Tracy L: "Opportunity Junction helped me feel validated and appreciated."
For years, Tracy L. was living the American Dream. Her husband was in the mortgage industry at the peak of its boon. Tracy, her husband, and her two kids had it all: a great house with pool, two new cars, a boat, a commercial property, and enough income to allow Tracy to stay home and raise her kids.
All of that changed when the economy changed. As the mortgage industry failed, Tracy's American Dream slowly slipped away. Her family first lost their commercial property, and then their boat, a car, and finally their home.
"It was not until we had lost everything that I realized how serious the situation was," Tracy shares. "I thought things would bounce back. When we had to move in with my mother-in-law, I knew I was going to have to go back to work."
But Tracy had been out of the workforce for 12 years raising her family. Although she had past professional experience, her skills were outdated and her confidence was lacking. Tracy happened upon a flyer for the Job Training and Placement Program while waiting for her son at the Antioch library. As she wrote down the information, she thought it seemed too good to be true: free training and paid work experience.
"Coming here showed me I was smart and capable and that I had a contribution. As a stay at home mom, you forget that—you get taken for granted and you don't get the acknowledgement you get in a workplace. Opportunity Junction helped me regain my confidence," Tracy says.
 But like so many looking for work today, Tracy's journey toward her new career went slowly. She applied for dozens of jobs during her internship with almost zero response. In June she sent in an application for a position with Contra Costa County. After a month of hearing nothing, she was asked to come in and take the County Pre-employment Exam. Several weeks later, she received an email for a first interview.
Although she felt confident about her interviews and test results, Tracy was slightly disheartened finishing her internship without finding a position. But she remained steadfast in her determination to find a job. Only a couple weeks after the internship ended, Tracy was called in for her second and third interviews. In early October, Tracy began her new full-time, benefitted position as Intermediate Clerk Project with Contra Costa County with a salary in the mid 30's.
"I love my new position and the career I can have with the County. I hope to pay off some debt, save some money, and move out into our own place. Within a year, I plan to be totally self-sufficient."
Tracy also hopes to take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program through the County to get her Bachelor's Degree. "I am focused and driven and excited to be in a position to help my family reach our goals and get back to our previous lifestyle—but a little smarter this time around."
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 This year, your gift means more than ever. Kourvahcia is earning more than ever before, after earning a raise and promotion after less than six months at a large television repair company. Opportunities are growing, and your donations, connections, volunteering, and support helped Kourvahcia take advantage of those opportunities.
 We thank you on behalf of the families, too: daughters proud of mothers, and mothers proud of daughters. "Now I set a better example for my daughters, who are awesome in school, straight-A students." You are a part of this, and we invite you to join this year's fundraising campaign.
Please consider an online donation now! We pay no credit card fees on donations made online using Google checkout. We are almost halfway to our December 31st individual fundraising goal, thanks to the following generous donors:
Leadership Circle ($2,500 to $4,999)
Jerry and Belinda Lucey
Cheri Smith
Benefactor ($1,000 to $2,499)
Leo and Ann Fontana
Alissa Friedman and Victoria Herzog
Jeff Johnson |
Partner ($250 to $999)
Bob and Jessica Deloso
Mary Jane Hargove
Jan and Reg Monteyne |
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Advocate ($100 to $249)
Anonymous (1)
Kris Chase
Joseph and Lagene Goodreault
Jean Harris, in honor of Ora de Bose
Matthew Hart, Esq.
Steven Lassair
Kathy and Tom Leahy
Rich McDaniel
Nancy Reuther
Jayne Sanford |
Supporter (up to $99)
Jo Fasciona * Sally Gray * Margarethe Harper * Robert and Irmgard Kaiser * Sue and Bill Kidd * Diego Ramirez II * Janet Thomas* Theodora Wallace * Cathy and Daniel Worthington
In-Kind (gifts of needed items)
Tim Argenti (Allied Waste) * Vincent Arroyo (Vincent Arroyo Winery) * Kathleen Carr (Chevron) * Sue and Steve George * Ernie Guerrero (La Tapatia) * Franko Ismen (Rockcliff Realtors) * Denise and Ed Silicani * Bill and Alexis Stanger * Jerilou Twohey * Jeff Warrenburg (Golf 'n' Games) * Barbara Whitlock |
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Class 30 graduation December 17
On Thursday December 17 at 6:00 p.m., come join us as Class 30 celebrates completion of the first phase of the Job Training and Placement Program at the Community Presbyterian Church Social Hall.
Antioch Mayor Jim Davis will be our special guest speaker. The City of Antioch supports our programs and organizations in many ways, from partnering on work experience for our interns, to grants through the Community Development Block Grant program. We are grateful for Mayor Davis' support throughout.
