California is home to approximately 5.6 million workers paid low wages, more than half of whom are Hispanic. A subset are property service workers — the janitors, security officers, maintenance and custodial workers, stadium, arena, and airport employees, and others providing important services to the buildings of California. Most property service workers are immigrants from Latin America.  

In light of this and in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we spoke to Luis Sandoval, Executive Director of Building Skills Partnership, which provides workforce development, citizenship, civic engagement, and academic opportunities for property service workers. (BSP is part of our Fair Work initiative, which works to ensure workers have a voice in the economic decisions that affect their lives.)  

Luis shared what led him to the work, how BSP addresses the unique needs of Latino and immigrant workers, and the significance of this month. 

Note: The views and opinions below are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The James Irvine Foundation. Responses were edited for length and clarity.  

Tell us about yourself. What led you to this work?

My journey into this work has been profoundly shaped by my family’s immigrant experience. My father, who had a college education in Mexico, faced immense challenges upon arriving in the United States, taking on jobs as a farmworker, construction and day laborer, and janitor. I often joined my parents in these jobs, witnessing their struggle to learn English while balancing work and family obligations. His resilience taught me that every job holds dignity and worth.

My grandparents, deeply involved in the United Farm Workers movement, introduced me to the transformative power of collective action.  I joined my grandfather at marches, and witnessed the strength that comes from standing together for justice and equality, even when I didn’t fully grasp its significance. These lessons ignited a fire within me to give back to my community. Growing up in both Mexicali, a border town in Mexico, and Salinas, California, I couldn’t help but  notice  the barriers that prevent immigrants from accessing career and educational opportunities. 

I see the work I do now through a lens of my own experiences. This work is personal since both my parents and I have worked as janitors. I understand the challenges but also the resilience of and opportunities to engage our communities who are often disenfranchised and marginalized. I now lead efforts to support property service workers throughout California – 61% of whom are immigrants.

I often wonder how different my parents’ paths might have been with organizations like ours by their side. My mission is to advocate for a better quality of life, empowering individuals to realize their potential and fostering a brighter future for workers, families, and our communities.

How about Building Skills Partnership? What does your organization do and why? 

BSP was born out of the Justice for Janitors movement, a powerful testament to the resilience of immigrant workers fighting for dignity and fairness. Today, BSP stands at the forefront of transforming the lives of California’s property and airport service workers and their families, driven by a vision of equity and opportunity for all. We were founded in 2007, and our mission is to empower property service workers and their families to achieve personal and professional success through skills development, education, and community advancement. Our programs focus on workforce development, immigrant inclusion, and community advancement. In 2023, we served 4,650 participants through direct services and training, and 18,500 individuals through hybrid outreach and online services.

We work closely with SEIU-United Service Workers West and industry stakeholders to ensure our community members can fully realize the benefits of social, civic, and economic integration. The uncertain future of prolonged post-pandemic transitions in the property service sector requires that BSP take a both/and approach with “downstream” interventions designed to meet workers immediate needs and an “upstream” strategy to secure the structural changes needed to fulfill our mission. BSP also advocates for civic engagement and systems-level change that includes policy advocacy, integrating workforce development with immigrant inclusion and community advancement to advocate comprehensive methods of promoting prosperity, belonging, and wellbeing for California’s property service workers and their families.

We believe that true prosperity stems from investing in people. By equipping workers with essential skills and resources, we empower them to secure quality jobs and achieve economic mobility. Together, we are building a more just and vibrant future—one where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to their community.

How does BSP address the unique needs of Latino and/or immigrant workers? 

BSP addresses the unique needs of Latino and immigrant workers by providing tailored, culturally and linguistically appropriate services For example, 97% of janitors are immigrants from Latin America, so we accommodate their schedules outside traditional working hours and offer Spanish-language teaching materials, audio materials for those with literacy challenges, and a “no-fail”  structure so workers can earn certifications despite their demanding work-life balance.

As the Executive Director of BSP, what makes you hopeful or optimistic about this work?

I am filled with hope when I witness the resilience and determination of our immigrant communities. Despite the many challenges they face, immigrant workers and their families are unwavering in their determination to be included and contribute to our society. They remind us that our diverse backgrounds are not just a hallmark of our identity but also a powerful source of strength as we seek a path to full inclusion, driven by a desire to share their talents and aspirations. 

In California alone, immigrants play a crucial role comprising over one-third of the labor force. They are a critical workforce in sectors like janitorial services, agriculture, hospitality, and airport operations. Their contributions not only support these industries but also ensure that communities have access to vital services. This reliance on immigrant labor underscores the importance of supporting immigrants and addressing their needs in the workforce. 

Immigrant workers are essential to our economy and also enrich our communities with their unique perspectives and experiences. Despite facing misconceptions and challenges, immigrant workers embody hope and perseverance. Their stories resonate deeply with me, reflecting the dreams and aspirations that unite us all. I am optimistic that, through collaboration with our partners and community, we can dismantle barriers and pave the way for a future where every person, regardless of their background, can contribute to our shared prosperity and success. This collective effort strengthens our communities and highlights the incredible potential that arises when we unite through a shared vision to support workers and their families.

Lastly, what does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Hispanic Heritage Month is a powerful recognition of the significant contributions our communities have made. It highlights our roles across various sectors—workforce, economy, politics, and more—demonstrating how integral we are to the nation’s fabric. Personally, it’s a chance to inspire my kids by sharing the remarkable achievements of individuals who reflect their own heritage. While we celebrate our progress, it’s also an important moment to acknowledge the challenges that remain and to encourage ongoing dialogue and action toward equity and representation. It’s about honoring our past while empowering future generations.