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Be Part of Community Job & Resource Fair and Adopt-A-House 2009
Second Chance's Community Job & Resource Fair
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Friday, May 15, 2009
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STRIVE class #131 at 11:00 AM
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Job & Resource Fair from 1:00 - 4:00 PM
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Employer and community resource information
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Individual resume critiques by human resource professionals.
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"How to get a job in today's environment" at 1:30 and 3:00 PM. Scott Silverman, executive director of Second Chance; Mark Cafferty, Director of the San Diego Workforce Partnership; and Phil Blair, CEO of Manpower; will give tips and
tricks for finding a job in this difficult economic climate.
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Employers include Allied Barton, Army National Guard, City of San Diego, Essential Support Services, Manpower, MTS, Neighborhood House, UPS and Wells Fargo.
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Schools include Springfield College, Knowledgeocity and Technical Professional Career College.
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Community resource agencies include 211 San Diego, Arc of San Diego, A New Path, Building Bridges Together, Council on Literacy, Legal Aid Society, Primerica, San Diego County Access & Crisis Hotline, San Diego Urban League, Stepping
Higher and the YWCA.
Adopt-A-House 2009
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Saturday, May 16, 2009
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9:00 AM - Noon
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Community volunteers, Second Chance staff and residents perform maintenance and beautification projects.
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A great chance to have fun, make new friends and get dirty for a good cause.
None of this can happen without sponsors, volunteers and donations. In addition to financial sponsorships and volunteers, we are especially in need of professional building services and supplies for this year's Adopt-A-House efforts.
Employers and community resource agencies are encouraged to contact Rebecca Williamson to arrange for exhibit space. There is NO FEE for exhibitors. Human resource professionals who would like to volunteer to provide resume critiques, and
volunteers interested in Adopt-A-House should also email.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please join Union Bank, Nordstrom, Jacob's Center for Neighborhood Innovation and SP Direct Printers in supporting this event. Packages feature listings in the event program, on building signage and
volunteer T-shirts and mention in all of our public relations efforts.
Please contact
Rebecca at Second Chance or register online at
www.secondchanceprogram.org.
City Councilmembers Visit for Graduations
Graduates from upcoming classes will hear from a variety of guest speakers. Supporters and members of the public are also always welcome at graduations. All graduations are held at Second Chance and begin at 11:00 AM. Upcoming speakers
include:
April 17: City Councilmember Kevin Faulconer
May 15: City Councilmember Carl DeMaio
June 26: City Councilmember Ben Hueso
"Mom, If You Could See Me Now"
"It's still hard to believe that they trust me. I have a company truck, a company credit card, and I work on jobs where a mistake could ruin a $100,000 refrigeration system. Sometimes it's scary but I love it too."
That's how Gregory describes his life now. But it wasn't always such a rosy picture. Before he came to Second Chance, Gregory was addicted to drugs, had been to prison and lived on the streets. He had stolen cars and sold drugs. But in
2006, things began to turn around for him. Thanks to the impetus provided by Proposition 36, he was able to participate in a drug court program rather than return to jail. He found a place in a recovery home and kicked his drug habit.
He came to Second Chance to participate in the STRIVE job readiness training so he could get and keep a job. He notes, "I could always get $8-an-hour jobs, but I couldn't keep them." At Second Chance STRIVE, he learned skills he needed
to keep a job. He learned how to "suit up and show up" each day. After graduating from STRIVE, he obtained a minimum wage job as a security person at a dollar store. He was offered a permanent spot there but he had his eye on doing
something different.
He had always been interested in refrigeration and air conditioning, and he saw an online ad for a position. Actually, he saw an ad that someone else had printed out and left lying on a desk at Second Chance. He called to apply but was
told he had to be EPA certified. He wasn't but that didn't stop him. He saved for the $200 testing fee and studied for the test. He "heard a voice in his head saying he couldn't do it" but he tried anyway. He passed the test. Then he
called back the potential employer and was interviewed the next day. At the end of the day, he was handed keys to "his" truck and a cell phone because he was always on call.
Now he has a job and an apartment for the first time in 30 years. "I'm a regular citizen now. I'm involved in the community – I did the Ocean Beach cleanup day and a run for muscular dystrophy. I have paid vacation and paid holidays for
the first time. I've gotten regular raises. It's all made a world of difference for me."
Gregory still stops by Second Chance to talk to his job developer when he needs encouragement or is feeling uncertain about work. He is grateful that his employer has been willing to mentor him and provide information. "I didn't give up,
even when I was out of my comfort zone. If everyone who comes to Second Chance gives it half the effort they gave to life on the streets, everyone would be successful."
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