JobTrain

JobTrain "Likes" Facebook

2012-01-31T23:47:00.000-08:00

On January 31, 2012, a small army of JobTrain students and staff attended the Menlo Park City Council meeting in support of Facebook.

JobTrain was the FIRST non-profit to receive support from Facebook back in 2011. The partnership has been a powerful resource for JobTrain students and residents of Menlo Park.

Stay tuned for exciting posts about our new and exciting plans with Facebook!

Stanford University's Basketball Coach Becomes ATHENA Goddess

2011-11-30T12:26:00.000-08:00

Cardinal Women's Basketball Coach & JobTrain Board Member Tara VanDerveer, Receives Prestigious ATHENA Award!

On November 16, 2011, Stanford University women’s basketball coach and PROUD member of JobTrain’s Board of Directors, Tara VanDerveer – was honored by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce with the prestigious ATHENA award.

Each year, the body receives hundreds of recommendations and nominations for exemplary professional women that personify excellence in their professional and personal lives. Perhaps the hallmark of the ATHENA award is selecting a woman that achieves remarkable success in her own right and creates opportunities and trail blazes on behalf of other women to follow.

JobTrain’s Executive Director and 2001 ATHENA winner Sharon Williams, presented VanDerveer with the coveted award. Williams praised VanDerveer for her brilliant career on the court, her recent induction to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and for serving as a role model for many young women across the world, especially those at JobTrain.

VanDerveer accepted the award from Williams and humbly said, “I’ve been called a lot of things. But, I have to say, a goddess has never been one of them.” She further added that Athena was her favorite Greek mythological character.

VanDerveer credited her mother (not in attendance) for instilling the core values and humility that keeps her grounded today. According to VanDerveer, her mother once told her, “Tearing others down – doesn’t make you any better.” Words to live by indeed.

After the standing ovation and applause, VanDerveer was presented with a proclamation from Palo Alto Mayor Sid Espinosa along with his praise for being the instrument of change and inspiration for the community.

Despite her demanding schedule and need to return to hear team, VanDerveer graciously signed autographs and posed for pictures with her fans.

JobTrain: 2011 Recipient of Bank of America's NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDER AWARD!

2011-11-30T11:34:00.000-08:00

Bank of America Honors JobTrain with the 2011 NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDER AWARD

Bank of America honored the recipients of this year's Neighborhood Excellence Initiative grants at a ceremony on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View.

San Mateo County-based JobTrain and Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties each received $200,000 unrestricted grants and leadership training. Bank of America also recognized five "Local Heroes" for their community service work with $5,000 donations toward the nonprofit of their choice. The recipients and their charities were Charles Aronstam, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford; Chad Bojorquez, InnVision Georgia Travis Multi-Service Day Center; Christine Case, Expanding Your Horizons event at Skyline College; Lauri Steel, Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley, and Jeffery Trout, TriSoldier Project.

JobTrain Executive Director Sharon Williams accepted the award and is pictured here with Project Build student RAFAEL MORALES and Culinary Arts representative COSTANDINOS SIOTOS (Dino).

Click HERE to watch Dino's video and see how JobTrain is helping to transform his life.

In His Footsteps: Remembering the Legacy of OICW Founder Leon Sullivan

2011-10-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

Teacher Knows Best: Randale Conner Receives LEON SULLIVAN Legacy Award

(Nomination Received)

Dear Selection Committee:

Math is an integral part of Project Build. As Chuck Bragg, the Project Build instructor likes to say, if you can’t do the math, you can’t survive in construction.

The first time I met this particular student was in the math class I teach to every incoming Project Build class. Some students figure they already know the math, some never want to know it, and some are determined to learn every- thing they can about it because they sense its role in their future. My nominee falls into the last group.

This student came into Project Build after some bad decisions that afforded him free housing as a guest of the county. Whether he didn’t like the food or the atmosphere, he was determined not to make that mistake again. He absorbed everything that Chuck and I had to offer him in the class.

After graduation from Project Build, he went into the Laborers’ Union. He did his initial apprenticeship training in San Ramon where one of the first classes the apprentices have is math. One evening, as I was standing by the front desk, in walked this student with a full-face grin. When I asked him what he was grinning about, he whipped out a decimal/fraction conversion card from his pocket. “We had a math test today. Remember the fraction/decimal conversions you taught us? Ishmael and I didn’t even need to refer to this. We shined!” I received the first of many hugs from this student.

