Opportunity Junction® fights poverty by helping low-income Contra Costa residents gain the skills and confidence to support themselves and their families.
In this issue...
Featured Alumna
Laid off from her retail position, Xochil seized the opportunity to get the confidence she needed to open the door to a real career. Here's her story...
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New year, new challenge: 2008 challenge grant from the Anonymous Fund of the East Bay Community Foundation stretches us to find even more new donors. More... |
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Time again to celebrate: Join us and guest speaker Supervisor Susan A. Bonilla Thursday, August 21 at 6 pm as we graduate class 26 of our Job Training and Placement Program. More... |
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Jobs at the Junction: We're looking for a Project Manager and Microsoft Trainer thanks to the promotion of existing staff members. More... |
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Familiar Faces, New Titles: Congratulations to Jesse Golden and Brianna Burkman who have assumed new positions and responsibilities at Opportunity Junction! More... |
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September 2 starts our next application period for the Job Training and Placement Program. And if you're mystified by all the pushing we do to recruit candidates, here's some information you might need. More... |
Regular Features
Wish List
Tips and Tricks: Free Computers and e-Waste
News: Grants
Funders
Hiring Partners and Friends
Ways to Get Involved
Contact the Staff
Board and Advisory Board
Xochil Rodriguez: "I love being more confident, self-sufficient, and comfortable with myself."
Xochil Rodriguez knew she wanted something better for herself and her family. But having spent the previous five years in retail, she didn't know what else to do. The all-night retail hours were bad and the close to minimum wage pay was worse, but Xochil lacked the skills and confidence she needed to start heading down a career path. When she was laid off from her last retail job, Xochil knew this was the time for something more.
She heard about Opportunity Junction through CalWORKs and also had a friend applying to the program. “I knew it would be hard for my husband to support the family on his carpenter income alone," Xochil shares, "but it was time for me to make a change. Luckily, income my husband earned working overtime, and help from CalWORKs, made it possible for me to participate in the program."
Once she was accepted, Xochil was overwhelmed by the support and assistance of everyone who worked there. Not long after she started, her family had a housing crisis when the house she was renting went into foreclosure. "Natalie [Georgia, Manager of Personal Development] was incredible while helping me find a place to live. She helped me find lists of homes to rent while also connecting me to other resources," Xochil remembers.
In addition to the informal housing assistance, Xochil was also able to build her self-confidence by learning and then helping to teach computer skills. "I am so much more confident speaking in front of people, and I love to show people new things on the computer."
Most recently, Xochil used her new poise to earn a position as an Administrative Assistant with Jim Lanter State Farm Insurance. Responsible for more than traditional administrative duties, Xochil is also learning and practicing multiple aspects of the insurance field such as working with customers and practicing quotes.
"Xochil has all of the skills to learn the insurance business and settle in to work in our office for a long time," Insurance Agent Jim Lanter explains. "We hope that she will start licensing school in November to become certified to sell property and casualty insurance and life insurance. We want to help her grow in this environment because she has the potential for a long career once she finishes the classes and learning what the business is about."
"I love this new opportunity and the independence my new career has helped my family gain," Xochil states. "Now I can get things for my kids when they ask for them, and we are hoping to plan a family vacation to Disneyland. I would really encourage anyone to apply to see if they are a fit for this great program."
We Want You to Help Us Meet a Matching Challenge
As of July 1, we begin a new matching grant, thanks to the Anonymous Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation. The Anonymous Fund trustee, impressed by the way our individual donors rallied to reach our $45,000 target for last year, issued us a new challenge: to go beyond this record amount and bring in an additional $25,000 in new or increased donations by next June.
Phew! To meet the challenge, we'll again turn to the many people who were so generous last year. In addition, we'll need to intensify our efforts to reach out and find more people who support our mission: to fight poverty by helping low-income adults gain the skills and confidence they need to support.
