January 2009
| Opportunity Junction® fights poverty by helping low-income adults gain the skills and confidence to support themselves and their families. |
In this issue...
Carole Tennant left Opportunity Junction (then OPTIC) for a receptionist position at JFK University in August of 2002, and she's been there ever since. Here's her story... |
 Imagine: The Imagine Gala, April 4, 2009, has Pete Wilson oil paintings as well as new sponsors joining Chevron to support the event. More... Furniture Needed: With a new lease and an allowance for tenant improvements, we're looking for quality used furniture and computers to help us meet demand. More... Celebration of Volunteers: On February 20, we will honor our volunteers with our fourth annual champagne (okay, sparkling apple cider) breakfast. More... Helping Grow Opportunities: Generous new and continuing donors allowed us to draw down $10,667 in matching funds so far, despite the down economy. More or HELP MEET OUR GOAL Do-It-Yourself Tax Assistance: Special Alumni session available as well as public sessions where we'll help you e-file free for fast refunds. More... Ask the Tech: To update or not to update? Opportunity Junction volunteer Ryan Fernandes, Chief Technology Consultant for East County Tech, answers your question. More... |
Regular Features |
Featured Alumna Carole Tennant: "Opportunity Junction gave me the confidence to get started in my new career."
Carole Tennant might never have found out about Opportunity Junction. On worker's compensation after suffering an injury as a waitress, she was not connected to community resources, and she was strongly inclined toward self-reliance. Carole was quiet and stoic. Though she knew she had a strong work ethic, she lacked confidence in dealing with other people. She wanted to learn computer skills so that she could do work that was less physically demanding, but she didn't know where to start. The year was 2001. Fortunately, Carole's daughter-in-law had recently completed our Job Training and Placement Program, and she shared the information and encouraged her mother-in-law to try the program. Carole stepped out of her comfort zone, applied for the program, and started training as a member of then-OPTIC's (now Opportunity Junction's) Class 7. "OPTIC really helped me become comfortable talking with new people," Carole remembers. "Life skills was so important to me, in addition to the computer skills. Natalie's class made it easier for me to open up with strangers, and that made all the difference."
As Carole reminisces about those times, she talks about how encouraging her husband was and how he always believed in her. "For me, though, OPTIC was a real turning point. Working alongside my classmates, I learned what I could do for myself, and I appreciated my own strengths. That gave me the confidence I needed to get started in my new career." The "new" career isn't new anymore, but Carole is just as happy with it now as when she first started learning the ropes. "I like working with people and helping them figure out where they're going," she says. At Opportunity Junction, we do, too. Pete Wilson Paintings Available for Auction at Imagine, the 2009 Gala
Imagine, Opportunity Junction's April 4, 2009 Gala is only a few months away. Check out our current auction items, updated as new items arrive, at http://www.opportunityjunction.org/gala2009. If you would like to donate to our auction, we are still in the process of collecting auction items for the live and silent auctions. 
This year we are thrilled to be auctioning original Pete Wilson oil paintings donated by Sandra Wilson. Pete Wilson was a beloved news anchor and radio personality acknowledged as, "a Bay Area institution." He was also the winner of five Emmys as well as the prestigious Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting. Wilson started out at KTXL-TV in Sacramento, came to ABC affiliate KGO-TV in 1983 and spent 12 years anchoring the KRON-TV evening news before returning to Channel 7 in 2002. Pete Wilson had a softer, creative side that many people don't know, revealed in his oil paintings of local landscapes. Their glowing colors and local themes are sure to be great additions to anyone's home! Presenting Sponsor Chevron has been joined by:
Sponsorships are now available and may be purchased online at the Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze levels. The event features dinner by Culinary Excellence, at the Shadelands Civic Arts Center, with M.C. Cheryl Hurd of NBC11 and Auctioneer Dennis McCormac, along with live Beatles' music during hors d'oeuvres and dancing after dinner. Opportunity Junction Needs Furniture, Computers to Facilitate Expansion