He went on to distinguish himself in his apprenticeship training and was assigned to the SFPUC Hetch-Hetchy Project. His main job, among others, was to coat the weld seams of the pipe, both interior and exterior, with cement. This wasn’t just a task for him. he could explain WHY this was necessary and how the whole project fit together. He listened, he fit the bits and pieces of information together, he understood, and he was determined to do an excellent job because he understood how important this project is to the well-being of this and surrounding communities. He threw his whole heart into his work.

One night as I drove south on El Camino through Redwood City, I encountered the crew as they were in the process of crossing El Camino with the pipe line. This student was there directing the traffic around the detour. Two weeks later I encountered him again on Middlefield as they were running the pipe under that road. Again, his courtesy and clear involvement in the task grabbed my attention.

Several months later he was across the street helping to bury pipe under our parking lot. Whenever he had a chance, he would drop by to update us on the progress of the project and his own progress. His willingness to give it everything he had was paying off. Not only had he had steady well-paying work for over a year with more to come, he also proudly informed me that his superiors were so happy with him that they were going to cut his apprenticeship short a year and promote him to journeyman and make him a foreman. That’s the kind of progress we want to see in a JobTrain grad!

His determination to turn his life around, his full commitment to doing everything he could to be the best at what he was doing, his willingness to put his whole self into what he was doing has paid off. He has not only actualized the hopes that Chuck and I had for him, but he has validated the hope that Leon Sullivan had when he founded OIC. This JobTrain grad is day by day proving that opportunity, when accepted, can indeed change lives. It is my distinct pleasure to recommend Randale Conner for the 2011 Leon Sullivan Award.

Sincerely,

Karen M. Lundberg

Lead instructor, ASE/GED Instructor

JobTrain's Sneak Preview of the NEW Facebook Campus!

2011-10-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

Seeing is Believing: Facebook is AWESOME!

JobTrain staff had a MAGNIFICENT time at Facebook’s Sneak Preview event on October 13, 2011.

Dave Ebersman, Facebook CFO delivered a wonderful welcome address to the attendees. Menlo Park Mayor Rich Cline, was particularly proud to welcome Facebook to the community.

“This match is wonderful. For us as a community, I want you to start thinking BIG and broad about what this partnership means. What are the opportunities? This is a unique chance for the ultimate public and private partnership. Very rarely do you get to be around and part of the ‘change agent.’ And this is the ultimate ‘change agent’ for the city and particularly in the Belle Haven community.”

The event was perfectly organized and Facebook definitely showed their support of community and made each and every guest feel part of their family.

The Facebook chefs are brilliant and the food they prepared was quite literally, “out-of-this-world.” Special thanks to the event organizers and to Glenda Heidsick, Facebook’s Global Project Coordinator for the awesome tour of the extraordinary campus!

JobTrain Staff Enjoy Fleet Week Thanks to UNITED AIRLINES

2011-10-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

San Francisco Fleet Week 2011

Our generous partners at UNITED AIRLINES, invited JobTrain staff and their families to attend Fleet Week in San Francisco on Sunday, October 9, 2011.

JobTrain staff had a WONDERFUL time watching the air show and enjoyed the amazing amenities provided as guests of UNITED’S Corporate Chalet.

The event was made especially memorable as we witnessed Assemblywoman Fiona Ma declare October 9^th UNITED AIRLINES Day in San Francisco. We had front row seats for the proclamation ceremony too!

We wish to extend special appreciation to our friends at UNITED:

Maureen McLellan

Melinda Yee Franklin

Nicole Lee-Kline

Living the American Dream: Juan's Story

2011-10-12T12:22:00.002-07:00

How 3 Letters Led to Success

JUAN VAZZQUEZ earned his GED at JobTrain and his world of employment opportunities opened.

Without a high school diploma, Vazzquez faced years of rejection and limited prospects. He wanted to change his life and advance his education. Discovering JobTrain was a blessing and an opportunity to start a new life!

Vazzquez studied vigorously with Karen Lundberg, JobTrain’s GED instructor. After spending (6) hours in the classroom, he’d study an additional (4) hours at home. This time around, Vazzquez had a clear goal in mind and would allow nothing to stand in his way, impede his progress or obstruct his vision for achieving the American Dream.

