CEO | Los Angeles

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Giovanni Frausto

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gfrausto@ceoworks.org

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Application deadline: December 12, 2025

Cohort begins: January 5, 2026

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Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) launched its Los Angeles site in 2016. CEO Los Angeles has offered immediate, effective, and comprehensive employment services exclusively to individuals recently returning from incarceration. CEO’s program supports participants in gaining the workplace skills and confidence needed for successful transitions to stable, productive lives.

CEO Los Angeles has been open since 2016.

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CEO Updates:

Read the story

October 16, 2025

KNX News / Margaret Carrero

L.A.'s Afternoon News with Margaret Carrero

Margaret Carrero speaks with Simone Price, CEO's Director of Organizing, about wage increases for incarcerated firefighters and the barriers that exist for them when they return home.

July 31, 2025

The 19th/Candice Norwood

How temporary cash assistance helps mothers reclaim their lives — and families — after prison

Guaranteed income programs, even for just a few months, can provide the stability for formerly incarcerated parents to rebuild relationships with their children.

April 7, 2025

LAist

Facing a budget deficit, LA County slashes funds for program that gets unhoused people jobs

The Los Angeles County homelessness budget approved last week included tens of millions in cuts to established services, including a 78% reduction in funding for the region’s main homeless workforce development program.

May 16, 2024

KQED

Prop 47 Has Saved California Millions. These Are the Programs It's Funded

In 1997, Tommy Eugene Lewis III was sentenced to 41 years to life in state prison for attempted murder after he shot and injured another driver. He was 18 years old. Three years ago, at 43, Lewis was released from prison. He’d spent his entire adult life behind bars and wasn’t sure what was next. A friend directed him to the Center for Employment Opportunity (CEO), a nonprofit located near Skid Row in Los Angeles, which, despite its proximity, feels like a world apart. Housed in a modern, light-filled office complex above boutiques and restaurants, CEO more closely resembles a tech office.

February 24, 2022

The Guardian

California gives people leaving prison just $200 to start over. After 50 years, that could change

A California lawmaker wants to increase the allowance that people released from prison receive to cover basic needs for the first time in nearly 50 years.

July 7, 2021

SiliconValley.com

Opinion: Addressing biases and barriers can help solve worker shortage

Employers across California are asking, “Where can we find workers?” The truth is that many hundreds of thousands of Californians are locked out of opportunity. And it doesn’t have to be that way. Many of our state’s most pressing economic challenges are the consequence of inaction. In this case, more than 55,000 Californians come home from incarceration each year and, without jobs or other options, about 50 percent go back to prison within three years.

October 15, 2025

Ryan M. Moser

From Street Kid to Union Electrician: Cameron's Career Journey

At 35 years old, Cameron has already lived many lives – survivor of childhood trauma, street kid, father, prisoner, and now, electrician. Cameron's story isn’t one of overnight success (his transformation was anything but easy), but with the help of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) and a union mentor, Cameron found more than just a job – he found a career with purpose.

October 13, 2025

Ryan M. Moser

A Fair Chance at a Good Life: Arthur’s Journey After 40 Years Behind Bars

After spending four decades behind bars, Arthur is now living a life he once thought was impossible – one filled with freedom and hope. Released from incarceration just eight months ago, Arthur says that because of support from organizations like the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) and the unwavering love of his wife of 45 years, he now has a fair chance at a good life.

September 30, 2025

Tiffany Elder

Everybody Has a Story — and This Is Mine: Jovany’s Journey from First Participant to Leader

For Jovany, work has always been more than just a job. It’s been a form of pride, healing, and identity. Raised in Watts, California, after being born in East L.A., Jovany grew up in a household where hard work wasn’t just expected, it was sacred.

