Kherut

Kherut changes lives by providing paid job training and holistic support to women who have survived labor and sex trafficking, addiction, incarceration, and other serious life challenges. Participants receive essential skills, mentorship, and real-world experience in a safe, supportive environment.

Kherut addresses a critical gap in the continuum of care for women overcoming significant life challenges, including human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual abuse, incarceration, and aging out of foster care. While many organizations provide essential crisis and recovery services, Kherut focuses on what comes next—equipping women with job skills, paid workforce training, and the ability to secure long-term employment.

At the core of Kherut’s approach is the belief that lasting independence requires more than employment alone. Through a strong network of partnerships, Kherut helps connect women to essential resources such as housing, childcare, transportation, and mental health support.

This collaborative model—grounded in the Four Pillars of Success—ensures that women are not only prepared for employment, but supported in sustaining it, creating a pathway toward long-term stability and independence.

Kherut’s impact is measured not only in outcomes, but in transformation. Women enter the program facing significant barriers—yet through job skills training, paid workforce training, and consistent support, they leave prepared for employment and long-term independence.

In 2025, participants completed over 3,400 hours of training and mentorship and contributed nearly 14,000 hours of work experience. 100% earned vocational and safety certifications, equipping them with the skills needed to enter the workforce. Together, clients earned more than $271,000 in wages—an important step toward financial stability and self-sufficiency.

Beyond these outcomes, women are building the confidence, consistency, and capability to secure and retain employment—whether with Kherut or another employer. Many are overcoming housing instability, navigating life after incarceration, and supporting their children while working toward a more stable future.

Each milestone represents more than progress—it represents a shift toward independence, dignity, and lasting change.

Kherut is seeking funding to sustain and expand its paid workforce training program, ensuring more women have access to the skills, experience, and support needed to achieve long-term employment and independence.

Key funding priorities include:

Program Delivery: Supporting the full 420-hour paid workforce training program, including participant wages, certifications, uniforms, and hands-on training resources
Program Capacity: Strengthening administrative and program support to serve more women effectively and sustainably
Transportation Access: Removing a critical barrier to employment through transportation support, including vehicle maintenance, insurance, and supplemental ride assistance
Training Infrastructure: Maintaining a safe, fully operational training kitchen, including required health permits and ongoing equipment upkeep

Support in these areas ensures that women not only gain job skills, but are able to complete the program, secure employment, and move toward stable, independent lives.

Kherut serves the North Orange County area but its scalable, workforce training model will be able to expand into many cities around the county, then the state and eventually, the entire country.

This past year has been one of meaningful growth and continued transformation at Kherut.

Every woman who walks through our doors carries a unique story, but what unites them is a shared determination to build something new. Despite facing barriers such as housing instability, transportation challenges, and the lasting effects of trauma, they show up each day ready to learn, work, and move forward. It is a privilege to walk alongside them as they take these steps.

At Kherut, we have continued to strengthen our ability to serve—expanding partnerships, enhancing our training environment, and creating more opportunities for women to gain job skills and prepare for long-term employment. We are especially encouraged by the progress we see: women completing training, stepping into employment, and achieving milestones such as securing stable housing and supporting their families.

This work is only possible through the support of a committed community. Together, we are not only providing training—we are helping create pathways to stability, dignity, and independence.

As we look ahead, we remain focused on growing our impact and expanding opportunities for the women we serve. We are grateful for the partners and supporters who make this work possible and look forward to all that is ahead.

Yves Masquéfa

It has been an honor to serve on the Kherut Board and to step into the role of Board Chair in 2025. In my time with the organization, I have witnessed the powerful transformation that takes place when women are given the opportunity, structure, and support to rebuild their lives.

Kherut is addressing a critical need—equipping women with the job skills, confidence, and stability required to move beyond crisis and into long-term independence. This work is not easy, but it is essential. It requires commitment, collaboration, and a deep belief in the potential of every woman we serve.

As Board Chair, I am focused on strengthening and growing this impact—expanding partnerships, increasing capacity, and ensuring that Kherut remains a place where women can build not just skills, but a future. The progress we are seeing is only the beginning.

When women are given the opportunity to work, to grow, and to be supported, the impact extends far beyond the individual—it strengthens families, communities, and generations to come.

I am proud to stand alongside this organization and look forward to what we will continue to accomplish together.

Rosie Papazian