GROWING TALLERWINTER 2014

t’s been over a year since 24-year-old

Allie completed her training in the Medical

Careers Academy. “Stable” is how she

describes her life today, but it wasn’t always

that way.

Growing up, Allie moved around a lot. Her parents

struggled to provide steady housing, which meant

that Allie sometimes had to live with friends. After

her mom got sick and lost her job, Allie started

working two minimum wage jobs to help with the

bills. “It was a constant struggle,” she shares. She

didn’t see continuing her education as an option,

until a friend told her about Taller San Jose. She

enrolled in the Clinical Medical Assisting program

in June 2013.

Allie showed up on-time and ready to learn

every day. As part of her 20-week training,

Allie completed a 4-week externship at

St. Jude Heritage Medical Group in Yorba Linda.

She thrived in the fast-paced environment

and worked hard to demonstrate her skills

and abilities to her supervisor. She was thrilled

to accept a full-time position as a medical

assistant last December.

One year later, Allie continues to excel in her role.

She supports a doctor with a busy practice and

says she enjoys caring for patients. Her supervisor

praises her attendance and punctuality—Allie

hasn’t missed a day of work since she started last

December! And this past October, Allie received

a 5% raise for her performance and is now

earning $13.84 per hour.

With the help of her Taller San Jose case

manager, Allie continues to achieve the goals

she set forth at the start of her training. This

past year, she finally saved enough money

to buy a reliable car. Allie also continues her

education—with the support of United Way’s

Women’s Philanthropy Fund, Allie studied

to become a certified phlebotomist.

“It feels good to not have to live paycheck to

paycheck anymore,” Allie says. “I put a little

bit of money into my retirement account

every month and I finally have health benefits.

It’s amazing how much my life has changed

just because of this program!”

Working Towards StabilityMeet Allie

On September 13, 2014, Taller San Jose

hosted nearly 600 guests, including

Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait, at its 18th

annual Light Up A Life gala. The R.J. Noble

Company and the Carver Family were honored

with the Best of Friends Award.

The gala included an exciting auction, a delightful

meal served by Turnip Rose Elite Catering, an

inspirational program that included remarks

by student speaker Danny Aiava, and videos

generously donated by DGWB Advertising &

Communications. Auctioneer Zack Krone treated

guests to an exciting live auction and Amigo

Scholarship drive. Guest Chris Hill won the grand

prize raffle drawing for his choice of either a

2014 Chevy Silverado or Chevy Volt, generously

donated by Guaranty Chevrolet of Santa Ana. The

gala raised more than $550,000 in net proceeds.

Taller San Jose is grateful to Joyce Armen and

Mimi Cora, Event Co-Chairs, and to everyone who

supported Light Up A Life. Leading up to the gala,

Joyce, Mimi and the entire committee devoted

countless hours to ensuring the event would

be inspiring and beautiful. Joyce helped Danny

Aiava prepare his remarks. After reflecting on

this opportunity she shared, “It was inspiring for

me as a donor and volunteer to see how Danny

applied the guidance and tools Taller San Jose

gave him. Danny calls the program a blessing, but

Danny has also been our blessing through his hard

work and success!” A video recording of Danny’s

speech can be viewed on Taller San Jose’s website.

Light Up A Life

Pictured: Best of Friends honorees KaSondra, Mike and Brenda Carver

Pictured: Event co-chair Mimi Cora, executive director Shawna Smith, student speaker Danny Aiava, and event co-chair Joyce Armen

I

recently received an email message from Danny, who many of you heard speak at this year’s Light Up A Life

gala. Prior to enrolling in Taller San Jose’s Construction Academy last February, Danny had never been employed. Now, after 5 months of employment with the R.J. Noble Company, Danny shared with me his excitement that this Thanksgiving marked his first paid holiday ever. His email got me thinking about the value of having stable employment during the holidays. My own middle-class upbringing in a family with nine children meant that the holidays were filled with lots of food, the giving and receiving of gifts, and time spent with loved ones. My upbringing set a foundation from which I have built my own family, creating for my children the same sense of security I have enjoyed throughout my own life. From this vantage point, it can be hard to understand how at 25 years old, this will be the first Christmas Danny will experience this way. Because of Taller San Jose, it won’t be the last.

