Who We Are

Our Mission

Employment Support Partnership (ESP) is committed to providing stability, hope, and dignity to vulnerable populations within our community.

Our Vision

With God’s grace, Employment Support Partnership pledges to provide the vulnerable a pathway to a better life.

Meet The Team

Since 1983, Employment Support Partnership (formerly Central Intake Unit) has provided a wide variety of social and case management services to thousands of low income individuals, primarily refugees, immigrants and trafficking survivors. With a focus on participant strengths, ESP supports individuals as they acclimate to life in the U.S. and ultimately achieve economic self sufficiency.

Jamie DeRose

Program Director

Mr. DeRose earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Marketing from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. Mr. DeRose has 30 years of experience in account and program management, 10 of which have been with Catholic Charities. He has worked with a number of different socio and economically diverse communities during his time with Catholic Charities.

Anush Shahverdyan

REAS Supervisor

Anush Shahverdyan brings extensive experience in international development, education reforms, workforce development, and program management. She is also adept at collaborating with government entities, partners, and stakeholders to achieve shared goals. Anush is committed to contributing to the positive change in people’s lives. In addition to her professional experience, for years, she volunteered for the social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and their skills building. Witnessing the tangible results of her efforts has been the highest professional satisfaction to her. Anush has been a recipient of numerous awards, including the International Alumni Award at Kent State University, the Manoukian Public Service Fellowship with the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, and others. Anush has a Bachelor’s degree from Armenia and a Master’s degree in Education Administration and Organization Development from Kent State University, USA.  

Lilit Manasyan

Business Services Manager

Ms. Manasyan was a former Transitional Subsidized Employee through Catholic Charities of Los Angeles. She is familiar with the program and is dedicated to assisting low income, limited English speakers with job readiness skills and job placement support. She works in the following Catholic Charities employment programs: CSBG/CARES Job Services and Transitional Subsidized Employment.

Ani Avahumian

Employment Developer Coach

Ani Avahumian has a PhD in Computer Information Technology. She speaks 4 languages: Russian, Ukrainian, Armenian, and English. Ani has more than 7 years of experience as an Educational assistant at the Department of Information Technology in Ukraine. She is certified in Employment promotion. Ani was a temporary subsidized employee at CCLA, she is familiar with CCLA’s mission and vision and takes pride in providing services to the poor and vulnerable, using her experience to assist them in finding employment.

Anush Sargsian

REAS Employment Developer Coach

Anush Sargsian worked as a Transitional Subsidized Employee and ready to provide her help for clients who need support in job search and self-development and assist them in Russian, Armenian and English.

Hennesey Rodriguez

Client Resource Coordinator III

Ms. Rodriguez works in client services assisting Spanish-speaking immigrant and trafficking victims. She speaks, reads and writes fluent Spanish, has a BA Psychology degree from CUNY York College. Ms. Rodriguez is passionate about advocating for those who have not found their voices and her responsibilities will include handling intake paperwork, casework responsibilities and hosting workshops for the TVAP/Aspire, ESAVN and ISAP programs.

Anait Yehiazarian

REAS Case Manager

Anait Yehiazarian has a Master’s degree in International Relations department.  She speaks 4 languages: Russian, Ukrainian, Armenian and English. Anait worked as a Transitional Subsidized Employee, she is familiar with the program and all procedures with people, who need assistance with adaptation, childcare, employment, studying. She has an experience in communications with clients from different countries with wide cultural, educational, language features.

Armenui Telestakova

REAS Case Manager

Armenui Telestakova holds a PhD in Law and a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Management from Ukraine. She is fluent in Russian, Ukrainian, Armenian, and English, and previously worked as a temporary subsidized employee at Catholic Charities of Los Angeles. Armenui is a dedicated humanitarian worker with experience in providing comprehensive support to clients, qualified in providing culturally sensitive services, and experienced in compiling program reports. 

Kristine Rshtuni

REAS Case Manager

Kristine Rshtuni earned her BAs in Political Science and as an English Language Teacher in Armenia. She has had an extensive experience in translation, interpretation, education and working with people of different ages, educational and cultural background. She also has experience of work in social services. 

Luisa Fernandez

REAS Case Manager

Ms. Fernandez has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Applied Science Erfurt, Germany. She’s Spanish native speaker and speaks fluent German and English. Ms. Fernandez has 7+years experience assisting people in need improving lives and exceeding goals through assessments, social services, and employment counseling. She works effectively with people of diverse cultural, educational, economic and social backgrounds.

Mojgan Varzandeh

REAS Case Manager

Ms.Varzandeh works as a REAS Case Manager. She speaks, reads and writes fluent Farsi, has a BA in Finacial Analysis from CSUN. Ms.Varzandeh is passionate to help the new immigrants to find their destination through education or finding a job to start a new life in their new home. Her responsibilities will include explanation the eligibilities of participants in the program, handling intake paperwork, and follow up with them until they are getting their path.

Olha Panova

REAS Case Manager

Olha graduated from a Ukrainian University with a BA degree in Management. She has experience to help people in customer services; she would like to support improving other people’s life based on her own experience as a refugee.

Tamara Grigoryan

REAS Case Manager

Tamara Grigoryan earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Accounting from California State University, Los Angeles. She was a Transitional Subsidized Employee through Catholic Charities of Los Angeles. Now Tamara is working as a Case Manager, and ready to assists refugees to adjust and adapt to the American Workplace. She speaks, reads and writes English, Armenian and Russian, and have a 10+ years of customer services experience.

Umida Ismailova

REAS Case Manager

Umida Ismailova is a dedicated humanitarian worker with a rich background in law, committed to empowering refugees and displaced individuals. Transitioning from a legal career in Ukraine, where she focused on human rights and migration issues, Umida now applies her expertise to support refugees in rebuilding their lives. Her experience includes providing career coaching, organizing employment workshops, and serving as a translator to bridge communication gaps between Ukrainian and Romanian stakeholders. Based in Los Angeles, Umida’s multilingual skills and deep understanding of refugee challenges drive her ongoing mission to create meaningful opportunities for those in need.

Advisory Committee

Currently under development.

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