After the graduation ceremony Class 30, having successfully completed 12 weeks of intensive training in computer and life skills, moves on to Phase Two of the Job Training and Placement Program, the internship. This is a paid training, 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 on a temporary basis, the interns get valuable work experience, and employers get hard-working and cost-effective temporary help - plus 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 30 trainee Laquesha Pierce says, "Being in this program has helped me better understand my capability and improve my self-confidence. I have come such a long way in these past weeks. I love the person I have become, and thank Opportunity Junction for that. Knowing that I am bettering myself is allowing me to continue forward with a positive outlook on my future."
You can join us to congratulate Laquesha and her classmates on December 17 in the Social Hall at Community Presbyterian Church, located at 200 E. Leland Rd., Pittsburg 94565. Click here for a map to the church.
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Chevron Presents "Reaching for the Dream" April 17, 2010
 Opportunity Junction's Events Committee is already busy working on a follow-up to the incredibly successful 2009 Gala, and the pieces are falling into place. Please save the date and look forward to a fabulous event April 17, 6pm at the Diablo Country Club:
- Presented by Chevron
- Emceed by Cheryl Hurd of NBC Bay Area News
- With auctioneer Dennis McCormac and a capella music by the Golden Overtones
- Located at the stunning Diablo Country Club
- Drawing on the creativity and inspiration of Events Committee members Jane Collett, Selma Moore, Kathy Leahy, Betty Stokes, Mary Ann Shattuck, Trish Shattuck, Carol Altwarg, Beth Joyce, Sue George, and Anne Birdsong, and
- Staffed by Brianna Burkman, Manager of Fundraising and Special Projects, and her team of Job Training interns and alumni.
We are seeking donations of auction items and can even accommodate early ticket sales. Thanks to all who have supported us in all these ways through the years.
Our sponsorship drive is well under way. Can you join Chevron and these organization that have already signed up as sponsors? The Sponsorship Invitation is available on our website.
Presenting Sponsor:
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Silver Sponsors:
ConocoPhillips
Cosmetic Dental Spa
GWF Power Systems
SpringBoard Advisors
Temen, Kaiser & Cameron
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Bronze Sponsors:
Dow Chemical
J. Stokes and Associates
Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 159
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Bronze Sponsors:
Dow Chemical
J. Stokes and Associates
Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 159
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A Great Evening of Art, Wine, and Food at Art for Opportunity
 
Thank you to the Antioch Rotary for the wonderful evening that raised enough money to more than double their contribution to Opportunity Junction.
A special thanks to Rick and Teresa Kaiser whose delicious food, including pork on hand-made gorditas,  carne asada with guacamole, and lamb with risotto, paired with Vincent Arroyo winery wines made the evening more than memorable.
The October 17 event was a great success for the organization thanks in part to our sponsors:   Vincent Arroyo Winery,The Dow Chemical Company, Drs. Roberto and Jessica Deloso, Gloria Martin and Family, Leo Fontana Family Foundation, Temen, Kaiser, & Cameron, CPAs and Umpqua Bank.
We are grateful to the sponsors, donors, guests, bidders, and volunteers who helped raise over $9,000 to support Opportunity Junction's training programs and capacity-building initiatives.
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 Don't you work hard for your money? You don't have to pay to get your taxes done and get a fast refund. You CAN prepare and file your own taxes correctly using a simple web interface, and get your full refund quickly!
Sessions of our Do-It-Yourself Tax Assistance program start January 29, 2010, and you can get a free ticket now. Sponsored by the Citi Foundation, evening and weekend sessions guide taxpayers through the I-CAN eFile web interface developed by the Legal Aid Society of Orange County. We're part of the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! coalition developed by the United Way of the Bay Area!
January 29 through February 6, Tax Week at Opportunity Junction, we'll double up on sessions to make sure taxpayers can file quickly for the fastest possible refund. Each session will also feature helpful hints on building credit, accessing free services, and opportunities for homebuying.
Last year, 95% of those who participated said they would use I-CAN eFile again this year. They called the interface "Easy" (70%) or "Understandable, but not easy" (30%). Full information, including a page of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are on our website.
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Open House was Great Fun for All who Toured the New Facility
Thank you to the many community members, volunteers, Board members, and more who attended our Open House introducing our new facilities. We were thrilled to have our new space visited by many elected and formerly elected officials including Supervisor Federal Glover, Antioch Mayor Jim Davis, Pittsburg Mayor (and Opportunity Junction Board member) Nancy Parent, Antioch Mayer Pro Tem Mary Rocha, and Gary Agopian.
"We were honored to have so many elected officials present, since we couldn't have done the remodeling without their support and couldn't run our programs without their partnership," Executive Director Alissa Friedman explains. "This couldn't have happened without 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 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."
