastically if proposed budget cuts go through in Sacramento.
“Now these people are placed in the position where they might ultimately end up homeless,” said Merino.
San Diego County alone is facing $50 million in cuts from CalWORKs, resulting in the possible elimination of a subsidized employment program that allows trainees to get hired in full time jobs.
“It's a great opportunity to learn marketable skills that will make me a more well-rounded employee in the future. I hope to be able to grow as a person and be able to support my family,” said Ana Castillo, a CalWORKs job trainee at Rocket Innovations.
California’s budget cuts are still going through legislative review with a final vote on the budget set for mid-June.
Enrique Velez, a San Diego board member of the Latin Business Association, is now planning a trip to Sacramento.
“If we don't speak out, nothing's going to happen,” said Velez. “We’re going to meet with the State Secretary and try to get into the Governor's office to see if we can appeal his decision to revoke some of this funding for the community.”
A spokesperson for the County of San Diego's Health and Human Services Agency said in a written statement, "The County is actively sharing with the State its concerns about the reductions in the Governor’s May Revise budget proposal and advocating for funding restoration in the final budget."
San Diego County is in the middle of its own budget review, giving Merino hope his program will not be cut. “I've seen, time and time again, through this program individuals come through and succeed, better their situation, go on and live a better life,” said Merino.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors public budget hearings are set for June 4 and 6.
WATCH RELATED: Nonprofits help formerly incarcerated Navy veterans reenter the workforce