With demand for our programs skyrocketing, and room to grow in place, Opportunity Junction is seeking donations of high-quality used furniture, computers, and flat panel monitors to prepare for expansion. "We recently renewed our lease here at 3102 Delta Fair, and we were fortunate to have our landlords give us a credit for tenant improvements that will let us create classrooms Demand for Opportunity Junction's Job Training and Placement Program exceeds the available slots by a factor of three or more, and there are also waiting lists for all sections of Opportunity Junction is also seeking donations of configurable conference room furniture and quality office chairs, as well as other wish list items. If you have a line on a possible donation source, please contact Alissa Friedman or Jesse Golden at (925) 776-1133. Volunteer Recognition Breakfast: "Not Just Anybody"
Opportunity Junction's volunteers are way out ahead of President Obama's call for service -- they're making our programs possible by fundraising, consulting, IT support, training, mentoring, guest speaking, tutoring, event staffing, serving as members of our Board of Directors and our Advisory Board. To celebrate their many achievements, we'll be holding a special breakfast in February. Our theme is "HELP!", and if you want to get in the spirit, click here. If you're a current volunteer (since January 2008) and haven't received your invitation, please let us know. If you're not a volunteer, but are interested in becoming one, please call (925) 776-1133 to request a Volunteer Application. Not sure what you want to do? Just fill out the application and we'll help you figure it out! Thanks to Eichleay Engineering for generously sponsoring this event! Match Funds at Risk Despite Donor Generosity in Down Economy
New and continuing Opportunity Junction donors invested in our programs and organization to the tune of more than $26,000 in total donations during the first half of FY2008-09, drawing down $10,667 in matching funds from a challenge grant issued by the Anonymous Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation. "This is really an incredible display of generosity," stated Alissa Friedman, Executive Director. "I know, personally, that many of these donors stretched to help us meet last year's challenge grant. To see these donors add $500 to that, or $50 or $5, particularly in a crisis economy, really shows how deeply they share our mission and vision. Many are also supporting the organization and programs with their time or as participants in our gala fundraiser." At this point last year, donors had matched approximately $17,000 of a similar $25,000 matching grant. Even though donors have given almost as much this year as last, $14,300 in matching funds are still on the table and are at risk, explained Friedman. "We need to reach out to new donors, particularly, whose donations will be doubled through this match," she said. The challenge grant will match any new contributions by new donors and any increases over total FY2007-08 levels by continuing donors. The challenge runs for the length of our fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2009. Click here to help us meet the challenge. We are grateful to the following FY2008-09 donors:
Alumni Only Do-It-Yourself Tax Assistance Session Available Friday, February 6 with Sessions for the Public Beginning January 30
This year we will also be providing an alumni only session. Of course, dinner will be served! Interested alumni should call our office at (925) 776-1133 for the password and then sign up at http://2008taxesforalumni.eventbrite.com/. However, anyone can sign up for our other sessions beginning January 30. The interface that participants will be using is called I-CAN! E-file and was developed by the Legal Aid Society of Orange County. The program will feature financial education funded by the Citi Foundation, which will also be providing volunteers to "train the trainers" -- our very own Job Training and Placement Program alumni. These trainers, also called Alumni Session Leaders, will lead participants through the I-CAN! E-file web interface. Free tickets to the sessions, which will be held on Friday evenings and Saturdays, can be found on the Opportunity Junction website. The "tickets" are processed through EventBrite, to make sure that no more than 20 taxpayers sign up for each session. Sessions will be held in English and Spanish. The program is ideal for anyone who can surf the web, including (of course) graduates of the Opportunity Junction Job Training and Placement Program or Computer Basics evening class series. Clients who do not know how to surf the web can still participate in the United Way of the Bay Area's Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Volunteer Income Tax Assistance through other sites and can call 1-800-358-8832 or 211 for more information. Please post our flyer and encourage low-income taxpayers to collect their whole refund by filing electronically for free. 