Long weeks of dedication, sacrifice and focus became Vazzquez’s way of life. “I’ve never seen such perseverance with someone trying to earn their GED. I am very impressed and proud of him,” Karen said.

Now, Vazzquez has the promising future he’s long dreamt of. He was just hired as a cook at ALTA BATES SUMMIT MEDICAL CENTER and will earn $27.00 per hour. “I could not have done this without JobTrain and all of Karen’s support,” Juan humbly conveyed.

JobTrain Alumna Brittany Philpart Becomes Health Educator

2011-10-04T15:47:00.000-07:00

JOBTRAIN M.O.A. GRADUATE BECOMES STUDENT HEALTH EDUCATOR

Brittany Philpart, graduated from the Medical Office Assistant program at JobTrain in 2008.

After becoming a JobTrain graduate, Brittany was inspired to advance her education and began matriculating at Foothill College in Los Altos, Ca.

While pursuing her coursework, Brittany was hired at CVS and worked as a typist for their pharmacy department until August 2011.

TODAY, October 4, 2011, Brittany returned to JobTrain to share some amazing news. She was just hired to work as a Student Health Educator. Brittany is on an upward trajectory towards accomplishing her goals and becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

Brittany will graduate with an Associate of Science degree in Education from Foothill College in 2012.

Alumnus Profile of Success: Randale Conner

2011-10-03T16:22:00.000-07:00

Why JobTrain Matters to Me: Randale's Story

Before discovering JobTrain, RANDALE CONNER lived a regretful existence involving drugs, criminal behavior and even incarceration. However, when Randale came to JobTrain his life was completely TRANSFORMED!

Randale pursued a course of study in construction and graduated with high marks from JobTrain’s Project Build program in June 2010. In addition to the quality and free vocational training he received, Randale accredits JobTrain for giving his life both purpose and meaning and for “equipping him with the tools for creating a successful life.”

Now, Randale Conner is an apprentice laborer at MOUNTAIN CASCADE and is extensively involved in the Hetch Hetchy Project. This massive undertaking involves upgrading and purifying the drinking water in Northern California by spring 2012.

To learn more about Randale's story, please click HERE to watch the YouTube video. And if you're interested in becoming part of the JobTrain family, wish to schedule a personal tour or subscribe to our newsletter, please contact Kail Lubarsky, Director of Marketing & PR at klubarsky@jobtrainworks.org

Unsung Community Heroes

2011-09-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

LOCAL COMMUNITY PROVIDES SOLUTIONS FOR LIFE’S TOUGH DECISIONS

Food or Rent? With unemployment at 8.7% in San Mateo County, many residents cannot afford both.

JobTrain’s partnership with fellow nonprofit Bread of Life East Palo Alto (BOLEPA) has been the saving grace since May 2011. Every Thursday afternoon, BOLEPA distributes fresh, nutritious and FREE groceries at JobTrain.

According to Harriett Wycoff, Executive Director at BOLEPA, "This is what OUR community is all about - taking care of and feeding our residents."

For Antonio Guevara, the weekly food distribution event is really about community. Amongst the crowd, his smiling face and grateful ebullience never go unnoticed. Every week Antonio expresses his enthusiasm for the wide array of produce and food available. Whether it's organic artichokes, fresh corn on the cob or grass-fed beef donated from Trader Joe’s; Antonio is eager to convey his appreciation and share his recipes for the bountiful provisions.

In addition to learning about his recipe for artichokes, I discovered Antonio is actually a local hero. Each week he carefully packages groceries for his neighbors in need and delivers them to San Francisco.

Always returning after everyone has had the opportunity to fill their bags, Antonio collects the surplus. He's concerned about his elderly neighbors. Some are infirm, others are unemployed or simply on a fixed income. Antonio does what he can to make a positive impact in their lives.

People from all walks of life are affected by hunger these days. Students, working families, single parents, senior citizens – they’re all in need – and all receive support every Thursday afternoon at JobTrain.

Tara VanDerveer & Richard Hanley join JobTrain's Board of Directors

2011-09-23T18:42:00.000-07:00

Silicon Valley Leaders Take Pride in Supporting JobTrain

Tara VanDerveer and Richard Hanley have joined JobTrain’s Board of Directors. JobTrain is the premier vocational training and job placement program located on the Menlo Park/East Palo Alto border that helps nearly 7,000 clients annually.