Our individual donors are vital to our ability to offer training, support, literacy education and community computer access. We're seeing record numbers of people asking to be admitted to our Job Training and Placement Program, reflecting the difficult economic climate. At the same time, some funders are letting us know that they may need to cut back on the support they provide. Building our base of individual donors is our best strategy for survival.
One of the new ways we'll be reaching out this year is to find folks who can host "friend-raising" parties – ways to introduce their friends to learn about Opportunity Junction's programs and get involved. If you're interested in hosting, or know someone who might be willing to host, please let us know!
Join Supervisor Bonilla at Graduation August 21
Join us Thursday, August 21 at 6 pm at our offices at 3102 Delta Fair Blvd. as trainees from Class 26 of Opportunity Junction's Job Training and Placement program graduate. The event is free and open to the public and refreshments will be served!
We are pleased to have District IV Supervisor Susan A. Bonilla
As for the 14 graduating trainees graduating class - having been selected from among our largest recruitment pool ever, they’ve come a long way since first walking through our doors. "For a long time, I let outside obstacles stop me from striving for the best," shares trainee Kimberly Mercer. "I know now that I can experience the same successes I have in the classroom here in the workplace as well."
Trainee Jessica Gomez surprised herself: "I am surprised by how well I did on all of my tests because I was never a great test taker in school. This program showed me that I can learn, and taught me to have more confidence in the workplace."
"I have really enjoyed seeing this class come together and support each other," states Brianna Burkman, who taught the intensive course in computer skills. "The trainees encourage each other and share in each other’s success. Their ability to work as a team and resolve problems makes me confident that they will all succeed in the workplace."
Wanted: Project Manager and Software Trainer
Staff changes (see article below) have opened the door for a new position: 50% Project Manager, 50% Software Trainer. We will accept applications either for the full-time combined position, or for either position as a half-time position with pro-rated benefits.
The Software Trainer teaches classes in Word, Excel and other business software, preparing trainees for their internship and permanent employment in office administrative positions.
The Project Manager manages our internal business service called DataWorks, which provides work experience for the student interns. DataWorks provides paid business services for external clients as well as non-paid projects for internal needs. The Project Manager directly supervises teams of student interns to carry out these projects. The Project Manager also has responsibility for day-to-day systems administration functions, such as computer and network maintenance.
If you are interesting in applying or in learning more about the position, please see our posting on Craigslist.
Familiar Faces, New Titles
Two familiar faces on our staff now come with new titles - Jesse Golden is now Deputy Director for Opportunity Junction. This new position was created as we reviewed current staff assignments and prepared to add the new position of Manager of Fundraising and Special Projects, thanks to seed funding from the East Bay Community Foundation. As Deputy Director, Jesse is responsible for managing Opportunity Junction's Job Training and Placement Program and Technology Center programs, as well as some aspects of outreach and marketing.
Jesse came to Opportunity Junction in 2003 with a background in Adult Education as well as sales and marketing, and was responsible for the design and implementation of the Technology Center Program. In spring of this year, she completed a certificate program in Teaching English as a Second Language through UC Berkeley's Extension program. She says, "My favorite part of my new job description is 'maintenance of a culture of inclusion, respect and fun.' That's a duty I can enthusiastically fulfill!"
The new position of Manager of Fundraising and Special Projects will be filled by Brianna Burkman. Brianna has been instructing the computer skills classes and managing DataWorks while learning the rudiments of our grant writing process. In her new position, Brianna will be focusing more attention on grant writing in addition to event planning and marketing.
Brianna has been with Opportunity Junction for two years as both a volunteer and as the Project Manager. She has her BA in English and two masters degrees in Educational Psychology and Educational Administration. "I am excited to expand my role with Opportunity Junction and to learn more about the fundraising side of working for a non-profit," Brianna shares. "There is honestly no other place I would rather work."
Job Training and Placement Program: Recruitment Demystified
It's starting again; September 2-18 will be the application period for the next class of the Job Training and Placement Program. Thanks to the many individuals and organizations that help us get the word out, we expect to interview nearly 100 people in order to select up to 20 low-income Contra Costa residents for Class 27. But why, we're often asked, do we push so hard to encourage more people to apply, knowing that we can accept only 20?
