September 2009
| Opportunity Junction® fights poverty by helping low-income adults gain the skills and confidence to support themselves and their families. |
In this issue...
After years of nursing her sick mother, Anna Castellanos needed the skills to get back into the workforce. |
 We're Back!: After two months of remodeling, we've just moved back into our offices. You're invited to our Open House October 28 at 5:30 pm! More... Art for Opportunity: This Antioch Rotary sponsored event on October 17 will feature works by local artists, along with food and wine pairings, a raffle, and a live auction. More... Chevron Steps Up as Technology Sponsor: Chevron has made a special grant this year to upgrade our complete technology infrastructure -- from website to lab hardware to data-tracking. More... Class 30: A record 214 people attended information sessions at Opportunity Junction to learn about 20 slots in the Job Training and Placement Program. More... April 17, 2010: Chevron and Opportunity Junction present Reaching for the Dream at the Diablo Country Club. Sponsorships are available! More... Oppor-GREEN-ity Junction: As we introduce a new Green Office curriculum, we're evaluating our own office for energy efficiency and all things green. More... Week of Caring: An intrepid crew from Chevron goes above and beyond helping with building tables, painting, and more. More... |
Regular Features |
Featured Alumna Anna Castellanos: "Opportunity Junction gave me the motivation and self-confidence to not give up on what I wanted."
More than ten years ago, Anna Castellanos was on her way to a strong career working for a cancer center. But when her mother became ill, Anna sacrificed her career to stay home and provide in-home care. Five years later, Anna's mother passed away, and she found herself in need of another career but without current job or computer skills. Having recently become the guardian of her great-niece, Anna sold purses part-time to just barely pay the bills. "I knew I wanted something more for my life and career, but I just wasn't able to get my foot in the door," Anna shares. "That's when I saw Opportunity Junction's flyer at the Welfare office." The Job Training and Placement Program offered just what Anna was looking for: to regain some confidence and rebuild her skills. "When I started, I thought I had some computer skills—but I didn't. I thought I remembered more about English and Math—but I didn't. I had so many outside obstacles weighing me down. Natalie (Georgia, Manager of Personal Development) and Michelle (Stewart, Manager of Professional Development) connected me with resources that helped me get through those issues so I could complete the program."
Anna left Opportunity Junction with a part-time position, providing in-home care on the weekends. But she had her eye on a bigger prize. During her internship, Wells Fargo had advertised a position several times for which she knew she was qualified, but she never got the call for the interview. "Every time it was advertised, I applied, tweaking my resume and cover letter with each entry." Anna finally found the right combination, because a couple weeks after her internship ended, she got the job. She is now an Inbound Sales Specialist I with Wells Fargo in Antioch, her hometown. Anna is making $17.25 an hour working full-time with benefits, matching 401k program and tuition reimbursement. "Opportunity Junction helped with my motivation and self-confidence. All of the instructors are excellent and taught me not to let go of what I am capable of." We're Back and Inviting You to an Open House October 28
Again, thanks so much to the funders who made the renovation possible -- 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. Antioch Rotary sponsors Art for Opportunity
Join us Saturday, October 17 at 6 pm as the Antioch Rotary presents the Second Annual Art for Opportunity, an art show featuring renowned local artists, at the Antioch Historical Society, 1500 W. Fourth Street in Antioch. There will be a live auction, raffle and wine 
Wine and food pairings will be the creation of chef Rick Kaiser, a partner with Temen, Kaiser, & Cameron LLP, a firm of CPAs in Antioch. The firm was awarded the Antioch Chamber of Commerce's Business of the Year in 2006 and the Contra Costa Council Small Business of the Year in 2006 for its community involvement. Rick has cooked for events for the past 22 years. He plans to provide five different food and wine pairings, matching the qualities of the wines - Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Port – with the flavors of the foods, plus some suggested “crossover pairings.” Rick's team will be helping diners try some different combinations to get the most out of the experience.
Purchase your tickets online by clicking here. Thanks to the Antioch Rotary and participating artists for making this happen! 