Tara VanDerveer is the award winning Stanford University women’s basketball coach who was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in April 2011.

VanDerveer has coached at Stanford for 26 years and is legendary in both collegiate and international women’s basketball. She is one of the most well-respected and dynamic coaches in the country.

Richard Hanley is the Principal-in-Charge of KPMG’s Bay Area and Pacific Northwest Advisory Practices. Hanley has been with KPMG for more than twenty years and advises clients on domestic and cross border acquisitions and sales. Hanley has led assignments in the U.S., Asia and Europe and internal due diligence assignments for KPMG.

These board assignments reflect JobTrain's commitment to finding the very best of Silicon Valley to represent and lead the organization.

THE SWEET TASTE OF SUCCESS

2011-09-20T13:07:00.002-07:00

REDWOOD CREEK GRILL HIRES JOBTRAIN'S "FANTASTIC FIVE"

At JobTrain, our bell ringing ceremonies are ALWAYS a spectacular occasion. It’s a time of celebration and pride knowing that one of our students has found a job. When someone rings the bell, ALL students and staff gather in the Bill Walsh Lobby at JobTrain and collectively show their support for the new hire.

On September 16, 2011, enthusiasm could not be contained as 5 CULINARY ARTS students rang the bell. Affectionately regarded as the “Fantastic Five” John Akopyan, D’Shawn Barnes, Hugo Contreras, Dino Siotos and Eduardo Soto, were ALL hired to work at REDWOOD CREEK GRILL located in Redwood City, CA.

Chef Suzi of Redwood Creek Grill (featured in the photo above), attended the ceremony and beamed with joy watching her new hires enjoy the congratulatory remarks and accolades from their JobTrain family and peers.

Lieutenant John Munsey, Deputy Bob Madigan and Program Services Manager Debra Keller were our special guests from the San Mateo Sheriff’s Office.

2011-09-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

Hewlett-Packard Sparks Hope & Creates Confidence for JobTrain Students

Hewlett-Packard the multinational information technology corporation and one of the world’s largest IT companies in the world – is equally dedicated to building successful community relationships. In fact in 1994, founding partner David Packard gifted $1M towards the purchase of JobTrain’s current building.

Nearly two decades later, HP is still investing time, energy and resources to helping Silicon Valley residents improve their lives through programs and services offered at JobTrain.

On July 15, 2011, Hewlett-Packard hosted job readiness workshops exclusively for JobTrain. Students gained practical skills in financial workshops and learned both how to open a checking account and create a budget. During the one-on-one sessions with their HP mentors, students benefitted from simulated job interviews and received expert advice on improving their resumes. And just when students thought their day couldn't get any better – Hewlett Packard surprised them all with raffling signature laptops, tablets and gift cards for JobTrain.

The sense of excitement and appreciation was evident by the smiles on everyone’s face – HP mentors and JobTrain students alike.

“Working with JobTrain provides the students with the confidence and tools to help them succeed in this competitive job market and also providesour HP colleagues with the emotional satisfaction of giving back to our communities and taking pride in the success of others.” - Liza Sichon, VP HR Transformation, Communications & Operations at HP.

Profile of Success: JobTrain Class of 2011

2011-06-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

On June 15, 2011, more than 500 guests filled the auditorium at the Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center to show their support for the 102 graduates comprising JobTrain's class of 2011.

Wendell Carpenter CST graduate, delivered the student keynote address. Carpenter was recognized for his stellar academic performance and for utilizing available resources to overcome extreme and extenuating hardship.

Silence was palpable when Carpenter credited JobTrain and its partnership with Single Stop USA, for transforming his life from hopeless to hopeful. Carpenter wholeheartedly thanked the non-profits for compassionately guiding him through the most difficult time of his life.

According to Carpenter: “Before discovering JobTrain, my morning started with a call from a creditor. Sadly enough, it ended the same way. After being laid-off in July 2010, I lost my insurance benefits and couldn’t afford my wife’s medical bills or her required Cancer treatment. We were overwhelmed and for the first time in my life - I was scared. When my back was against the wall – thankfully, I found JobTrain and everything changed.”

Single Stop USA renegotiated the terms of Carpenter’s debt and played an instrumental role in his new lease on life.

