Aldon Avila’s journey took a remarkable turn when he became a participant in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) in November 2019, driven by necessity. A proud and responsible man, Aldon had been working full-time while caring for his mother and raising his son. However, life threw him a curveball—he found himself unemployed just as his mother fell ill, all while still supporting his son. This challenging period left him relying solely on General Relief and Cal Fresh for income.
Despite these hardships, Aldon never lost hope. He tirelessly searched for employment, though success eluded him. On the brink of homelessness, he sought help at the Living and Learning Center in Sun Valley. There, he was introduced to SER’s SCSEP. Skeptical at first—having never heard of a program that would pay him to learn new skills—he cautiously enrolled and began his training.
It wasn’t long before Aldon realized the truth about SCSEP: he was acquiring new skills, gaining valuable experience, and rebuilding his confidence to re-enter the workforce. His unwavering work ethic and determination soon caught the attention of his Employment & Training Specialist (ETS), who promoted him to Participant Assistant (PST). In this role, Aldon excelled, assisting with the daily activities of SCSEP. His outstanding performance led to his selection for the ETS position in LA County when it became available.
We are thrilled to have Aldon on our team and eagerly anticipate the positive impact he will make. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative potential of the SCSEP.