Chevron to Sponsor Upgrade of Entire Technology InfrastructureChevron has increased its support of Opportunity Junction this year as our official 2009-10 Technology Sponsor, underwriting the cost of three key technology initiatives:
"These technology initiatives are key to our strategic direction for this year and beyond," states Alissa Friedman, Executive Director of Opportunity Junction. "We want to expand our impact, and Chevron is helping to make it possible." Friedman explains that while the new computers and additional computer lab may be the most noticeable improvement, that projects like the Salesforce.com data migration are also critical: "The more people we serve, the more robust our outcome data tracking and analysis need to be," she explains.Another Chevron grantee, San Pablo's Stride Center, has shared a Salesforce.com template they developed, which is serving as a starting point for this project, Friedman notes. "This is the kind of resource-sharing that comes out of a true commitment to advance the mission, not just the organization," she states. "We are grateful." Job Training & Placement Program Sees Record Numbers
Those who were not selected were referred to other community resources for training and placement, such as EASTBAY Works and non-profits the Stride Center and Rubicon Programs, as well as Adult Education, Regional Occupational Programs, Community College and more. 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:
We will soon be kicking off our sponsorship drive, and we want to thank SpringBoard Advisors for being the first to join Chevron as a sponsor of the event. The Sponsorship Invitation is available on our website. We are also 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. 
Green Curriculum, Green OfficeWith funding from the California Consumer Protection Foundation, consulting support from Gary Craft of the Craft Consulting Group, and guest trainers from PG&E, Opportunity Junction is introducing a Green Office curriculum to the members of Class 30. "We believe that this will be an essential office skill set," says Jesse Golden, Deputy Director. "Computers, communications, and cost-savings: we want our alumni to offer employers the complete package," she added, alliteratively. Meanwhile, Opportunity Junction is working on its own certification as a Green Business. Here's a great tip we discovered: you can get vouchers that subsidize the cost of low-flow toilets from the Contra Costa Water District. The actual greenery in the office isn't on the Green Business checklist, but a NASA study shows that office plants reduce indoor air pollution, so we're interested in that, too. A good summary of the study, including a list of the top 10 pollution-fighting plants, is at the Zone 10 website. Thank You to the Motivated Volunteers through Week of Caring
The Bay Area's annual Week of Caring, sponsored by the United Way with partners Chevron and the Volunteer Centers of the Bay Area, mobilizes thousands of volunteers to help Bay Area nonprofits. We submitted a project for building desks for our new computer lab, and were fortunate when a dynamic Chevron team picked our project. Maurice Von Sickle and his team of co-workers from Chevron Global Marketing Solutions worked hard on a hot day doing a dirty, Thanks so much to Mo, the Chevron crew - Andres, Bill, Chans, Christina, Cindy, Debbie, Evan, Idalia, Julie, Ken, Leia, Loren, Rob, Tom, and Tracey -- and the many other volunteers who have helped us during this busy time! 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 ProgramsAs we go to press, we are proud to announce funding partnerships with the following organizations:
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 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:
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:
The Opportunity Junction Alumni CouncilThe Alumni Council consists of alumni of our Job Training and Placement Program who advise on alumni services, program design, and organizational initiatives. 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, and Jesse Golden.
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Her issues included an ongoing medical problem and housing issues. "The home we were renting went into foreclosure. I also had two weeks without PG&E service because other renters weren't paying their bills. It was a struggle, but I am a stronger person for making it through. With everything that was going on, Opportunity Junction was the most positive thing in my life." 
Now that our office has been gutted and completely rebuilt, we've moved back in to our office at 3102 Delta Fair Boulevard. Come and see; it's really lovely. We'll show the office off at an Open House on Wednesday, October 28 at 5:30 p.m. – watch for your invitation to come by e-mail.
This renovation provides enough classroom and office space to increase our training capacity, so we're researching what additional program might best further our mission (to fight poverty by helping low-income Contra Costa adults gain the skills and confidence to support themselves and their families), and watching for funding opportunities. 
Original Pete Wilson oil paintings will be featured at the event. The late Pete Wilson, Bay Area news anchor and radio personality and the winner of five Emmys, was also a painter of local landscapes. His oil paintings, with glowing colors and local themes, were donated by his widow to benefit Opportunity Junction, and will be available for viewing and sale at the event, as will the work of other noted local artists.
A record 214 people attended information sessions in September to learn about the Opportunity Junction Job Training and Placement Program, with 129 going on to apply for 20 seats in Class 30. The combination of referrals from government and non-profit agencies, exposure through the local newspapers and libraries, and large numbers of people seeking training and placement, meant that we had many eager applicants, but also that we had to turn many people away.
sticky job (the desks got built, and as a bonus, the team painted ceiling tiles -- something that wasn't a part of our renovation project, but which made a big visual difference!). When the job ended up being bigger than expected, Mo rounded up family members and co-workers and came back the following Saturday to move the project along. Did we mention that Mo came a few days early to make sure our plan for desk-building would work on project day? 