Ask the Tech: Ryan FernandesRyan Fernandes is our volunteer IT Consultant and the Chief Technology Consultant for East County Tech. If you have a question about your computer you would like answered in our next newsletter, email Ryan at AsktheTech AT opportunityjunction DOT org.Dear IT Tech, My computer constantly asks me if I want to run updates on my computer. Should I run those updates when asked regardless of the program? I am afraid I will load a virus or something. Yours, Dear Befuddled, Most software manufacturers update their products to enhance product features, fixes, security, etc. Some manufacturers update their products on a fairly regular basis, mostly with security updates to keep your PC safe. Some common updates are:
These are safe to install; just be sure that you recognize the manufacturer or product name in the update. If you are not comfortable with automatic or prompted updates, you can always choose to run all updates manually through the application or operating system. (for example: for Windows XP you would click on Start > All Programs > Windows Update > Choose "Express" in browser window) Hope this helps! Regards, Ryan Fernandes
Alumni News Facing a tough problem at work and seeking a little professional advice? Looking for an easy way to keep in touch with other alumni? We are in the process of developing an alumni blog! Keep you eye out for an email from us with directions how to ask professional questions of our Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Mentors, and Friends of Opportunity Junction. We will also have a blog to let us know how you are doing, share interesting news, spread info about a job posting, etc.Wish ListMany thanks to those who have already responded with gifts and offers. Here is our current wish list:
New Grants and Support for our Programs
Funding and In-Kind PartnersOpportunity Junction wishes to acknowledges all of its corporate, foundation and government funders, sponsors, and in-kind providers: Opportunity Junction Hiring PartnersHiring Partners are companies that agree to consider Opportunity Junction Job Training and Placement Program graduates as candidates for job openings where appropriate, as well as to consider other forms of support, such as participating in the Mentor Program.To join them and to help us place Job Training and Placement participants into good jobs with opportunities for advancement, fill out our very simple Memorandum of Understanding. Many thanks to our other Opportunity Junction Hiring Partners:
Friends of Opportunity JunctionThe Friends of Opportunity Junction are an energetic, talented group of women dedicated to supporting Opportunity Junction's work in the community. We are thrilled with their efforts to publicize our work, help with special events and donor development, and support the staff in innumerable ways. They are: Anne Launt, Beth Bissell, Betty Stokes, Denise Silicani, Frances Wallace, Helen Loewenstein, Jan Monteyne, Jane Collett, Judy Johnson, Jules Campbell, Karla Massie, Kathy Burke, Kathy Leahy, Mary Ann Shattuck, Mary Jane Arnold, Mary Jane Hargrove, Maureen Wilhelm, Norma Evans, Pam Elliott, Pamela Halloran, Patricia Shattuck, Sarah Morrill, Selma Moore, Sue George, and Sue Kidd. Ways to Get InvolvedIf you share our vision, we'll find a way to help you get involved - whatever your schedule, whatever your resources. You can:
Contact the Opportunity Junction StaffWe welcome your feedback and involvement in our program. You can reach any of us by telephone at (925) 776-1133. Staff emails are all in the form firstname AT opportunityjunction DOT org. For inquiries about:
The Opportunity Junction Board of Directors
The Opportunity Junction Advisory BoardThe Advisory Board consists of community members who provide valuable advice and other assistance in support of our mission to fight poverty by helping low-income Contra Costa residents gain the competence and confidence to support themselves and their families. They are:
You may unsubscribe from our periodic emails here. Please note that we do not sell or lease our email newsletter list to anyone. Newsletter Contributors: Alissa Friedman, Brianna Burkman, Jesse Golden, and Ryan Fernandes.
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Carole left her internship to take a position as receptionist at JFK University in August of 2002, and she has stayed at JFK ever since, through the move to Pleasant Hill and other changes. "Originally, I really liked the idea of being able to take classes to further my education," she explains. "Over time, I grew to really appreciate many other things about the university." 
with sound separation," explains Executive Director Alissa Friedman. "That puts us in a position to run concurrent programs if we can get space-efficient computer desks and computers to furnish those classrooms."
the evening Computer Basics series. Expansion programs aimed at parents of young children and at young adults are among the possibilities being considered, should funding be available.
Opportunity Junction will be continuing Do-It-Yourself Tax Assistance this year, helping low-income families prepare and file their own taxes electronically for free so that they can get the fastest possible refund.
Chevron: 
Anonymous Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation: The Anonymous Fund has issued two separate grants this year. The first is an unrestricted grant for core operating support, to be used where most needed. The second is a grant that challenges us to develop our own self-sufficiency by increasing our roster of donors, matching new and increased donations during our July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008 fiscal year.