What Taller San Jose gives young people, like Danny, is the opportunity to build the life-long stability that so many of us enjoy without a second thought. By empowering youth with the job and life skills they need to create enduring transformations in their lives, Taller San Jose connects young people to the kind of stability that is as simple, yet profound, as a paid day off during the holidays.

We couldn’t do any of it without your generous partnership as donors, employers, and advocates.

Greetings from Shawna Smith

Everybody Needs an Amigo

A.O. Reed & Co.Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan AcostaDr. and Mrs. Richard AfableMs. Irene AguilarDr. and Mrs. Bob ArmenMr. and Mrs. Bill BaadenMr. Nima BakhtiaryMr. and Mrs. Sam BarkerMr. and Mrs. Randall F. BrydgesMs. Catherine BullMs. Sylvia BurnettMr. and Mrs. Mike ButlerMr. and Mrs. Michael CarverMr. and Mrs. Pete ColinMr. and Mrs. Dan CoppMr. and Mrs. James CoraMr. Jeffery CraigMr. and Mrs. Michael CrawfordMs. Shawna CridlandMr. and Mrs. Tim CrossonDeloitte LLPMr. Brent Diehl and Mrs. Nancy Kim-DiehlMrs. Joan DohertyMr. and Mrs. David EngelMr. and Mrs. David Escansa-HaighMs. Alexis FlippenMs. Bridget FordMr. and Mrs. Chuck FosdickMr. and Mrs. Jon GotholdMr. Scott Gotreau and Mrs. Shawna Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan GreenMr. and Mrs. Bruce HamlinMr. and Mrs. James HarmonMr. and Mrs. Edward HaskeMr. and Mrs. Robert HaubMr. and Mrs. Richard M. HeimMr. and Mrs. Randy HighlandMr. and Mrs. Thomas HillMr. and Mrs. Tom HonanMr. and Mrs. Harry HunoldMr. and Mrs. Richard HunsakerMr. and Mrs. Samuel P. IngardiaMr. and Mrs. Marty JurickMr. and Mrs. Larry KaneMr. and Mrs. Paul D. Kinsley, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Kent KitselmanMr. and Mrs. Rick KnoxMr. and Mrs. Mark D. KrikorianMr. Christopher LeoMr. and Mrs. Timothy J. LeVeckeMr. and Mrs. Tom LoughreyMr. and Mrs. Kris ManningMr. and Ms. Michael McDonnellMr. and Mrs. Kenneth McFarlandMr. and Mrs. Robert McGrathMr. and Mrs. Michael McLeanMrs. Patty MendozaMr. and Mrs. Austin MillerMr. and Mrs. Kendall P. Miller, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Darrin M. MontalvoMr. and Mrs. Steven C. MoreauMr. and Mrs. Kevin MurphyMr. and Mrs. Mike Orem

Mr. and Mrs. Greg PalmerMr. Lee PenroseMr. and Mrs. Steve PenzesThe PIMCO FoundationMs. Deborah ProctorMr. Jeff Randolph and Ms. Diane KochMr. and Mrs. Troy D. RoeRush Truck CenterMr. and Mrs. Darren RutledgeMr. and Mrs. Joseph RyanMr. and Mrs. Paul SchloemerMs. Linda L. SimonMr. and Mrs. Ray SkeltonMs. Stephanie Sloggett-O’DellMr. and Mrs. Frederick W. Smith, Jr.St. John Vianney Chapel GuildMr. Larry J. StofkoMr. and Mrs. Jon StorbeckMr. and Mrs. Mike SuchyMs. Kim SullivanMayor and Mrs. Thomas TaitMr. and Mrs. Doug ThomasMr. Anthony P. WagnerMr. and Mrs. Charles E. WalkerMr. and Mrs. John WalshThe William and Sue Gross Family FoundationMr. and Mrs. Robert A. WilsonMr. James Woody and Mrs. Kathleen McMurrayMr. Rafael Zavala and Ms. Gabriela Robles

Employer Partner Highlight

Taller San Jose proudly partners with the Hurtt Family Health Clinic to place trainees from its Medical Careers

Academy into employment. As part of the Orange County Rescue Mission, the clinic provides comprehensive healthcare services to low-income patients through mobile health clinics and at sites in Santa Ana and Tustin.