July 11, 2025

Isidoro Rodriguez

From Transitional Work to Workforce Director: Terrell’s Career Climb

Terrell's job coaches at CEO connected him with SLA Inc., an advanced training program offering a pre-apprenticeship in landscaping through a local union. An eight-week program that teaches people the ins and outs of their mission to beautify urban areas through hands-on experience and classroom instruction, SLA Inc. helped Terrell become a state-approved and OSHA-certified apprentice, ready and eligible for well-paid union work. And when he completed the program, SLA Inc. recognized his ability and potential by giving him a job.

April 11, 2025

Isidoro Rodriguez

Reentry Starts With Stability: Angie’s Story of Support and Success

Growing up in northern California, Angie was always into music. When she was younger, she would record and perform her own material and dreamed of attending the Los Angeles Film School to study music production.

March 26, 2025

Ryan M. Moser

From Incarcerated Firefighter to Hometown Hero: Joseph’s Journey

On January 7, 2025, a brush fire fueled by high winds ignited the Eaton Canyon area in Pasadena, California, forcing evacuations and turning entire subdivisions into ash.

March 5, 2025

Isidoro Rodriguez

How Training and Opportunity Helped Clyde Build a New Life

In 2023, Clyde was released from Solidad State prison in California after serving 28 years of a 30 years-to-life sentence. He walked out of prison looking for the best way to get back on his feet: a job. But, after nearly three decades of living behind bars, Dudley was on his own and lacked the skills and knowledge most people on the outside take for granted.

February 20, 2025

Isidoro Rodriguez

Investing in People, Not Prisons: How Financial Aid Changed William’s Future

William grew up in an underserved community in south central Los Angeles with limited opportunities. He was raised by his hardworking mother, who juggled multiple jobs to support him and his 10 siblings. Like many others raised in similar situations, when his mother passed away at just 42, William struggled to find his path. Without guidance or support, he turned to substances to cope, leading to choices that resulted in his incarceration.

December 3, 2024

Ryan M. Moser

The Human Cost of Housing Discrimination: Anthony’s Story and the Path Forward

Anthony is in disbelief. He doesn't understand what has changed since speaking to the landlord on the phone that morning. He’s been living in a transition house for the last nine months, but Anthony only has one week until he has to move out. Then he will be homeless, and he expects his parole officer will certainly violate him.

December 2, 2024

Philip Fera

Darneicea Day’s Leadership in Reentry and Empowerment in Los Angeles

Darneicea Day, Site Director of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) Los Angeles location, has journeyed down a winding and resilient road to reach her current position.

September 20, 2024

Ryan M. Moser

I Went from Skid Row to Leadership

The first time David stood on a stage and looked out at an auditorium filled with rambunctious kids, he was 27 and in the custody of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). He was sweating under the bright lights and a little nervous, but David knew he was there for a reason bigger than himself.

May 21, 2024

Ryan M. Moser

A Journey from the Streets to a Role Model

After returning home from incarceration two years ago, Anthony knew that he needed to work towards a career path if he was going to support his family, so he called the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) after a friend recommended the organization.

January 10, 2023

Emily Montgomery

Reentry cash assistance gives Bella stability in changing world

When Bella grew up in Los Angeles, there were payphones everywhere. Then, returning to the city in 2018 after being incarcerated for twelve years, she said it was like she had “stepped into a different world.”

October 20, 2022

Alex Mitchell

Karina embraces her path as an advocate for criminal legal system reform

When distractions don’t cloud your eyes, the world is bright, and your road is clear as day. This is the newfound perspective of Karina from Los Angeles, California.

January 19, 2021

#MLKDay Series 2021: Alexa Harris

"I remember seeing Dr. King’s mural at the Compton courthouse after attending a probation meeting to tell folks about CEO. I remember feeling how important that conversation was because most of our colleagues were coming from South Los Angeles. I remember being in a room with mostly Black people, building relationships that would have a lasting impact. Planting a seed in the community to make a difference. To literally change lives. I am reminded of the countless Black and Brown kids that came in with their parents to our office, seeing their mother or father engaged in conversation with us. I carry that memory as a symbol for anything I do here at this organization: it must be rooted in anti-racism."