Young Mother Finds Life Changing Career with EDD Support
Published: September 23, 2025
At the beginning of 2025, Priscilla Garcia was at a crossroads. She was ready to start thinking about a new life and becoming a more productive member of society, and a role model for her three-year-old daughter.
She decided to follow a friend’s advice and enroll in the Future Fire Academy. A non-profit academy that trains young people in firefighting.
“My friend had reached out to me and told me about this academy she just did and graduated from it and got all these certifications and she was so adamant, you need to do this.”
Being part of the fire academy helped Priscilla reach new levels of freedom, independence and confidence she had never experienced before.
“When I graduated, I felt really accomplished, I got my own house, my first house I’ve ever bought. My first time getting something on my own, completely on my own for me and my daughter, and I strongly believe I wouldn’t have been able to be that focused, to have the confidence to go out on my own and do it, without the academy, it gave me a lot of confidence.”
Workforce grants such as the Opportunity Young Adult Career Pathway Program allow Californians like Priscilla to obtain the training and confidence they need to become better-prepared for important and in-demand careers in industries like firefighting, healthcare, construction, information, technology, public service, and science and engineering.
For Priscilla, it meant that she now had all the tools and support she needed to start transforming her life.
Employment Services for Youth
Many young Californians are looking for their first job, while others like Priscilla are looking for a fresh start. Regardless of their backgrounds, it can be hard for our youth to know how or where to get started on their careers.
Learn more about how the EDD helps empower today’s youth to reach their career goals at Employment Services for Youth. There, you’ll discover how we work with the America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM network to offer no-cost employment services and training resources like resume workshops and interviewing practice as well as opportunities to connect with employers at job fairs and events.
In addition, EDD’s Youth Employment Opportunity Program helps young people ages 15 to 25 who may be struggling with school or work. Program specialists are peer advisors—people with similar life experiences—who act as mentors and career coaches. They provide support with education, job training, and career planning.
Visit Stronger Jobs, Stronger Communities to read more success stories from Californians like Priscilla Garcia.
Related Articles
