TALLER SAN JOSE (2) - 2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Exhibit A 1. About the Program A. Executive Summary Taller San Jose (St. Joseph's Workshop) has one focused mission-to walk undereducated, unskilled and unemployed young people (ages 18-28) out of poverty through job training that offers the hope of a productive and self-reliant future. Young people in Santa Ana, who have not completed high school, who have no defined job skills, and who have criminal records, face a number of significant obstacles. Taller San Jose addresses these barriers through intensive classroom instruction, hands-on training, and effective adult mentoring to reduce barriers to employment or academic achievement. It is a highly focused, goal-oriented program that challenges its participants to build a foundation for future sustainability. Through its intensive job-training efforts in office careers, medical careers, and construction, youth acquire essential hands-on skills while learning how to adhere to basic employment principles such as: showing up on-time and as scheduled, working as team members to complete assignments, keeping work areas clean, safely using all tools and equipment, and properly filling out time cards. Taller San Jose challenges students to complete the following seven goals: obtain a high school diploma; open and use a bank account; enroll in a computer class; find a job paying above the minimum wage; remain crime free; register to vote; and obtain a -valid driver's license. Trainees are also provided support services that include mentoring and counseling, legal assistance, substance abuse support groups and job placement. The vision is to assist out-of-school youth to become economically self-sufficient in a relatively short period of time through intensive hands-on job training coupled with employability and social development. Long-term life changes for Taller San Jose graduates include: 92% of students are not arrested for violent crime as long as 3 years post-graduation; and, 82% of students who complete their program goals move on to full-time employment beyond minimum wage or to community college. The program's success in reaching these at-risk young people is attributed to a holistic, relational approach. The values of community, dignity and responsibility are woven into each program and every interaction. In fourteen years, Taller San Jose has helped over 4,000 young people in Central Orange County restructure their lives, finish their education and develop marketable job skills. Taller San Jose seeks funding to provide job-training to 15 out-of-school youth through its Office Careers, Medical Careers and Construction Academies. Although Taller San Jose provides programs and services that include all 10 WIA Elements/Services, for the purposes of this grant Taller San Jose will focus its efforts on WIA Elements/Services 3-10. Taller recruits out-of- school youth primarily from Santa Ana and Central Orange County who reflect the following profile: Ethnic diversity: 72% of youth are Latino, 13% are Caucasian, 7% Asian, 3% African American and 5% Other; Age: Youth and young adults between the ages of 18 and 28. Median age is 23; Court-involvement. 59% of male students are currently on probation or parole; Education and skill levels: 95% are deficient in basic skills (i.e., 6th grade math and reading levels); Education level. 38% of students did not complete their High School Diploma; Job experience: 77% are unemployed. 37% have never held a job. Of those who have been employed, 85% have not held a job for more than 6 months; Family profile: 22% of female students are parents. 17% of male students are fathers. Taller San Jose's recruitment efforts include: 1) Community Outreach Coordinator - a part-time staff member dedicated to actively marketing the program to potential students and organizing 1 sponsored by the Sisters of St. Josepb of Orange