After learning new marketable skills, benefitting from financial management services and graduating from JobTrain, Wendell Carpenter concluded his speech with: “I am better equipped and ready to handle the world again. I have gained confidence and feel like a breath of fresh air. I am ready to go to work now. I know I can do it!”

Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce Honors JobTrain

2010-09-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

The 38^th annual Golden Acorn Awards presented by the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce, honored JobTrain with its annual award on September 23, 2010.

JobTrain won the coveted nonprofit award for its impactful contribution in the lives of Bay Area residents. In 2009 alone, nearly 7,000 individuals received assistance with vocational training and job placement services at JobTrain.

Other honorees were:

John Arrillaga – Community Service

Music@Menlo – Cultural Innovator

The Rotary Club of Menlo Park Foundation – Education

Tarlton Properties, Inc. – Business Excellence

Planting the Seeds for a Healthier Tomorrow: Local Businessman Grows Hope for Nonprofit Preschool

2010-09-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

We all want to eat healthy. Yes, organic is the way to go. However, it seems more affordable and easier to head for a drive-thru restaurant. With the wide array of supersized options, we risk getting more than what we bargained for. Weight gain, increased blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease – are all linked to poor nutrition. The strenuous economy combined with our fast-paced culture – makes healthy choices feel unattainable.

Local businessman John Gachina, launched an “Awareness Campaign” advocating health and disease prevention for the 275 employees at Gachina Landscape Management. “I want them to know they must make time to eat right for themselves and make healthy choices for their families. We can’t allow our kids to think food comes from McDonalds.”

However, John didn’t stop there. Today, he brought the campaign to JobTrain. For more than 15 years, Gachina Landscape Management has provided free landscape services for the nonprofit. Yet, Gachina felt compelled to do more.

Ever since collaborating during Earth Day 2009, Gachina and JobTrain employee Kail Lubarsky shared the dream of creating a vegetable garden for the preschool.

Although it didn’t take a village to install the 3x20 garden vegetable box, community alliance made it possible. Girvin Peters (Girvin Peters Landscape) built the beautiful wooden box, Terry Lyngso (Lyngso Garden Materials) donated the 100% organic soil known as “veggie mix”, and Gachina Landscape Management donated the labor and gardening supplies. Approximately $1,000 went towards the special undertaking. But, for Gachina the experience was priceless. “These kids will not only grow vegetables – but self esteem.“

According to Liceria Ernst, JobTrain Preschool Instructor, “This will be exciting for the kids and educational for their parents too. This project will prove eating healthy is an easy and affordable option for everyone.”

In only minutes, the children planted carrots, onions, peppers, collard greens, sweet peas, lettuce and parsley. There’s no doubt they’ll enjoy their harvest. But will it end there? The preschool kids are becoming ambassadors of good health at JobTrain. Their vegetables will be used in meals prepared by the Culinary Arts program, which in turn will reach countless local and surrounding communities.

Savoring the Taste of Success – JobTrain Provides Key Ingredients for Life!

2010-08-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

You’ve never seen an Iron Chef competition like the one that took place at the San Mateo Women’s Correctional Center on August 17, 2010.

Inmates partnered with county officials and JobTrain in teams of four – in a unique cook-off. District Attorney Jim Fox, Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson, Sheriff’s Captain John Quinlan and Deputy Chief Probation Officer Ken Pesso – exchanged their law enforcement duties to collaborate with people turning their lives around through Culinary Arts.

Chef Elihu Kittell of the jail, was the mastermind behind this activity. However, it’s been in the forefront of his thoughts since 2006 when he launched the cooking program. Kittell felt a sense of urgency to “give back to the community” and recognized the need for a program that would not only provide recreational activities for the incarcerated – but, marketable skills that would sustain them upon their release.

Four years later, he partnered with JobTrain and longtime friend Chef Adam Weiner. Together they instituted a curriculum wherein JobTrain teaches Culinary Arts once a week to the inmates. According to Lieutenant Lisa Williams, “It’s been a fantastic partnership that transitions inmates into employable women - equipped with real training so they can get back on their feet.”

Jenelle DeLugg was in custody when she met Chef Weiner. Her exemplary behavior qualified her for the jails’ work furlough program. She’s made remarkable strides in her life which she solely contributes to the jail staff and JobTrain. “They really believe in us – you can be more than just a criminal in their eyes.” DeLugg was released on August 4^th, resides in South San Francisco and is enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program at JobTrain. Her dream is to open a restaurant in Palo Alto with fellow classmates.

