TALLER SAN JOSE 24 - 2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Emerita, Sister Eileen McNerney, has put a great deal of effort into making both facilities warm and inviting learning environments. Artwork adorns both buildings and the classrooms more appropriately resemble workstations as opposed to cold institutions. Il. About the Organization A. Description of Proposer Taller San Jose walks 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. Taller San Jose is a highly -focused, goal -oriented program that helps students develop into self-reliant adults through three training academies in Office Careers, Construction and Medical Careers, as well as support services that include mentoring and counseling, legal assistance, life skills workshops and job placement. Established by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange in 1995, Taller San Jose has helped more than 4,500 high-risk youth in Santa Ana and the surrounding communities restructure their lives, develop marketable skills and find employment. Taller San Jose employs twenty-five staff. The Organization's FY 2010-2011 operating budget is $2,677,696. The breakdown of revenue sources is as follows: Individuals- 12%; Corporate/Foundation Grants- 41%; Special Events -22%; Sisters of St. Joseph — 9%; and, Government grants- 8%. Taller San Jose works to promote systemic change within the local community. It serves as a structured and supportive environment in the center of Santa Ana for young people who are caught in the cycle of poverty and need further training to become financially independent. Taller San Jose carefully tracks its program outcomes and has learned that 92% of its program graduates are not re -incarcerated. By comparison, the State of California has one of the highest recidivism rates in the country, with 70% of past offenders returning to jail within twenty-four months of release. In the last fiscal year, Taller San Jose placed 168 young people into employment and: • $10.50 is the average wage of graduates • 35% of employed graduates receive full health benefits • 70% of those placed into employment in 2008 remain employed 12 months later • 38 are enrolled in college or an apprenticeship • 92% of graduates with a criminal record did not re -offend. B. Experience Taller San Jose serves the educational and job -training needs of Santa Ana and Central Orange County youth who are significantly disconnected from the workplace and educational institutions. Over the past two years Taller has operated the following youth programs: • Office Careers Academy: This program trains and certifies students in Microsoft Word and Excel and prepares graduates for employment as administrative assistants, receptionists and data entry specialists in local companies. Business Skills training is woven throughout the curriculum and incorporates customer service, presenting Power Point presentations, working with Outlook, writing business letters and professional etiquette. Every student participates in mock interview sessions with local business professionals prior to graduation. Through a unique partnership with Santa Ana College, students enrolled in this program are co -enrolled at the college, attend class on campus one day a week, and, upon graduation, receive up to 5 college credits toward their Associates Degree. Upon program completion the students receive their Microsoft Office Specialists certification from Certiport. 10 Exhibit A