Community Coordinator Report
Josephine Wyatt

Siskiyou County  Community Coordinator

 April - June, 2005

Workforce Connection Community Employment Centers Get a ‘MAKE-OVER!’
by Cheryl Murphy

The first of Spring found staff toting dust cloths and dirt devils, moving furniture, cleaning out shelves, drawers, and desk-tops in follow up to some recent remodeling of the Weed office,  and restructuring of Workforce Connection offerings, in both Weed and Yreka offices.

In Weed, a “glassless window” was built into the wall between the computer lab and the reception counter.  Customers and visitors have commented favorably on the “open affect”, giving a more airy and friendly atmosphere!  Two more computers have been added to be reserved for customers who would like to start afresh with, or improve old, computer skills.  WC offers the Microsoft Software Tutorials as well as the Mavis Beacon Typing Tutor, which will prep customers for taking a Free typing test!

New literature racks now adorn the walls in Yreka and Weed.  They will soon be filled with various colored literature with the latest job openings copied on them.  This new idea in presenting the job listings will help job seekers more easily identify what's available and new in our local labor market.  The various colors will represent the different job industries.  Examples would be:  1.  Green paper used for forestry, agricultural jobs.  2.  Blue for the construction industry.  3.  Cherry for the Health care   4. Grey for Maintenance/Repair.  This method offers a more visible approach to job seeking, which includes a more streamlined method for the job seeker when he/she walks in the door for job services.

And of course, Workforce Connection’s friendly staff will continue to assist customers, providing information on how to apply for their job choices, writing résumés and cover letters, and providing referrals for those seeking information from EDD, as well as other government and local agencies.  So, please stop by for a visit to see the changes, Monday through Friday, 9 to 5pm!


                               



Job Retention Success!
by Paula Young&Reich

Diana Llewellyn successfully reached Job Retention services one-year completion date this month and celebrated one-year of employment as Administrative Assistant at Remi-Vista, Incorporated.  In a recent letter, Diana wrote to Workforce Connection Job Retention Advisor, Paula Young&Reich, she expressed her appreciation for the assistance she received.

Dear Paula,

 I just want to say thank you for all of your help throughout the past year.  I appreciate the effort that you have put into helping me find a job that was suitable for me.  I have really enjoyed working with you and knowing that you will be available to continue support for job seeking, parenting, or anything that I feel I need help with.  It has been a great relief to know that you are available if I need to talk with you.

 I mostly appreciate your help with my resume.  I feel like that is probably the reason I was able to get an interview with Remi Vista.  After fixing my resume, you have really highlighted my skills and helped me to realize that I have more skills than what I had realized.  Your encouragement has been helpful as well.  If you had not encouraged me I would have been too scared to even apply at Remi Vista.  I love working here and I feel like it has been a great match for me.

Your help and support has been greatly appreciated throughout this past year and I look forward to the last little bit of time we have left to work with each other.

Sincerely,

Diana Llewellyn                                                       CONGRATULATIONS DIANA!!!!




2005 Youth “Get a Job” Days
by Wanda Norgaard & Cheryl Murphy

For over 5 years, Workforce Connection has been reaching out to county high school students in an endeavor to assist in preparing them for the world of work.  Youth “Get A Job” Days is an annual event each Spring, making the “connection” between teens and employers for summer jobs in Siskiyou County.  Wanda Norgaard, Career Resources Technician, once again headed up the endeavor, by contacting area schools to schedule class time in order to work with students, assisting them in writing résumés and answering their job search questions.  For some of these students, it was their first exposure to applying for a job!  Wanda, along with other Workforce Connection staff, visited the schools and actually “taught” the job search classes.  Students were given informational packets that contain an assortment of job search tools, such as a selection of résumé styles, a generic job application form, and even a lesson on “how not to get fired!”

Prior to the scheduled class time, Wanda contacted various employers to identify which ones were willing to hire teen-aged workers.  She developed a “Job Board” with the postings so that students could choose which jobs they are interested in applying for, when they attended the class sessions.  To add some festivity to the event, Wanda also contacted local merchants, who were willing to donate door prizes, such as free lunch certificates, burger meals, banana splits, Tee shirts, jewelry, video rentals, and more!  Students were able to enter a drawing for the prizes, to include $50 savings bonds from both Premier West and US Bank!

This year's Youth “Get A Job” Days was a tremendous success once again, serving 4 high schools and 118 students.  “Job” well done!




Wanda Norgaard poses with Weed High School Students who won the drawing for the savings bonds.  Also present are class teacher Ron Dohrn (far left), and principle Mike Matheson (far right).

“…. Partnership in Action!”
by Paula Young&Reich

Siskiyou County now has ten Family Resource Centers in the major towns that were created from money appropriated through the winning initiative of Proposition 10 (The California Children and Families First Act) in the November election in 1998.  Their purpose is to benefit families in offering a local organizational structure that offers educational and recreational services as well as community involvement activities and large-scale volunteer opportunities.  They offer a wide range of services to the community focused on parent education and life skills as well as recreational and educational activities.

