Pre-Apprentice Construction Program Begins

On July 31, SFCC began our Pre-Apprentice Program that prepares participants for the building trades and construction fields. Funded by Prop 39, this 4-week intensive course welcomes both women and men, and covers topics such as MC3 Curriculum, blueprint/design math, PPE and safety training, tools and materials usage, interview skills (resume/cover letter review), and includes field trips and guest speakers. Pre-Apprentice participants gain hands-on experience while getting industry-recognized certifications that accelerates their job placement upon completion. 

Pre-Apprentice participants learn how to install solar panels

Summer Enrichment Series Success

During the month of July, SFCC Corpsmembers participated in our Summer Enrichment Program in collaboration with the John Muir Charter School, which included workshops, speakers, and field trips. Topics of enrichment were "Bringing your A Game" (personal and character development; co-facilitated by Tom Holcomb Jr. and Eric Van), Mindfulness Training (Lead by JP Davis and Mindfulness Care Center), Self-Worth Group Discussions (Lead by Kisha Escudero and Delia Barnes), Food, Health, and Nutrition (SF Marin Food Bank and SF Emergency Preparedness Academy; facilitated by Jeff Bostic), and Technology and Innovation (Goodwill/Recompute, lead by Debra Gore-Mann).

Corpsmembers took cooking classes, participated in guided meditation (see previous post "Motivated and Mindful"), and even deconstructed and re-built computers! This program offered opportunities to explore new interests and develop life skills. Thank you to our partners for your time and resources! 

-Mindfulness Care Center

-SF Marin Food Bank

-Goodwill/Recompute

A volunteer from the SF Marin Food Bank presents on healthy and nutritious cooking

Corpsmembers cook a healthy stir-fry. 

As part of Techology and Innovation Workshops, Corpsmembers take apart a computer. 

Before reconstruction! 

Corpsmembers visit the Goodwill/Recompute site to learn about technology and innovation.

Excited about E-waste! 

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Corpsmembers Awarded Certificate of Excellence!

For their dedicated participation and involvement in the Summer Enrichment Program the following Corpsmembers were awarded a Certificate of Excellence. Congrats and keep up the good work! 

Corpsmembers (from left) James, Charles, Jonathan, Robert, Isabelle, Marquesha, and Dazae 

Career Pathways Field Trip to PocketGems

On Friday June 2, 2017, the SFCC and 4 Corpsmembers attended a Career Pathways field trip to visit PocketGems, a local San Francisco gaming company. During the field trip CM’s, Charles Jones, Isabelle (Izzy) Aliakbar, Chris Rodriquez and Tyler Pettry, along with SFCC staff members, Tom Holcomb Jr, Career Development Manager and Eric Van, John Muir Charter School, Career Pathways Coach, took a tour of the PocketGems Gaming Company headquarters as well as had a discussion with three artists regarding their work at PocketGems. We had a discussion with a 2D studio artist (Kinman) who had created work for projects such as Sponge Bob SquarePants 3D, the Inside Out, and even Rogue One a Stars Wars Story. In addition to the 2D animated we also heard from a 3D Animator who discussed what it was like to work on projects such as an upcoming unreleased game that will be released later this year. And finally, CM’s heard from Greg a Concept Manager (Art Director) who took them on a journey through the various gaming titles he had helped bring back too life as well as work on some of the titles include; Clash of Clans and Boom Beach. In addition, we took at a look at concept art ideas and were a part of the marketing departments focus group for an up and coming game that is due out later next year. Overall, both Corpsmembers and staff had a blast to see the inner workings of a Gaming Company.

Izzy: “Really cool, I’d like to work here one day!”

Chris: “Eye opening, I appreciate the culture.”

Corpsmembers Motivated and Mindful

Last week, SFCC Corpsmembers and staff JP Davis completed a week-long Mindfulness Workshop at the Mindfulness Care Center on 42 Gough St.

The Mindfulness Care Center offers a unique approach that allows an individual to begin feeling whole, safe and more embodied. Mindfulness Based Stress reduction is used to bridge the gap between anxiety, unresolved trauma and stress to living a joyful grounded life. Over the course of the week Buddhist Chaplain Rik Center guided them through a journey of self-reflection and inner growth. Activities included spirited group discussion/dialogue, mindfulness exercises and guided meditation.

Over the course of the week The SFCC Corpsmembers and JP were able to grow and build their knowledge of self while harnessing a new understanding of what Mindfulness truly is.

SFCC Hosts Annual Career Expo

Every year the San Francisco Conservation Corps collaborates with the John Muir Charter School to host the annual Career Expo. This year on June 15th, Corpsmembers and Academy students got a chance to showcase their career development skills while networking with peers and other community members. We had seven community partners who took part in this year’s event including the Bay Area Video Coalition (BAYVC), SFMade, GreenCitizen, Urban Services YMCA, SFO Airport, and SF City College!

The Career Expo had three rotating rooms; 1. Mock-Interviewing, 2. Speed Networking (30 Second Pitch) and finally (new this year) 3. Career Fair (see original correspondence regarding who attended). We had 15 Corpsmembers involved total and 12 were also John Muir Students. Thank you to everyone that was involved for making this event a success!