"We've found that we need to screen many applicants to find those people who are really ready for our program," explains Natalie Georgia, Manager of Personal Development and the staff member who drives the recruitment process. "We have some basic requirements: applicants must be low income, at least 18 years old, with at least a 7th grade reading level, and be able to go through 12 full weeks of training, before starting a paid internship."
"We also require 6 months sobriety for those with substance abuse issues, and of course people have to be ready and able to work full time. But beyond that, we need to find those people who will commit to reach the goal of getting the skills and confidence they need to support themselves and their families, and are willing to be teachable and to stretch themselves."
In addition, Opportunity Junction is committed to serving the communities of Bay Point, Brentwood, and Oakley, and it can be challenging to make sure that enough people apply from those areas. "For someone who may be living on the edge financially, just a trip of 10 miles to our office can seem like a big obstacle," explains Deputy Director Jesse Golden. "We're continuing to offer bus passes to folks from those three communities if they need that help to attend the program.
Those interested in the program are asked to come in by 10 a.m. for an information session on any of the application days: Sept 2, 3, or 4; Sept. 8, 9, 10, or 11; Sept. 15, 16, 17 or 18. After a 40-minute information session, those interested will be scheduled for an interview and a reading assessment. The class is selected by staff from among those who complete all the elements of the application process.
Wish List
Many thanks to those who have already responded with gifts and offers. Here is our current wish list:
- See-through, extra-large plastic containers with lids;
- Folding chairs in good condition;
- LCD flat-panel monitors;
- Secretarial chairs;
- Wrist rests;
- Folding chairs in good condition;
- Personal printer;
- Microwave;
- Video camera;
- Licenses you don't need for Windows XP or Windows 2000 and Office 2000 or Office 2003, for our Computers for the Community program (sending computers home with our alumni and participants);
- Computers (minimum Pentium III, 512 MB Ram, 20 GB hard drive, 1 GHz); and
- Utility shelves.
Tips and Tricks: Free Computers and E-waste
In our last newsletter, "IT Tech" gave advice about improving performance on an older PC. This month we want to mention a great resource, both for people who need a computer but can't afford one, and for those who want to recycle their old electronic items.
Free computers? Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! In this case, Santa goes by the name of Alameda County Computer Resource Center (ACCRC). ACCRC gives free refurbished computers to economically and/or physically disadvantaged individuals as well as to schools and non-profit organizations, and Contra Costa residents are welcome to apply. Their web page says, "Although our computers are all old enough that they were discarded by their previous owners, the ones that we refurbish are still perfectly adequate for most home, school, and office applications." The computers come loaded with Linux and free software -- not Microsoft Windows or Office, but close enough that Windows users should have no problems using the software or opening and saving files created with Windows software. What's the catch? Well, you do have to fill out an application and then wait an unknown amount of time until notified by ACCRC that your computer is ready. However, students in our evening program have applied for, and received, computers, so we know it does happen.
Got recyclables? ACCRC says, "We'll take it! We will recycle anything that you can plug into a power outlet. This means we will recycle your computer, VCR, television, copy machine, and even your microwave and toaster, but not your large appliances such as a washing machine or refrigerator. When you give us your computer, you will receive a tax write-off, and we will attempt to fix your equipment and then give it away to someone who is unable to afford to buy a computer. If we are unable to reuse your equipment, it will be recycled in an environmentally friendly manner."
To donate your equipment, bring it to ACCRC during open hours (M-F 9-5; Sat. 12-5; located at 1501 Eastshore Hwy, Berkeley, California, 94710. (However, if it's a working later-model PC, consider donating it to Opportunity Junction! Our minimum PC standards: Pentium III, 1 GB Ram, 20 GB hard drive, 1 GHz. Monitors must be flat-screen)
New Grants and Support for our Programs
- California Consumer Protection Foundation: The Community Collaborative Fund of the California Consumer Protection Foundation has made a 12-month grant to support the Job Training and Placement Program. The CCF has previously funded the development of the Opportunity Junction Job Training and Placement Documentation Toolkit and market research into local employer needs, supporting our strategic initiatives of replicating and expanding our programs.
