The Riverside County Summer Stimulus Behind the scenes
Transcription
The Riverside County Summer Stimulus Behind the scenes
The Riverside County Summer Stimulus September 10, 2009 Volume 1, Issue 4 Inside this issue: Summer—izing It Up Behind The Scenes Behind the Scenes cont. Your Hired Sun Spot Wrap Up / Behind the scenes cont. You Got The Job! 1 1 2 3 4 4 Stimulating your mind, the youth and our economy Summer-izing It Up It is time to acknowledge that summer is winding down. The majority of schools have opened their doors once again to welcome the eager faces of our youth. The biggest question facing them all is usually, “ What did you do over the summer?” From teachers to peers, everyone wants to tell about their eventful summer vacation. Happily, the participants of the Summer Work Experience Program, (SWEP), will have by far some of the most interesting and motivating stories of all. The buzz around the campuses will be about the intriguing jobs and worksites the program offered, and the impartial, nondiscriminatory treatment each and every youth received from the compassionate providers who signed up to be a part of the SWEP. There shall be stories about how at the City of Riverside Youth Opportunity Center and the staff at Altura Credit Union, offered money management classes to the SWEP members. This was monumental for some who were earning their very first paycheck. There will be accounts from adolescents who had never seen the inside of a mu- seum and now can explain how to clean fossils! There are those who are not returning to school and have now embarked on a career path offered to them through the experience they gathered from their facilitators in the program. The stories that are most motivating are of the hundreds of youth who were hired permanently by the site they were placed at. For these participants, the outcome proves that the training and assessments that were put in place in the proposals from the keen providers were indeed done efficiently. These young adults obviously took their jobs seriously and understood the urgency to make a difference in their own lives and in turn made an impact on the environment around them. The interns created bonds with each other, as they all felt the importance of the work they were accomplishing. After all, they were contributing to helping our economy and local community. The reward they received from that “sum-mers” it up. Behind the scenes These Smiles represent HOPE. Above: Ryan Carr (17)Barr’s Furniture/Deanna Thompson(15), Melody Sibley(18)Temecula Community Center/Victoria Brown(18)City of Temecula Public Works Dept./Gina Munoz(20)Temecula Community Center/Altura Credit Union money management class/Giselle Martinot(18)Cornerstone Security/Bianca Torres(19)& Cody Kozycarz(19) City of Temecula Finance Dept./Taylor Stephen(19)Pennypickle’s Workshop/Stephanie Johnson, Hemet YOC/Lupe Villa, Rubidoux YOC The funds set aside by our Presidents’ stimulus plan reached places in Riverside County that many may have never even heard of. In Western Riverside in a town covering 38.8 square miles, hosting a population of merely 50,267 people, lies Lake Elsinore. This historic town contains the Planet Youth Opportunity Center, operated by the California Life Center. Another jewel that caters to imminent needs of the young people in the community. As participants in the SWEP, the Center was able to find jobs for 246 of the youth that walked through their doors. Even the younger, less experienced members were placed appropriately at the Alberhill Boys and Girls club in a an art workshop where they embarked on an amazing art project that opened their eyes to a world of possibilities. The group created a huge 6 foot dragon from wire and odds and Right: Planet Youth ends. Continued on pg. 2… Opportunity Center Pa ge 2 Behind the scenes cont… They dis- The Riverside County Summer Stimulus played their creation in an art exhibit held at the club. The team was so proud of the teamwork they shared, and learned valuable lessons about presenting themselves to the public. This is sure to assist them on job interviews and in future endeavors. Also