Microenterprise Program

Microenterprise Development is a program funded by the City of San Diego through a Community Development Block Grant.

Immigrants and immigrant victims of domestic violence and high risk youth especially foster youth, are outreached through Access’ other programs and through referrals from partner agencies. Classes in basic education, particularly English as a second language and computer literacy, are provided to these groups. Orientations are also given regarding entrepreneurship and microenterprise development and from the groups a smaller number of potential microentrepreneurs is selected. These clients receive group and one-on-one instruction in the basics of business development. Each develops a business plan. Staff assists these persons to locate capital resources for launching the business. A consortium of agencies which participate in the program–including the University of San Diego, Via International, and La Maestra–contribute to fund microloans for some of the participants. Once the microbusinesses have been started, staff assists with ongoing consultation. Follow-up surveys are conducted to measure program impact in terms of improved economic situation of each client.

How the Program Meets the City’s Goals

This project meets the City of San Diego goal for Economic Development and Anti-Poverty.  It promotes economic development opportunities, self sufficiency and financial literacy through creating new businesses, strengthening existing ones, and thereby creating new jobs.

Immigrants and youth face many challenges entering the workforce in San Diego.  The region is one of the most expensive areas to live in the U.S.  Most youth and immigrants will find jobs; however  the jobs will not pay much more than the minimum wage of $8.00.  The high costs of housing, fuel, and utilities will quickly absorb all of such wages.  People who came to the United States to build a better life will find themselves barely making a living wage. Recent studies have demonstrated that in order for an individual to be self sufficient in this region they will need to earn at least $14.50 per hour.  Most jobs paying wages at this rate require higher educational levels than either youth or the majority of immigrants have.

On the average, English proficient immigrants earn 50% higher wages than their monolingual counterparts.  Computer literate and English proficient persons earn 4 times higher wages than their less educated counterparts. Access provides instruction in English as Second Language, Microenterprise Development and computer applications.  By raising their competency in these areas, our clients are better prepared to meet workforce needs, even if they do not successfully launch a microbusiness.  Access also provides work readiness training, job placement assistance, financial literacy and consumer awareness services.