 Visitors toured the newly designed facility while trick-or-treating from space to space. "Everyone is amazed how different the building looks and how much space we seem to have now," shares Friedman. "The place looks huge to us now -- bigger than when we didn't have walls."
If you couldn't make the Open House in October, feel free to stop by and check out our new facilities. If you give us a call in advance, we can even work out a private tour!
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Opportunity Junction Welcomes Norman Cheng
Opportunity Junction is pleased to welcome Norman Cheng to our permanent staff as our new Software Trainer and Analyst. Norman joins Opportunity Junction with over 15 years of database and project management roles in the software and financial services industries, where he worked on database software applications and reporting.
In addition to his instructor role at Opportunity Junction, Norman volunteers at an evening school in San Francisco teaching both English and U.S. Citizenship basics. Outside of work and volunteering, Norman enjoys music, specifically playing guitar, nature activities such as hiking and spending time with his family.
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Alumni News
 Friday, December 11 — Alumni Holiday Cookies, Cider, and Cheer.
Take a break from your kids and the holiday bustle!
Come join other Opportunity Junction/OPTIC alumni, staff, and current participants for our annual Holiday Get-Together from 6-8 pm.
 This year we are doing things a little differently. Rather than a full family party, we are going to have an alumni only Cookies, Cider and Cheer Celebration. Gifts for you and your kids will be available, but you must RSVP directly to Michelle and be present at the event to collect them.
If you plan on celebrating the holidays with us, remember to call Michelle at (925) 776-1133. Please make sure you speak with her directly and not just leave a voicemail or email!
We want to hear from you! Change in jobs or recent promotion? Maybe you just have some news you would like to share. Email Michelle Stewart, Manager of Professional Development, to let us know what you are up to recently or what we can do to improve our services. We can make it longer if we like the style, we can change it round...
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Wish List
Many thanks to those who have already responded with gifts and offers. Here is our current wish list:
- Digital Camera;
- See-through, extra-large plastic containers with lids;
- Vacuum cleaner;
- NEC model DTU telephones;
- Headsets for NEC Electra Elite phones;
- Laminating machine;
- Folding chairs in good condition;
- Wrist rests;
- 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 IV, 1 GB Ram, 20 GB hard drive, 1 GHz); and
- Utility shelves.
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New Grants and Support for our Programs
We are proud to announce funding partnerships with the following organizations:
 Calpine: At a breakfast meeting at the office of Supervisor Federal Glover, Calpine's Bill Richardson presented Opportunity Junction with a grant to support the Job Training and Placement Program. Calpine has had a long history of partnering with community organizations, as well as funding community and educational programs that seek to change lives and strengthen the fabric of our society. Vodafone Americas Foundation: The Vodafone Americas Foundation has also issued a grant to support the Job Training and Placement Program. The Foundation is proud to partner in Opportunity Junction's mission and appreciates Opportunity Junction's dedication and commitment to the communities of Eastern Contra Costa. Dow Chemical: Dow Chemical, also a partner in providing volunteers and sponsoring our galas, recently issued a grant to support Opportunity Junction's programs that fight poverty by helping low-income adults gain the skills and confidence to support themselves and their families.
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Funding and In-Kind Partners
Opportunity Junction wishes to acknowledges all of its corporate, foundation and government funders, sponsors, and in-kind providers:
Opportunity Junction Hiring Partners
Hiring Partners are companies that agree to consider graduates of the Opportunity Junction Job Training and Placement Program 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:
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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, Selma Moore, Sue George, and Sue Kidd.
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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:
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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:
- 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 Deputy Director Jesse Golden;
- Communications and donations, contact Executive Director Alissa Friedman;
- Fundraising Opportunities, contact Manager of Fundraising and Special ProjectsBrianna Burkman; or
- 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
- 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
- Will Rigney, Area Manager, External Affairs, AT&T
- 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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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 Norman Cheng.
copyright © 2009, Opportunity Junction
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November 2009
Because of You: "I'm earning more than ever before, and my daughters are proud of me." Please join this year's campaign donors. More...
Graduation December 17: Class 30 trainees will celebrate the completion of intensive training Thursday, December 17, with Antioch Mayor Jim Davis as guest speaker. More...
Congratulations: CCTV and Opportunity Junction's "Leslie's Video" won best Public Service Announcement at the Alliance for Community Media Western Region conference.
April 17, 2010: Chevron and Opportunity Junction present Reaching for the Dream at the Diablo Country Club. Sponsorships are available! More...
Art for Opportunity: The Antioch Rotary more than doubled their donation due to the success of this event featuring works by local artists, food & wine pairings, raffle and auction. More...
Open House: Trick-or-Treating, sparkling cider, and a pair of giant wooden scissors helped make our open house event fun for all. More...
New Hire: Opportunity Junction is pleased to welcome Norman Cheng to our permanent staff as our new Software Trainer and Analyst. More...
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