- The Citi Foundation: The Citi Foundation has generously agreed
to continue its support of financial education in our Job Training and Placement Program and the Do-It-Yourself Tax Assistance program. The Citi Foundation is committed to enhancing economic opportunities for underserved individuals and families in the communities where they work throughout the world. - Diablo Country Club Charitable Foundation: We are pleased to have new grant support from the Diablo Country Club Charitable Foundation. The Foundation has approved support for the Job Training and Placement Program for this year.
- Thomas J. Long Foundation: The Thomas J. Long Foundation has continued their generous support for the internship phase of the Job Training and Placement Program. The Foundation has also championed the internship program by hiring DataWorks interns to provide on-site, temporary administrative support.
- van Löben Sels/Rembe Rock Foundation: Opportunity Junction is excited to have received a new grant from the van Löben Sels/RembeRock Foundation. The Foundation's goal is to promote social justice and the well-being of the underserved residents and communities of Northern California. Their specific focus is public interest law and direct social service programs to youth and vulnerable at-risk populations.
Funding and In-Kind Partners
1200 Foundation Allied WasteAntioch Area Community Fund
Antioch Rotary
Brickyard Family Fund
California Consumer Protection Foundation
California Employment Development Department
Chevron
Citibank Foundation
City of Antioch CDBG Program
City of Pittsburg CDBG Program
Comcast
ConocoPhillips
Contra Costa County CDBG Program
Contra Costa County
Employment & Human Services
Contra Costa Newspapers
Cosmetic Dental Spa
Craigslist Foundation
CRA International
Criterion Catalyst
Diablo County Club Charitable Foundation
Diablo Magazine
Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation
Dow Chemical East Bay Community Foundation
Eichleay Engineering
Emerald Consulting
Firedoll Foundation
Five Bridges Foundation
GWF Power Systems
J. Stokes and Associates
John Muir Health
Kaiser Permanente
Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund
KUIC 95.3 FM, Your Hometown Station
The Mechanics Bank
Mirant California
Morgan Lewis
Morrison & Foerster
NECA-IBEW
Nelson Staffing
Orinda Women's Club
Pacific Gas & Electric
Pittsburg Adult Education Center
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 159
The PMI Foundation
San Francisco Foundation
SMART Modular
Soroptimists International of Pittsburg Service Fund
Stanford Alumni Consulting Team
Temen, Kaiser and Cameron, CPAs
Tesoro Petroleum
Thomas J. Long Foundation
Thomas Morris Design
UA Local 159
United Way of the Bay Area
USS POSCO Industries
Valero Benicia Refinery
van Löben Sels/Rembe Rock Foundation
Wells Fargo Foundation
WestAmerica Bank
Opportunity Junction Hiring Partners
Hiring 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:
- Ascot Staffing
- Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
- Contra Costa Child Care Council
- CASA of Contra Costa County
- Contra Costa Council
- Contra Costa County Superior Court
- Eichleay Engineering
- La Tapatia Mexican Restaurant
- Nelson Family of Companies
- Office of Supervisor Federal Glover
- Springboard Advisors
- USS Posco Industries
- Venturi Staffing Partners
Friends of Opportunity Junction
The 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, Sue George, and Sue Kidd.
Ways to Get Involved
If you share our vision, we'll find a way to help you get involved - whatever your schedule, whatever your resources. You can:
- Volunteer with the day or evening program. We have positions for mentors, tutors, mock interviewers, and much more.
- Employ an Opportunity Junction graduate. Our candidates are proficient, experienced and motivated.
- Hire DataWorks. Our unique service offers temporary help and project completion. From database management to mailings, we're fast, reliable and cost-effective.
- Give. Your tax-deductible contribution will change a life.
