© 2024 KVPR | Valley Public Radio - White Ash Broadcasting, Inc. :: 89.3 Fresno / 89.1 Bakersfield
89.3 Fresno | 89.1 Bakersfield
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
78 new monthly members to go to reach our March goal! Start a new monthly gift today, or increase your existing monthly donation to help us reach the goal.

Fresno's Bitwise Industries Rolls Out Statewide Site To Help Find Support, Jobs During Pandemic

Screenshot OnwardCa.org
Bitwise, in partnership with the state and other companies, launched a new website to help residents find support and jobs.

Bitwise Industries got a shout-out from Governor Gavin Newsom Thursday as he announced relief for small businesses. The Fresno-based tech company is creating a resource for those laid off due to the pandemic: OnwardCa.org

The website is something of a one-stop shop for COVID-19 needs. You just put in a bit of information, and it comes back with grocery programs, financial support, and open job postings in the county. 

Bitwise Co-founder Jake Soberal says the website already had 10,000 visitors before the governor’s press conference ended.

Soberal says the site is pulling jobs from LinkedIn and Indeed for positions like a registered nurse, a police officer, a water manager and a cashier. While some might be outdated, he says the team is doing it’s best to ensure the jobs are legitimate, hiring right now. 

This resource didn’t exist before the pandemic, but Soberal says like grocers trying to keep the shelves stocked, his team is trying to use technology wisely.

“We do things that can be deployed to meet the moment in a really powerful way so why don’t we do those things?”

The website was made in collaboration with a number of partners, including the Kapor Center, Mastercard, and Salesforce.

The third component of the site, training to help someone move into a new job or industry, isn’t live yet, but will be in the next few weeks. 

Soberal added that OnwardCa.org is specific to California, but he expects versions for other states to roll out soon. 

Laura Tsutsui was a reporter and producer for Valley Public Radio. She joined the station in 2017 as a news intern, and later worked as a production assistant and weekend host. Laura covered local issues ranging from politics to housing, and produced the weekly news program Valley Edition. She left the station in November 2020.