Opportunity Junction

In this issue...

Featured Alumna

When she was 21, Heidi Wagner thought she had her life on track. She had the same great job for four years, she had almost finished paying off her new car, and she had a great relationship with her family. That all changed when she was seduced into a glamorous yet dangerous lifestyle.

"I met this guy who was very charming and from a lifestyle I had never imagined," Heidi shares. "He showered me with expensive gifts, brought me to parties, and slowly introduced me to drugs." It wasn't long before Heidi had completely fallen for the lifestyle and everything that was involved. Before she knew it, she had alienated her family and become completely addicted to drugs.

Soon after, Heidi was fired when her boyfriend stole from her employer. With her credit cards maxed, Heidi lost her car and her boyfriend and found herself homeless, pregnant, and still addicted to drugs.

"My family took me in when I was pregnant, and I was able to quit drugs until my son was born. After he was born, however, I slipped back into that lifestyle. I didn't get the help I needed until my family took my son away from me." That's when Heidi entered a three-month recovery program that allowed her to bring her son with her.

Six months into her recovery, Heidi's counselor at Shared Family Care Program told her about Opportunity Junction and the training and support she could get there. "Opportunity Junction saved me," Heidi remembers. "They kept me busy and off drugs. They built my self-esteem and reminded me that I was intelligent. Everyone on staff is a role model."

During her internship, Heidi found her first job since being fired, and since being clean, as a PM Supervisor for Dutch Girl Cleaners. "I get to work with customers one-on-one in a supportive environment. I have been in this position for five months, and I am excited about opportunities for advancement within the company."

"Opportunity Junction taught me a work ethic that I still carry with me today. I also love having a job that lets me buy my son shoes when he needs them. I even have money to save in a college fund for my son's future. I couldn't have done all of this without Opportunity Junction's help."

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Remodeling Begins with Help of Stimulus Dollars

Remodeling began last week at Opportunity Junction. The construction separates out the classrooms, adds a second computer lab, and includes all the offices and bathrooms we'll need to double our capacity.

The winning bidder for the project was James Sansom of BLB Construction. Opportunity Junction staff get to visit James -- or J, as we call him -- and the construction site daily, because our temporary offices are just across the street at 2549 San Jose Drive (beside the Wells Fargo ATMs).

We are tremendously grateful to the entities that have granted us funding to proceed with this project -- the Community Development Block Grant Programs of Contra Costa, Pittsburg, and Antioch, working with funds made available through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (stimulus funding) -- and to the professionals who have generously donated their time to develop the architectural and engineering drawings: Concord-based architecture firm DCI and Dublin's Belden Consulting Engineers.

All programs will continue to operate while we are at 2549 San Jose Drive, so don't be shy: stop on by!

If you're interested in more details about the actual renovation plans, you are welcome to visit the website we prepared for the firms that bid on the contract.

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Opportunity Junction Seeks Call Center Cubicles and Other Furniture

The Opportunity Junction wish list includes more furniture than usual, as we look forward to moving into our newly remodeled digs at the end of the summer. Topping the list are 3' wide call center cubicles, and other high-priority items on our wish list include:

• Life Skills classroom tables (5' by 2', ideally on wheels);
• Computer Skills lab tables (5' or 7.5' by 2', ideally with adjustable height); and
• A new reception desk.

Thanks to previous furniture donations from Chevron, arranged by Kathleen Carr, we have great office chairs. We may need more as we expand into a second computer classroom, but it isn't the highest priority on our list.

Please contact Brianna Burkman at 925-776-1133 if you have any leads that we should pursue. Thanks!

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Open During Construction! Check Out Our Temporary Location.

When we found an unoccupied storefront across the street from our permanent location, we knew we had found the perfect solution to our temporary needs. However, the building was not quite move-in ready. It took some elbow grease and plenty of volunteer hours, but staff was able to transform the old Soccer Magic at 2549 San Jose Dr. into a new Opportunity Junction.

After some clever space planning (and lots of items in temporary storage), Opportunity Junction is successfully running all programs. Some serious electrical help from Dan Garcia of ICR Electrical Contractors, volunteer dry wall patching, a new coat of paint (care of volunteers and staff members), and lots of cleaning made the place inhabitable.

We now have 18 seats in our training lab for our Job Training and Placement Program and evening computer classes. We have 17 computers available for our interns, alumni center, and open evening computer lab. We even have a small space used for Life Skills, Business Math and English, and ESL classes.

We are happy to say that we are doing business as usual. Come check us out if you have a chance!

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On Thursday August 20 at 6:00 p.m., come join us as Class 29 celebrates completion of the first phase of the Job Training and Placement Program. We're grateful to the Community Presbyterian Church for providing their ample Social Hall for this event (with the re-configuration of our offices, we'll be holding our graduations off-site from now on!)

Antioch Councilmember Reggie Moore will be our special guest speaker. The City of Antioch supports our programs and organizations in many ways, from partnering on DataWorks placements and externships to its strong and vital support through the Community Development Block Grant program. We are grateful for Councilmember Moore's support of our organization and our Job Training and Placement Program.

Class 29, having successfully completed 12 weeks of intensive training in computer and life skills, moves on after the graduation ceremony to Phase 2 of the Job Training and Placement Program, a paid internship combining career skills, job search and work experience. Interns use the internship period to find a good job that utilizes their skills and moves them forward on the road to self-sufficiency, with help from our Manager of Professional Development, Michelle Stewart.

When employers hire our interns as temporary workers through our DataWorks program, the interns get valuable work experience, and employers get a great deal – including the option to hire without any placement fee. Employers may be able to receive or carry forward a Work Opportunity Tax Credit of up to $9,000 for permanent hires – talk to our staff for details!