The clinic has hired four Taller San Jose graduates over the past year. Chelci Fadden, office manager of the Santa Ana clinic, shares:

“ Since hiring four students from Taller San Jose, we have seen an overall improvement in the services and care we provide to our patients. The graduated students demonstrate a great amount of professionalism, willingness to learn and adapt, and have been thoroughly trained. [They] have demonstrated that they are adequately prepared and equipped to thrive in their medical assistant and billing positions. We have been repeatedly impressed and extremely satisfied with the program’s results and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Taller San Jose in the future!”

Taller San Jose is grateful to the Hurtt Family Health Clinic for providing employment opportunities to Taller San Jose youth.

With a grateful heart,

Shawna SmithCEO/Executive Director

Become an Amigo by sponsoring a scholarship for a young person working to turn their life around. Amigo scholarships help to provide hands-on job skills training, support services and links to employment and education for the 350 young people Taller San Jose serves each year.

To sponsor an Amigo scholarship, please call (714) 543-5105, ext. 128 or visit www.tallersanjose.org.

Taller San Jose appreciates its most recent Amigos, who made gifts between mid-July and mid-November 2014:

I

T im and Alanna Psomas are two of Taller San Jose’s long-time supporters. The couple was first introduced to Taller San Jose by

friends, who shared with them the story of Sister Eileen’s resolve to provide hope to troubled young people. The Psomas’ fondly remember the organization’s early days, when youth first learned the trade of carpentry through benchmaking. “It was such a simple, but good thought— put young hands to work and keep them out of trouble,” says Alanna.

Over the past 16 years, Tim and Alanna have supported Taller San Jose in many ways—volunteering, providing Amigo scholarships to youth in Taller San Jose’s training academies, and encouraging friends and family to get involved.

Last summer, Tim organized and led a volunteer tutoring program with fellow Order of Malta members. The group provided weekly math help to young men in the Construction

Academy. Tim shares, “I was so impressed with the young men and, for me, seeing the light go on when we explained something in a way that they had not thought about was so rewarding.”

And the investment of time paid off—the youth who participated in tutoring improved their math scores by an average of 5 grade levels!

When asked why they continue to support Taller San Jose year after year, Alanna enthusiastically replies, “I’ve found that every contribution that goes toward the organization, whether financial or in-kind, is magnified. Just like the lives of the young people going through the program, it does not stay static; it grows.” Tim says it is the organization’s focus on the individual, and its ability to make a real difference in the lives of each young person, that keeps him so engaged.

Tim and Alanna encourage others to learn more about Taller San Jose by taking the time to meet with a student, volunteering, or taking a tour. Taller San Jose is grateful to the Psomas’ for the many ways they help empower young people to make enduring transformations in their lives.

Amigo Spotlight Tim and Alanna Psomas

Get Involved

To RSVP for a monthly tour or to request that Taller San Jose make a presentation at your office, please contact Lindsey Fry at (714) 543-5105, ext. 121.

Sister Eileen Legacy Society T here is a word in Spanish, “ganas”,

that doesn’t translate easily into English. In its strongest sense, it means having

the will to take on a challenge. While hundreds of young people, buried in a pit of troubles, apply to Taller San Jose each year, only 200 are accepted. Those who interview potential candidates are looking and listening for young people who have enough “ganas” to overcome life’s hurdles.

Having “ganas” means that a young person, when thrown a rope, will grab it and start climbing. That unique strength of character, and your support as a generous donor, are the two critical factors that make Taller San Jose’s life-changing outcomes possible. I believe that the grace of God plays a role in all of this. That is why I keep both Taller San Jose’s young people, and you, in my fervent and grateful prayers each day.

For information on how to include Taller San Jose in your estate plans, please contact Christa Sheehan at (714) 543-5105, ext. 112.

