On June 25th, 12 graduates of the Administrative Careers Training Program celebrated their completion of the program in a Zoom graduation ceremony.
Seventy-nine people, including the graduates,
family, friends, community members, Opportunity Junction staff, current trainees, and alumni, attended Opportunity Junction's first ever online graduation.
Class 61 graduates overcame incredible obstacles, switching from in-person training to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Keynote speaker Keith Archuleta,
Executive Director of the Antioch Community Foundation, urged the graduates to use the COVID-19 pandemic as a motivator and opportunity instead of an obstacle.
He invoked the words of former First Lady Michelle Obama, "You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage.
Instead, it's important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages."
And Class 61 graduates are proving their ability to overcome adversity: 3 of the 12 graduates already have job offers! In fact, for the first time ever, two Opportunity Junction employer partners, Loaves and Fishes and People Who Care, attended the graduation ceremony to celebrate their new employees.
The Administrative Careers Training Program prepares motivated East Contra Costa workers for professional administrative roles, including administrative assistant, officer manager, and customer service representative. Trainees complete 12 weeks of coursework leading to Microsoft Office Specialist certifications.
Please join Opportunity Junction in congratulating Class 61 graduates: Karla Aguilera, Adriana Campos, Emerita Castillo, Miranda Coleman, Madison Cruz, Joanna Mezquita, Emily Noble, Vickie Ore, Jay Sausa, Damarriea Thompson, Marlene Tovar and Colin Wainwright!