Class 29 trainee Nicole Sherman says, "I've improved my confidence level markedly through being in the Job Training and Placement Program, both because I've learned the skills needed to compete in the job market, and because I've developed my ability to speak in front of others and my confidence in my own judgment.

"It feels good to know that I'm doing something to better myself, and everyone here is extremely supportive and helpful."

Community Presbyterian Church is located at 200 E. Leland Rd., Pittsburg 94565. Click here for a map to the church.

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Job Training & Placement Program Recruits Next Class Starting Aug. 31

Do you know a Contra Costa resident who might want to learn computer and life skills and get help and support in finding a good job? From August 31 to September 16, they can apply to enter the Opportunity Junction Job Training and Placement Program, which is offered at no cost to low-income Contra Costa residents. Detailed information about the program is available here, including frequently-asked questions such as:

What kind of training do you offer?
The Opportunity Junction Job Training and Placement Program begins with twelve weeks of training on software programs including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Adobe Acrobat, and QuickBooks, as well as training in Life Skills, Business Math and Business English. In the second phase of the program, participants get more practice using their skills, as well as paid work experience, while starting their job search.

What kinds of jobs will the training prepare me for?
The training will prepare you for jobs such as office and administrative support staff, customer service representative, or other jobs where knowledge of Microsoft Office is needed.

Who will be considered for the program? We'll consider applicants who:

• Are highly motivated to pursue full-time employment after training.
• Are able to make a full-time commitment to the program.
• Are low-income Contra Costa County residents.
• Are at least 18 years of age.
• Read at a 7th grade level or higher on a standardized test.
• Are eligible to work in the United States.

To apply, attend an information session on one of these dates at 10 a.m.: Aug 31; Sept. 1, 2, 3; Sept. 8, 9, 10; Sept. 14, 15, 16. Applicants are encouraged to come at least 15 minutes early. After the information session, applicants are scheduled for an interview and a reading assessment. We expect to be back in our office at 3102 Delta Fair Boulevard by August 31, but if not, a sign will direct visitors to our temporary quarters at 2549 San Jose Drive.

If you're interested in helping us spread the word about this program, please contact us for flyers, or print them from our web site at www.opportunityjunction.org/flyer.

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• 36" call center style cubicles;
• LCD flat-panel monitors;
• NEC model DTU telephones;
• Headsets for NEC Electra Elite phones;
• Laminating machine;
• See-through, extra-large plastic containers with lids;
• Vacuum cleaner;
• Folding chairs in good condition;
• Wrist rests;
• 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.

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As we go to press, we are proud to announce funding partnerships with the following organizations:

• The Citi Foundation: Citi has awarded a grant to support our Do-It-Yourself Tax Assistance program this year. The program helps low-income families prepare their own taxes, and it also provides financial education on topics including credit repair, homeownership, and income subsidies. All services are free, staffing is entirely by alumni of the Job Training and Placement Program.
• The California Consumer Protection Foundation: The Community Collaborative Fund of the California Consumer Protection Foundation has awarded a grant to both support our Job Training and Placement Program and fund the development of a Managing a Green Office curriculum. The new curriculum will be tested on the next classes of Job Training and Placement Program trainees and will include the reduction of paper waste, conversion to energy-efficient appliances and machinery, computer workstation power management, break room and restroom supplies and cleaning, and HVAC issues.
• The Firedoll Foundation: The Firedoll Foundation has awarded a grant to support our Job Training and Placement Program in FY2009-10. The Firedoll Foundation concentrates it Community Development grant making in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, with a focus on the development of self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship and community services.

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Opportunity Junction wishes to acknowledges all of its corporate, foundation and government funders, sponsors, and in-kind providers:

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:

• Abilicorp, Inc
• 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

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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, Selma Moore, Sue George, and Sue Kidd.

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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.

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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:

• 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 DataWorks Manager Michael Tress;
• Communications and donations, contact Executive Director Alissa Friedman; or
• Accounting and human resources, contact Accountant Pam Elliott.

• Keith Archuleta, Founding Partner, Emerald Consulting
• Linda Best, Executive Director, Contra Costa Council
• George Birdsong, President, Springboard Advisors
• 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
• Charlotte Evans, Wharton School Visiting Board Member
• Sue George, Chair, Friends of Opportunity Junction
• Mary Jane Hargrove, Consultant, Accounting and Bookkeeping
• Rick Kaiser, CPA, CFP, Temen, Kaiser & Cameron CPAs, LLC
• Nancy Parent, Councilmember, City of Pittsburg
• Ricardo M. Perez, D.D.S., Owner, Cosmetic Dental Spa
• 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, Senator, California State Senate
• 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
• 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, City of Oakley
• Jayne Sanford, Area Manager, Mechanics Bank
• Timothy Silva, Community Development Manager, Wells Fargo Bank
• Arne Simonsen
• Tse Ming Tam, Vice President, Community Investment, United Way of the Bay Area
• The Honorable Tom Torlakson, Assemblymember, California State Assembly
• 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

The Opportunity Junction Alumni Council

The Alumni Council consists of alumni of our Job Training and Placement Program who advise on alumni services, program design, and organizational initiatives. They are:

• Janet Brown, Class 13
• Donald Buchanan, Class 12
• Rashonda Deloney, Class 17
• Renee McCarty, Class 22
• Kimberly Mercer, Class 26
• Maria Rigazio, Class 23
• Leslie Wood, Class 23

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Newsletter Contributors: Alissa Friedman, Brianna Burkman, and Jesse Golden.

copyright © 2008, Opportunity Junction

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