Workforce Development
GOLES offers walk-in assistance for residents seeking employment, including resume and cover letter preparation, job search and interview techniques, and direct connection with local employers.  We also provide referrals to free job skills training programs in a variety of industries, as well as to GED and ESOL classes.  Finally, GOLES offers Customer Service Skills classes to prepare neighborhood residents for careers in food service and hospitality, retail, and office environments.

Economic Development
GOLES is currently working on a project to support locally owned small businesses with histories in our community that, due to rising rents and the rising cost of doing business in our neighborhood, are at risk of displacement.  We are conducting a needs assessment survey of LES small business owners to identify their needs and concerns, and to understand the challenges their businesses face in remaining competitive in the changing local economy.  We are working with local small business development centers to help connect business owners with resources for technical assistance, while creating space for business owners to network and problem-solve collectively.  We are in conversation with a number of business owners to organize a Lower East Side Merchants Association and are holding our first interest meetings in late-summer 2006.