Chamber Chat: Expanding impact through workforce partnerships

The Oceanside Chamber’s collaboration with Equus Workforce Solutions is helping build capacity, create opportunity, and expand community impact

At the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, we’re constantly looking for innovative ways to expand our impact in the community. While much of our work centers on supporting the business community, an equally important part of our mission is strengthening our nonprofit sector — the organizations that do so much to improve the lives of Oceanside residents every day.

In recent months, we’ve discovered a powerful tool that is helping us do both: the State of California’s Expanded Subsidized Employment (ESE) program, administered through the California Department of Social Services and implemented locally by Equus Workforce Solutions.

This program provides paid, real-world work experience for participants while helping employers — like chambers of commerce and nonprofits — expand capacity without additional financial strain. It’s a creative way to strengthen both people and organizations at the same time.

We first began working with Equus Workforce Solutions earlier this year to bring on Bonnie, a participant in the Expanded Work Experience (EWE) program. EWE offers short-term, part-time paid training placements that give participants a chance to gain hands-on experience in a supportive environment. Bonnie joined our team in April under this program — and from day one, she made an immediate impact.