at Planet Youth, a different SWEP team was at work dressing up the exterior of the center. The youth started by designing the layout of the new patio. The much needed renovation has everyone pleased, including the neighboring fire-station! The group is anxious for next summer to check on the tree they planted, to see if it has grown as much as they have during this experience. Approximately 174 SWEP participants have been offered permanent positions at the locations they served during the Program!! Congratulations are in order, ...We wish much success to you! Rubidoux YOC: Elizabeth Perez(18) & Jennifer Perez(16) & Isabel Leyva(18)(Dollar Tree)-Michelle Noe(19)& Joslyn Marquez(18)& Yurida Vasquez(17)& Chris Vasquez(18)(Smart and Final)-Jesus Mejia(22) & Julia Miranda(21)(Marshalls) Goodwill of Southern California: Ana Santana, (TJ Maxx) City of Temecula: Andrew Temple (18), Kory Alpichi (16), Keith Alpichi (18), and Nick Abraham (16) (Magical Adventure Balloon Rides)-Marissa Lay (22) (City Hall for City of Temecula)- Nick Martinot (22) and Bryce Callahan (22) (City Maintenance the City of Temecula)-Angelica Serrano (22)( Kennedy and Smith Inc)- Anthony Chin (17) (Little Caesar’s)Candice Luna (18) and Hannah Gross (18)(The YMCA)-Michael Crutchfield (18)and Kameron Eads (17)(Crown Books)-Gabriela Rodriguez (18)(Boys and Girls Club)-Daniel Aguilera (19 (Shakey’s Pizza)-Zach Sasscer (18) (Yogurt Point)-Gina Munoz (19) (Temecula Community Center). Pictured: Cornerstone Insurance Agency, Temecula City Hall, Rancho Community Church, Southwest YMCA, Imagination Workshop Museum, Temecula Public Library, , Larry Green Dealership (Blythe) Riverside Workforce Development Center, Woodcrest Library, Inland Empire Television Network RCOE: Joshua Wethers (Best buy)-Ashley Robinson (Styles for less)Carlie Stone (Deloneys’s 100 Mile Market)-Michael Vasquez (Best Buy)Alejandra Avalos (Anchor Blue)-Christopher Cooper (Nature Vet/The Gorman Group)-Malcom Fisher (Footlocker)-Andrew Lee (A New Tomorrow)-Maxine Hernandez (Kids Footlocker)-Juli Anna Lambert (Claires)-Jessica Lopez (Kids Footlocker)-Alfedo Marin Jr.(Petco)-Rebecca Acuna (Claires)-Alfanzo Corvera (Anchor Blue)-Kayley Baires (Walgreens) -Adriana Avila (CVS)-David Casarez (Anchor Blue)-Jamila Williams (Quiznos)-Cynthia Alvarez (Fantastic Sams)-Pearl Cathcaart (Fritts Ford)Juan Hidalgo & Eva Mendoza (Skip Fordyce, Inc)-Wendy Valdez (Jacobs Development)-Elizabeth Vega (Menifee Smiles)-Debra Belton (Jefferson Wellness Center)-Maritza Anaya (Dr. Powers Bros.)-Leiana Flores (Careside Dental)-Raquel Gaeta (Dr. Shetha)-Janet Galam (Gentle Dental)Jazmin Garcia (City Hall Riverside)-Kaitlin Gonzalez (Color me Mine)Rochelle Gorman (Riverwalk Dental Spa)-Ariel Locke (CVS)-Victoria Silcas (Dr.Sharma)-Andre Andrads & Beatriz Reyes (Dol lar Tree)-Alan Anglin (Khol’s)-Michael Hydock (Dollar Tree)-Michael Lopez & Erin Mathews & Carl Mendez & Eddie Flores & Patrice Street (Michael’s) Awesome Worksites! Family Service Association: Alejandra Bernardo, (Community Health Worker- Mead Valley Community Center)-Rick Flores (Janitor- Administration) Damian Gonzalez (Office Assistant-Highgrove Community Center) The city of Lake Elsinore is sure to be looking forward to the SWEP returning since the community benefited significantly from the service at places such as the Animal Friends of the Valley, Storm Stadium, Nike Town, KFC, Sports Chalet, Trevi Entertainment Center, Cont. on pg. 3 Dollar Tree; and so many more. Left: Planet Youth beautifying project: At Right:: Trenita Whestone(15) Cedric Da-Silva(14) Aaron Ward(14) Anthony Urrutia(15) Arthur Terty (15), Rafael Jimenez (14), Josh Chavez (15), Jimmy Muratalla (17) with the Dragon (Art workshop) Planet Youth Yoc: Chrystal Brown (Lake Elsinore Library)-Ryan Haines & Robert Jones & Michael Monsoor (Sports Chalet)-Jerika Hara & Aaron Sanchez( Marshalls)- Anastasia Ortega (Dollar Tree)-Mocerrat Ruiz & Nicole Monroe (Doggie Styles)-Haley Woodburrry & Aramis Sanchez & Christian Sandoval (Trevi Entertainment Center)-Alejandro Cuara ( NIKE)-Jenaro Stultz ( KFC)-Jude Smith (Rocky Mountain)-Tiffany Sanderson (M.A.R.S. EDA)-Brint