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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Hewlett Packard Gives Back to Community: JobTrain Project Build Students Benefit from Job Readiness Workshop

On April 25, 2013, Hewlett Packard employees led by Teri Eyre SVP, Human Resources at HP and JobTrain board member, convened at JobTrain to share their expertise by helping students develop marketable resumes. 

The workshop taught the fundamentals of job readiness, including interview skills, resume critique and how to successfully market oneself to prospective employers. HP has been a longtime supporter of JobTrain and provided critical assistance to students studying construction at JobTrain.

Click HERE to watch an excerpt from today's workshop. And be sure to watch Project Build student Jason's Special Thanks to Hewlett Packard! 





Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Visionary of Hope & Ambassador to Opportunity for All: Reflection of the Life & Legacy of Leon Sullivan



Today, we reflect upon the life and legacy of OIC founder and visionary Leon Howard Sullivan.

Reverend Sullivan was born on October 16, 1922 and passed away on this day in 2001.  Leon Sullivan was a Baptist minister, a civil rights leader and led the crusade for creating job training opportunities for Blacks. Sullivan helped organize the march on Washington, D.C., in the 1940s.  Sullivan knew that jobs were critical in order to improve the living conditions of Blacks. In 1958 he requested that the largest companies in Philadelphia interview young Blacks. After only two companies responded favorably to Sullivan, he organized a boycott of various businesses and regarded the act as “Selective Patronage.” Sullivan coined the slogan, “Don’t buy where you don’t work.” The boycott was remarkably effective as Blacks accounted for 20% of the population in Philadelphia. The end result: the boycott generated thousands of jobs for Blacks in the span of just (4) years. The New York Times ran the story on their front page. Fortune magazine’s coverage of the situation put Sullivan and his program on the national map of public awareness.

In 1962, Sullivan's Boycotts were recognized by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference who persuaded Sullivan to share information with them on his success. The exchange led to SCLC's economic arm, Operation Breadbasket, in 1967, headed by Jesse Jackson.

Sullivan’s “self-help” principle was an ideology based in the belief that people need tools to help themselves overcome barriers of poverty and oppression. Blacks were systematically excluded from better paying jobs as they were denied access to the requisite training. Sullivan’s vision and plan to help individuals obtain self-sufficiency was crystallized when he realized that jobs in of themselves were not enough. According to Sullivan: “I found that we need training.  Integration without preparation is frustration.”

In 1964, Sullivan launched Opportunities Industrialized Centers (OIC) of America. The program offered individuals with little hope and few prospects the opportunity to obtain critical job training and life skills to help them sustain employment. The innovative concept swept the nation.  As of date, with scores of affiliated programs in (30) states and the District of Columbia, OIC has prospered into a highly regarded movement, and has helped more than 2,000,000 disenfranchised and under-skilled individuals transform their lives.

OICW, Opportunities Industrialized Centers West (JobTrain) was established in 1965.  In 2008, OICW changed their name to JobTrain.  Since 1965, JobTrain continues to transform lives and communities in Silicon Valley. For nearly  five decades, we've helped the Valley's most in need reclaim their lives from poverty and unemployment by preparing them for successful careers in high-demand fields. JobTrain transforms personal motivation and potential into real skills that are the foundation for self-sufficiency and self-worth. In addition to “vocational training,” we understand that these fundamental transformations require a high school diploma, computer literacy, an interview outfit and ongoing encouragement, as well as access to basics like housing, transportation, counseling and childcare. Our 165,000 individual success stories prove that powerful transformations happen. And it takes time, commitment and the right resources.

Sullivan made history multiple times, especially when he became the first Black to join the Board of Directors at General Motors in 1971. Six years later, Sullivan instituted a code of conduct for companies doing business in South Africa, regarded as the “Sullivan Principles,” this was a solution to complete disinvestment. Sullivan was instrumental in ending apartheid by lobbying large corporations such as GM and others to voluntarily withdraw from conducting business in South Africa.  

Today, we honor an incomparable visionary and selfless leader that established real opportunities for individuals to help themselves. 

We celebrate Leon Sullivan's exemplary life, for creating the foundation which has sustained JobTrain for almost half a century, and for creating the international affiliate offices - that believe in the potential of every human being and encourages them to always strive for achieving their personal best.    

Friday, April 19, 2013

Wells Fargo Executives Lead Financial Literacy Workshop at JobTrain

On Friday, April 19, 2013, Wells Fargo representatives Nicole Harris and Deborah Sage, led a pertinent and timely financial workshop for the Professional Health Care Worker students at JobTrain, emphasizing financial stability.

Watch this video and learn why Wells Fargo Believes in JobTrain also click HERE  to watch an excerpt from the financial literacy workshop.  


Ms. Harris is the Assistant Branch Manager and Deborah Sage is a Personal Banker, at Wells Fargo. Their presentation focused on the importance of: 

  • Creating a practical budget 
  • Utilizing credit effectively 
  • Protecting against identity theft 

"I support JobTrain because of what they do for the community. They help people get on their feet.  They help people get ready for the work world. And it's simply a great place with a lot of happy and grateful faces."
 -Nicole Harris

"JobTrain is an amazing program. I refer people to JobTrain for the opportunity to rebuild their lives and educate themselves - and to become re-established within their communities." -Deborah Sage 





Friday, April 5, 2013

Second Harvest Food Bank Honors JobTrain as Outstanding Nutritional Partner!

On April 5, 2013, JobTrain was honored as the Outstanding Nutritional Partner by Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, at their annual 2013 Agency Conference—“Harvest of Knowledge.” 

Approximately 300 attendees celebrated this remarkable event at the Oracle campus in Redwood City. Director of Administrative Services Eric Forgaard, accepted the award on behalf of JobTrain. Second Harvest Food Bank presented the award to JobTrain, because we consistently benefit from the outstanding and nutritious food generously supplied by SHFB. 
JobTrain’s Youth Culinary Arts class and CDC (Child Development Center) are the proud beneficiaries of such in-kind donations. 

Our Culinary Arts students use the food to prepare delicious in-class meals. And our adorable preschoolers and their families, appreciate knowing that our little ones are receiving healthy juice boxes, fruit, wholesome snacks and breakfast items to help nourish their bodies and jumpstart their days. In addition to providing food, Second Harvest Food Bank leads nutritional training courses for our culinary classes and for our child development teachers. 

Please join us in celebrating this terrific honor and thanking Second Harvest Food Bank for recognizing JobTrain!



Monday, April 1, 2013

Facebook Hires Another JobTrain Graduate!

The BEST way to start the week is with a JobTrain bell ringing ceremony! 

Today, April 1, 2013, TAMMY OUTLAND returned to JobTrain with her precious daughter and proudly rang the Sharon Williams Legacy Bell, signifying that she's back in the workforce! Be sure to watch the exciting and inspirational bell ringing ceremony HERE

Tammy was hired through Flagship to work at Facebook as a bread maker. Tammy works 10PM to 6:30AM and absolutely LOVES her new job! 

According to Culinary Arts instructor Chef Adam Weiner, "I think she's brilliant and wonderful. Tammy's always smiling and very cheerful. It was just great having her in class! She was absolutely always a fabulous student!"

"I feel so excited about my future now and it's all because of everyone here. 
Thank you, JobTrain." -Tammy Outland