Contact the Opportunity Junction Staff
We 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:
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Job Training and Placement Program, contact Manager of Personal Development Natalie Georgia;
- Employment opportunities for alumni, contact Manager of Professional Development Michelle Stewart;
- Evening Technology Center, contact Deputy Director Jesse Golden;
- Integrated mental health services, contact Director of Counseling Catherine Warren;
- DataWorks business services, contact Manager of Fundraising and Special Projects Brianna Burkman;
- Communications and donations, contact Executive Director Alissa Friedman;
- Accounting and human resources, contact Accountant Pam Elliott.
The Opportunity Junction Board of Directors
- Keith Archuleta, Founding Partner, Emerald Consulting
- Linda Best, Executive Director, Contra Costa Council
- George Birdsong, President, Springboard Advisors
- Janet Brown, Housing Specialist, Center for Independent Living
- Sandy Bustillo, Division Manager for Welfare to Work and Employment Placement Services, Contra Costa County Workforce Services
- Val Davis, East County Advocate
- Mary Erbez, Retired, City of Pittsburg
- Sue George, Chair, Friends of Opportunity Junction
- Mary Jane Hargrove, Consultant, Accounting and Bookkeeping
- Rick Kaiser, CPA, CFP, Temen, Kaiser & Cameron CPAs, LLC
- Jack Kane, Vice-Principal, Pittsburg Adult Education Center
- Nancy Parent, Councilmember, City of Pittsburg
- Ricardo M. Perez, D.D.S., Owner, Cosmetic Dental Spa
- Jayne Sanford, Area Manager, Mechanics Bank
- Tonya Smith, Assistant, Office of Supervisor Federal Glover
- Ashoo Vaid, District Manager, Wells Fargo Bank
The Opportunity Junction Advisory Board
The 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:
- Iris Archuleta, Transitional Management Consultant, Emerald Consulting
- Philip Arndt, Franchising & Government Affairs Manager, Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.
- Robert Beck, Principal, Pittsburg Adult Education Center
- Sharon Beswick, Principal, Antioch Area Community Fund
- The Honorable Susan Bonilla, County Supervisor, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
- Timothy Carlisle, Senior Network Analyst, Contra Costa County Department of Information Technology
- Jennie Carpenter, Program Officer, United Way of the Bay Area
- George Carter, Business Services Representative, Contra Costa County Workforce Development Board
- Debrah Cook, Community Engagement Specialist, Chevron Corporation
- The Honorable Mark Desaulnier, Assemblymember, California State Assembly
- Aimee Durfee, Program Officer, United Way of the Bay Area
- Lester Ellis, Founder, 1200 Foundation
- The Honorable Federal Glover, County Supervisor, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
- Maria Gomez-Felix, President, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Tom Guarino, East Bay Public Affairs Manager, PG&E
- Dr. Laurie Huffman, Faculty Member, Los Medanos College
- Jim Jakel, City Manager, City of Antioch
- Mark Kehoe, Director of Environmental and Safety Programs, GWF Power Systems
- Devi Lanphere, President/CEO, Antioch Chamber of Commerce
- Danae Lui, Dow Chemical
- James Miner, Law Student, Golden Gate University
- Meryl Natchez, CEO, TechProse
- Juan Francisco Prieto, Family Development Specialist, California Human Development Corporation
- The Honorable Kevin Romick, Mayor, City of Oakley
- Timothy Silva, Community Development Manager, Wells Fargo Bank
- The Honorable Arne Simonsen, Council Member, City of Antioch
- Tse Ming Tam, Vice President, Community Investment, United Way of the Bay Area
- The Honorable Tom Torlakson, State Senator, California State Senate
- René Tucker, Employer Liaison, EASTBAYWorks - Brentwood
- Carole Watson, Chief Investment Officer, Self-Sufficiency, United Way of the Bay Area
- Ronald Wetter, Community & Government Relations Manager, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.
- Alma Williams, Staff Specialist, Kaiser Permanente
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Newsletter Contributors: Alissa Friedman, Jesse Golden, and Brianna Burkman.
copyright © 2008, Opportunity Junction