Dederich (Interstate Fire)-Marcello Da Silva (City of Canyon Lake) Escuela De La Raza Unida: Vicente Nunez (EOPS at the Palo Verde College)-Maricella Godinez (Larry Green Chevrelet)-Eric Grijalva and Freddie Cardenas (Dollar Tree) Continued on page 4... Our apologies in advance if there are any SWEP participants that may have been overlooked. Good luck to you all! Pa ge 3 Behind the scenes cont…. The Riverside County Summer Stimulus The Arbor Win Youth Center in Indio is well-known for helping young adults find a responsible place in society. This summer as they teamed with the SWEP they were empowered to find jobs for 254 participants. The youth who benefitted from the program are so eager to move forward with their new skills, the community is in for a treat with all of these confident youngsters. Sun Spot Above: Various SWEP youth at Dollartree is Rich in youth work. The Dollartree in the City of Riverside certainly found a Scott Drexler(22) Jr. diamond in the rough when they received Jennifer Perez (19). Journalist, pictured Jennifer was just one of the hundreds of youth from the SWEP below, Spotlights that were hired on to a permanent position and she couldn’t be Jennifer Perez and happier. Although Jennifer has many interests, she is enjoying her new employworking in retail. Especially since Dollartree is offering Jennifer a ment success. chance at a future. With the money Jennifer earns from working she is going to be able to pay for school and training so she can pursue her true passion for massage therapy and get certified in auto-collision and re-finishing. Not only is the position at the Dollartree assisting Jennifer financially, but it is also serving her on a more personal level. When asked what the most rewarding part about her job was Jennifer responded, “The reward is getting compliments for the good job that I have done. They [Dollartree] take Pictured below: Jennitheir time to help me learn new things and are patient with me. fer Perez(19) Dollar She also commented about the SWEP, “It’s good. It helped me Tree employee out a-lot.” The experience helps you to not be nervous or shy. I am hoping to get my brother to join the program.” Pictured:“Free Interns” Freeway billboard/Bobby Bonds Community Center/ Western Center Fossil/Temecula Comm. Center/Planet Youth Center/Hemet Youth CenThis young adult is no push-over either. She is deterter/Baskin Robins/Christina Bugarin mined to pull her weight at home. Jennifer has grown up around Perris WIC Center/Mt View Comm. cars and mechanics due to her father and her brother always workChurch ing on vehicles. She is determined to prove to the family that girls Community involvement can do auto body work too. The only question that really remains is not “if”, but “when” this balanced young lady will meet her provide HOPE for our goals. Most of the youth who joined SWEP were content to make some extra cash for the summer and came out with an experience Youth. that will last a lifetime. If we can take anyThe SWEP prothing from this rewarding experience, it viders who embarked on this task of revitalizing the should definitely be HOPE! summer work experience program were not new at this sort of undertaking; Accordingly Goodwill of Southern California was very successful in their effort and enrolled approximately 65 youth into the SWEP! They placed them at such sites as Institute for Sales & Service Excellence, TJ Maxx, Goodwill Retail Thrift Stores, Palm Springs Volvo, Bridges of Hope, American Cancer Society, Palm Desert Library, and Animal Samaritans. Our County appreciates their wholehearted involvement. Cont. on pg.4 By Scott Drexler At right: DollarTree(Riverside) The Riverside County Summer Stimulus Pa ge 4 Behind the Scenes Cont... You don’t have to be in the desert to encounter an Oasis. In Perris, the Oasis Youth Opportunity Center, operated by Arbor Education and Training, was sure to get involved in the SWEP. They are always making ways to contribute to the community. Along with the public, their own center was able to benefit as they accepted affiliates, Donald Kelly(15), Shavion Davis(16), Adam Marmolejo(15) and