Congrats to Graduates of Pre-Apprentice Program!

On August 30,2017, SFCC's first cohort of Pre-Apprentice participants graduated from the program! This 4-week intensive construction-focused training included tool-safety, hands-on learning experience, field trips to work sites, and much more! 

Congratulations to our Pre-Apprentice graduates, we are excited for your bright futures! 

Frank Garcia, Eric Aparicio, Kevin Hooker, De Jon Sandefur, Jonathan Jones, John Blazquez, Isabella Ali akbar Carranza, Joseph Howard, Lanaa Holmes, Damian Gudino, Savanneck Stiger, Otis Seals, Lorina P. Dones, Darlene Gilbert, Jolisa Franks

If you are interested in joining our next Pre-Apprentice class visit our webpage to learn more.

CPR Certificate-holders!

John recieves an award of excellence. 

Savannah recieves an award for improved math score.

SFCC Staff Attends Recycling Conference

On August 20-23, Suzie Pederson, SFCC's E-waste crew leader, attended the California Resource Recovery Conference (CRRC) in San Diego. The CRRC "organizes one of the most comprehensive and informative conferences dedicated to recycling and sustainable materials management in California and beyond" (http://crra.com/conference). This conference was a great opportunity to continue our collaboration with other organizations and learn about upcoming opportunities to expand our impact. 

Suzie states, “while attending the CRRA’s 41st annual conference in San Diego, CA I had the opportunity to hear from educated professionals about the latest policy, technology, and community organization related to the state’s current zero waste initiatives. There were a variety of speakers discussing a range of topics from the future of organics recycling to the latest policy put in place to address California’s zero waste goals. Some specific discussions that I took particular interest in were about educating and engaging students in zero waste, protecting fresh water systems by recovering drugs, oil, and mercury, and thinking about new ways to motivate change within our communities. I had the opportunity to meet the representatives of corps programs from different jurisdictions around the state to discuss future opportunities and current best practices within the corps. I now realize that it isn’t only San Francisco/NorCal that is taking action to address the issue of waste, but rather the entire state of California has taken a stance and there are people working all over to be a part of the solution. As said at the conference, California is a beacon of light for the rest of the country and is leading the way for zero waste. Overall, it was an enriching experience while being a part of several informative discussions and meeting others in the field who we could potentially form partnerships with.”

Fun Friday for SFCC Corpsmembers and Staff!

On Friday, August 25, the San Francisco Conservation Corps showed appreciation for our Corpsmembers and Staff for all of their hard work this summer by hosting a Fun Friday! This excitement-packed day included a boat tour of the bay (courtesy of Blue and Gold Fleet) and lunch at Dolores Park. Thank you to everyone who made this summer so memorable!! 

SF Conservation Corps Attends Community Clean-Up

On August 17, SFCC staff and Corpsmembers attended the Sunnydale Community Clean-Up event! This was hosted by the San Francisco YMCA, and included a neighborhood clean-up, back-to-school backpack giveaway, and arts and crafts fair. Our Corpsmembers and staff enjoyed meeting Sunnydale residents and other community members, and were excited to be part of beautifying our city! Corpsmembers also got to meet Mayor Ed Lee and the Chief of Police, and we are thankful to our partners and supporters that made this event possible. SFCC is grateful to be part of such an incredible community!! 

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! 

---

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!