JobTrain Alumna Brittany Philpart Becomes Health Educator

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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!”