Each month Job Retention Advisor, Paula Young&Reich, from the Workforce Connection works together with each FRC and other community partners in creating a calendar featuring activities and workshops.  This collaborative effort informs organizations and individuals of events that are of interest and benefit to them in their local area.  It also helps to avoid duplication of services, maximize organizational resources, and furnishes more comprehensive services in each community. 

“Your coordination and pre-planning to “get the word out” through the FRC calendar DOES make a difference.  A Great BIG THANK YOU to Paula Young &Reich for her time in editing and distributing this monthly calendar.  It is partnership in action!” -- Karen Pautz, FRC Advocate
                        

One example of the many services offered through the FRC in Yreka is “Career Fashions for Men and Women”.  Thanks to generous donations from Yreka Rotary and the public, they have a fabulous selection of clothes, accessories, and shoes in all sizes and colors!  This service is very helpful for individuals needing assistance with clothing for job interviews, work, or court appearances. 

 
Job Retention Participant, Bernadette Forrest, models work clothing that she recently acquired through “Career Fashions” for her job as Tenant Relations Officer.
My Experience at the Workforce Connection
by Tulasi Lagares

I first learned about the STEP program through a friend of mine who got a job as a cashier through Janie Gaither and the STEP program. I was very interested because I wanted to work and not at fast food. So I talked to someone who recommended me. One day out of the blue Janie called me.

I started April 18th  and my last day will be this Friday, July 15th . I have learned a lot working here and I know it is good experience for my future jobs. I have learned how to use binding machines, copying machines and fax machines. I have gained more experience with computers, administrative work, scheduling appointments, customer service, and much more. I know all of my new skills will help me in the future.

Working at the Workforce Connection has been a great opportunity for me to gain all the knowledge I could in office work. I am grateful for the STEP program because without it I probably would be working fast food. I am planning on moving to Arcata shortly after my last day. I have been able to save a lot of money working at the Workforce Connection and without this job I probably wouldn't have been able to carry out with my plans of moving and buying my first car. I would like to thank all the staff at the Workforce Connection for always being so nice to me and helping me so much.
Work Experience Pays Off
by Angelica Rodriguez
My name is Angelica and I work at the Workforce Connection as the Receptionist for work experience/training. I have had many job experiences and I must say that this is the best place I have ever worked in. Everyone here is so pleasant, especially the staff, they treat me more as one of their employees rather than a trainee. They are genuinely nice people.

 At the Workforce Connection my job consists of answering and transferring calls, directing customers to the lab, and providing customers with as much information as I possibly can. I also design staff's monthly calendars along with other odds and ends jobs.

 My future goal is to go back to school and major in child psychology, but in the meantime I am building up my experience to obtain a good paying job so that I may provide for my 3-1/2 year old son. I am hoping with this experience I can obtain better job opportunities.

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Managers
by Josephine Wyatt

The Workforce Connection sponsored a training Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Managers on Wednesday, June 22, 2005.  There were twenty-one attendees from several agencies, which included the City of Weed, Mountain County Supply, Cross Petroleum, Mt. Shasta Veneer, Mt. Shasta Do It Best Hardware, Siskiyou Domestic Violence,  Siskiyou County Human Services, and STEP, Inc.

Frank Sanderson, TOC California Regional Manager, discussed how do you define sexual harassment, recognizing workplace activity that can lead to harassment complaints, how employers can be held liable for harassment, what is the supervisors and managers role in enforcing the company's non-harassment policy, and how to investigate and respond to a harassment complaint.

The evaluations were excellent and those attending felt that this was a very important training for their management staff.  All attendees received a certificate of attendance for their personnel files.
Siskiyou County Partnership Conference 2005
by Josephine Wyatt

"The Power of One"

Siskiyou County Human Services, along with Siskiyou Training and Employment Program, Inc., hosted a “Partnership Conference” on  June 7 & 8 at the Mt. Shasta Resort on "The Power of One, Motivating Yourself and Others".

Staff from both agencies were in attendance,  and because of the large group, the one-day training was presented on two separate days to accommodate the large number of attendees This was a great time for partner staff to network and have a relaxing, fun and motivating day together. 

The first presenter was Teresita Castro-McGee, who spoke of the two types of motivation, internal and external.  We discussed our values and how well are we living our values, because “Often there is a gap between what we say and what we do.” We also talked about what do we most love to do, as “Passion Drives Success!” 

The second presenter was Elaine Whitefeather, who talked about “Caring for Your Work…What You Do Matters.”  Elaine spoke about self-care, internal spirituality in the workplace, meditation, natural care for stress management and how to create visions and goals.