their supervisor Chris Hernandez(23) to assist in necessary maintenance around the center. Right next door the Women, Infants and Children center, (WIC) was thrilled to employ Christina Bugarin(15) Having her there to help brought them control when the rush of customers came in. The Oasis center boasts of being able to enroll and assist 312 passionate workers. Every one of them eager to work and make a dent in the County’s employment crisis. For the young adults in the neighborhoods of Perris, the scenery can look bleak, but with the Oasis in view they are sure to see a brighter future ahead, especially now that they have been involved first hand and have seen what our County has planned to give us all HOPE. Oasis Opportunity Center What would you do if 2,695 young adults emerged in your presence all of whom are looking for guidance, instruction, life skills and a hopeful outlook to encourage them in their weakened state in life? This was the scene this summer in Riverside County, and needless to say, our County stepped up to the challenge. Certainly the funds from the stimulus plan were instrumental in helping these youth, but it was also the drive these youngsters encompassed to change their positions in society that kept them engaged. It was also the dedication of the providers to teach them the importance of giving back to our economy by being a positive part of it. We thank all of the participants, and a special thanks to our President for keeping our County on the map. HOPE to see you all again next year!! Truly, Tania Kaigler– Editor/ [email protected] Riverside County Economic Development Left: Jr Journalist,, Jessica Marquez(17) Supervisor/editor, Tania Kaigler Agency/Workforce Development Participants looking forward to SWEP 2010!!! Congratulations to these SWEP youth. Riverside Community College: Adrian Catalan(20)Office Assistant/Ashlee DeCarmo(20) Receptionist/April Getten(24) Student Ambassador/Danielle Goode(19)Food Service Worker/ Kylie Knox(18)Receptionist/Barbara Mathews(23)Student Ambassador/Abigail Metcalfe(18) Instructional Aide/Joanne Panoke(19)Tutor/Broke Whitlock(18)Receptionist/Brittany Taylor(20) Office Assistant/Elizabeth Posada(19)Circulation Assistant/Clenesha Rider(24)Food Service Worker/Timothy Chin(20)Food Service Assistant/Anabel Martinez(19)Instructional Assistant/ Maggie Martinez(19)Instructional Aide 2/Michael Garaysi(19)Assessment Clerk/Jessica Walters (19)OfficeClerk Above: Katlyn Thomas (22), Adam Drexler (19), Jose Valdez (18), I.E Network/Sung Koo(18)Temecula Community Center/Hemet YOC/Phu Au, Project Coordinator Temecula/SWEP youth at Riverside Community Center/SWEP Youth at Hemet YOC/ Alfonso Campos/EDA, Lindsey Thayer, Yecenia Cervantes, Temecula Boys and Girls Club/SWEP youth at Job training at Corona High School Left:: SWEP Youth The Arbor Win YOC: Melina Carirllo (CV Insurance)- Edwin Cisneros (Angel View)- Katherine Guinea (Tarbell Realtors)-Janet Hernandez & Jose Hernandez & Tianna Zamora & Mirtha Galvan & Francisco Rodriguez (Marshall's)-Monica Meza & Jazmine Mikulak & Jonathan Rodriguez (Cathedral City Boys and Girls Club)- Ronnette Moore (Hot Topic)-Carlos Munoz (Riverside County EDA)-Jonathan Olloqui (Oasis Peer Support)- Blanca Morales (Wonder Cuts) Empire Youth Yoc: Chelsy Dowding, Allyson Verth, Jessica Leon, Inez Chavez, Desiree Zaragoza, Angela Cervantes, Marcos Rodriguez, Janet Ochoa, Joshua McNamara, Carrie Rule man, Sean Bliss, Darci Swain, Kevin Ceron, Tashay Ardoin, Stephanie Quinlan, Cole Keener, Jose Mata, Fernando Sanchez, Jessica Zengri, Elizabeth Pena, David Barkan, Marina Weiss, Emily Martin, Ehiden Borbon, Javier Soto, Abraham Alcantar, Cassandra Ritchie, Martin Alcantar, Alyssa Dean, Laura Enllanche, Abel Gamez, Tamid Gradford, Daniel Granger, Jessica Ketcham, Briana Luciano, Vanessa Nieto, Eric Palomares, Anthony Ramil, Elizabeth Ventura, Lakesha Hunt Oasis YOC: Ashley Bolt/Quiznos-Jordan Bryant/Payless Shoes Source-Beatrice Banda/Rancho Medical Clinic-Devon Spurgen/EZGO Insurance-Felisha West/Juice it Up!-Janette Vargas/ Nuview School District-Francisco Villa/AES Auto Smog Check-Nick Aranda/Mt. San Jacinto College