Jail is a place of last resort. However the programs it offers and even participation in the cook-off – establishes a new beginning. According to Sheriff Greg Munks, “The goal of the cook-off is to showcase that we have a number of people in our custody. They're our neighbors, and for whatever reason they’ve ended up in jail. Our way of incarceration is now being fused with opportunities and job training. Jobs give people a sense of self-worth and makes them part of the social and economic fabric of community. The cook-off demonstrates that we’re all in this together.”

Four teams consisting of two inmates, one JobTrain student and a law enforcement official, all came together and prepared jambalaya, salmon, black pepper biscuits – and an array of fruit and vegetable salads – and a killer pecan pie.

In the end, Sheriff Greg Munks, Assistant Sheriff Trisha Sanchez, Judge Steve Hall and Supervisor Adrienne Tissier, were tasked with selecting the winner.

It came to no surprise for Sheriff’s Captain John Quinlan that his team, “The Fantastic Four” won. However fellow teammates Amilia Otis and Laura Engman – were literally shocked to tears. Otis, mother of 6, looks forward to attending JobTrain upon release. “I’ve learned my lesson and will never return to jail. Thankfully this program has given me what I always needed – a true sense of purpose.”

Polyvore Visits JobTrain!

2010-08-13T23:35:00.001-07:00

In addition to being CEO of Polyvore, the leading community site for online style, Sukhinder Singh Cassidy is a JobTrain board member.

Today she brought 21 Polyvore colleagues to JobTrain for a team-building exercise in collaboration with the Culinary Arts program.

The Polyvore crew was divided into 5 teams and worked with a senior JobTrain student to prepare the following menu:

Soup or salad of team’s choosing

Appetizer

Vegetarian entrée of team’s choosing

Salmon with corn and Fingerling potatoes (official recipe from Chef Jeff Henderson of the Food Network)

Pecan pie or bread pudding

The creative crew from Polyvore identified their teams as: “Red Hot Chili Peppers,” “Skinny Jeans High Waist Pants,” “Karl Lagerfood,” “10-13” and “Harold & Kumar Go to JobTrain.”

Instructor Chef Adam Weiner, encouraged the teams to be creative, have fun and to trust the team-building process. With laughter and smiles abound, there’s no doubt everyone had a great time.

According to Jen Yuille, Polvore’s Head of Marketing & Communications, “JobTrain is amazing. It’s a very empowering place that has created a great opportunity for team-building.”

After two hours of cooking, the teams were judged by invited guests from the W Silicon Valley and the American Culinary Federation.

Despite the delectable entrees plated to perfection by all the teams – “Karl Lagerfood” won the competition. However, all the participants were winners in their team-building exercise.

Jose Rojas - JobTrain Success Story

2010-08-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

Jose Rojas represents the "spirit" of JobTrain.

After graduating from their Culinary Arts program in April 2009, he began working at Woodside Terrace as a dishwasher. His professionalism and strong work ethic led to promotion as Assistant Chef - in just one year.

Today, Jose Rojas returned to JobTrain with a major announcement. He's relocating to Mexico and pursuing his dream of opening a specialty dessert restaurant! He credits Chef Adam Weiner for always encouraging him to fulfill his potential and honor his dreams.

In addition to sharing the great news, Jose also came to JobTrain to find his replacement at Woodside Terrace and to advise of (2) other employment opportunities. He said, "JobTrain has been so good to me. It's really the best place to discover your dreams. I want to return what JobTrain has done for me and help current students with job placement."

We all wish Jose the very best!

Breakfast of Champions

2010-04-19T10:22:00.000-07:00

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS XXVI

If you've already reserved your spot at our upcoming Breakfast of Champions or committed to a sponsorship, thank you.

If you haven't yet signed up, there's still time and space available to register as a 2010 Proud Breakfast Sponsor. Simply visit our website at www.jobtrainworks.org today.

"When I think of JobTrain, I think of hope. Providing hope for those who feel they can't do it anymore. Hope for those who feel they're lost and just can't get back in the race. Hope for those who feel that they're not good enough. All of those things make you lost hope. But, JobTrain, you pick them up, dust them off and put them back in the ring and say 'let's go.'"

-Mike Singletary, Head Coach San Francisco 49ers
Excerpt from his 2009 Breakfast of Champions Keynote Speech