January 28, 2026
United Way of Greater LA Gives $355k Boost to SMC Homeless Service Work Program
With $355k Boost from United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Santa Monica College Equips Students to Become Frontline Heroes in LA County’s Fight to End Homelessness
Applications for Second Cohort of Certificate Program Will be Accepted through February 6
Santa Monica, Calif. — In a county where more than 72,000 people experience homelessness on any given night, Santa Monica College (SMC) is helping to build the workforce urgently required to respond to that need. Thanks to $355k in funding from United Way of Greater Los Angeles, the college is expanding its groundbreaking Homeless Service Work program—a first-of-its-kind training pipeline that equips students to become skilled street outreach workers, case managers, and housing navigators.
Launched in 2024 with initial seed funding from United Way in response to Los Angeles County’s significant shortage of trained homelessness service professionals, the program does more than teach concepts—it provides students with front-line experience. Each participant completes 30 hours of hands-on fieldwork with local nonprofit partners, gaining needed skills in crisis intervention, trauma‑informed care, and housing navigation. With all program costs fully covered, students can focus on learning, training, and serving without financial barriers.
United Way’s continued investment allows SMC to cover all student fees, provide intensive wraparound support —from supervised internships with leading nonprofit agencies to individualized job-placement assistance. Students receive guidance from faculty, counselors and seasoned industry veterans who bring years of experience working to address LA’s homelessness crisis.
Celina Alvarez, adjunct professor in SMC’s groundbreaking Homeless Service Work program,
speaking with alumni from the inaugural class at a program event held in December
2025.
With homelessness remaining one of LA County's most visible and urgent crises, this investment positions SMC as a critical workforce training partner, preparing the next generation of professionals committed to lasting solutions.
“The demand for trained professionals has never been greater,” said Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery, Superintendent/President, Santa Monica College. “As we prepare to welcome our second cohort in February, this funding allows us to do what our community needs most—prepare a skilled, compassionate workforce to support individuals experiencing homelessness. Our students and faculty are answering that call with heart, purpose, and dedication.”
“Helping our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness requires a caring, compassionate, and well-trained workforce. Investing in Santa Monica College’s Homeless Service Work Certificate is an opportunity to invest in training a vital workforce but also to invest in solutions for homelessness,” said Elise Buik, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles. “This program will equip sector professionals with the skills, training, and support they need to transform community care into lasting solutions. This is how we strengthen systems, uplift people, and create a Los Angeles where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.”
A recent workforce analysis commissioned by United Way and conducted by KPMG confirmed that expanding training opportunities is essential to reducing turnover in the homelessness services sector. In focus groups, 60% of case managers identified a lack of training as their biggest challenge, underscoring a critical gap in workforce preparedness. The study found that role-specific, skills‑based learning not only supports career advancement but also significantly strengthens employee retention.
Unlike traditional certificate programs, SMC’s model cultivates career-committed professionals who understand the complexity of homelessness and are prepared to make a lasting impact. Prospective students are encouraged to apply, with classes meeting Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until noon on February 6, and the next cohort begins February 17.
For those interested in joining the program and being a part of the solution to the homelessness crisis, learn more and apply at smc.edu/HomelessServiceWork. For more information, reach out to HomelessServiceWork@smc.edu.
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About Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College is a California Community College accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). For 35 consecutive years, SMC has been California’s leading transfer college to UCLA, UC Berkeley, and other University of California campuses. The college also tops in transfers to the University of Southern California and Loyola Marymount University and is the top feeder outside of New York to the Ivy League Columbia University. As the leading job trainer in Los Angeles’s Westside, the college offers robust career education opportunities, with over 110 degrees and certificates in traditional and emerging fields. SMC provides news and cultural enrichment through its NPR radio station KCRW (89.9 FM), the Eli & Edythe Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center, and lifelong learning through distinctive programs such as its Emeritus Program for older adults.
About United Way of Greater Los Angeles
United Way of Greater Los Angeles is one of the LA’s most trusted nonprofits, bringing
together people, partners, and resources to address the region’s most pressing challenges
through innovative solutions and community-driven investments. For over 100 years,
United Way has worked to create pathways from poverty to prosperity for all individuals
across Los Angeles County to have access to housing, education, and opportunities
to thrive.
Learn more at www.unitedwayla.org.