Attend a Taller San Jose WORKS Tour!Upcoming Tour Dates:• January 13, 1:00 P.M.• February 10, 8:30 A.M.• March 10, 1:00 P.M.

• To Volunteer, please contact Lindsey Fry at (714) 543-5105, ext. 121

• To Hire a Graduate, please contact Meghan Medlin at (714) 543-5105, ext. 138

• To Make a Gift, please contact Shirley Hann at (714) 543-5105, ext. 128

Hope Builders—Taller San Jose’s general contracting company— is a self-sustaining business that

positively impacts youth, families and the greater community. Last year, the social enterprise contributed over $300,000 in wages to the local economy by providing jobs to unemployed youth in Orange County. Hope Builders’ commitment to quality and service has also led to increased sales since 2011—over $2 million to date—generating revenue that directly supports Taller San Jose’s program.

One of Hope Builders’ current projects is helping to improve living conditions for low-income Orange County residents. The licensed full-service general contracting company recently secured a contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to renovate 16 affordable housing units in Brea through a project with

Innovative Housing Opportunities. Hope Builders crew members, who are graduates of Taller San Jose’s Construction Academy, are receiving prevailing wages for completing carpentry, drywall, plumbing and electrical repairs for low-income residents.

Jesse Lazaro is a member of the Hope Builders team that is working to complete the project. Before enrolling in Taller San Jose, Jesse lacked the skills for more than a minimum wage job; he felt stuck. Jesse completed his training in the Construction Academy and started with Hope Builders in October 2013. He was recently promoted to a permanent position and, in addition to a raise, he is now receiving employer-sponsored benefits. Jesse shares, “I am so grateful to be a part of Hope Builders and to continue improving my skills, which will help me in the future.”

Hope Builders: Profit-Driven Approach to Positive Social Impact

For more information about Hope Builders, contact Cathy Larson, Director, at (714) 542-2129, ext. 209.

801 N. BroadwaySanta Ana, CA 92701-3423(714) 543-5105www.tallersanjose.org

Taller San Jose Board of Directors — Angela Wergechik, Board Chair; Shawna Smith, CEO/Executive Director; Jon Gothold; Richard Heim; Tom Honan; Christopher Leo; Vicki McKemy; Sister Eileen McNerney, CSJ; Rick Nogueira; Jeff Randolph; Kathleen D. Rodin; Catherine Skelton; Larry Stofko; George Urch; Charles E. Walker; Kevin Wijayawickrama

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange

Employment UpdateCongratulations and continued success to the following:

Since August, 42 youth were placed into employment at an average wage of $12.69 per hour.

Stay up to date by following us at facebook.com/tallersanjose

Taller San Jose’s 2014 Light Up A Life gala

honored

Name Title Company Hourly Wage

Anabel Front Office Assistant Cal Choice $10.00

Arianna Registration St. Joseph Hospital $17.32 Representative

Bianca Medical Assistant Pacific Medical Clinic $10.00

Brenda Receptionist Ink Minded $11.00

Brenda Office Intern St. Joseph Health $ 9.50 Revenue Cycle Services

Brianda J. Registration St. Joseph Hospital $17.23 Representative

Carlos Laborer DEB Construction $14.00

Christian Legal Receptionist Yanez and Associates $10.00

Christian Laborer DEB Construction $14.00

Cristina Patient Registration St. Joseph Hospital $17.32

Erika Patient Care Comprehensive $13.00 Coordinator Care Solutions

Gabriela Administrative Hermandad Mexicana $ 9.00 Assistant

Gabrielle Medical Assistant Memorial Care $14.50 Medical Group

Guadalupe Office Intern St. Joseph Health $ 9.50 Revenue Cycle Services

Heydi Medical Assistant Health Care $12.98 Partners Clinic

Javier Helper Southern Fireplace $11.00 Distributors

Jessenia Registration St. Joseph Hospital $17.32 Representative

Jesus Site Lighting Helix Electric $11.00

Jonathan Stocker Strapper Nevell Group Inc. $10.00

Name Title Company Hourly Wage

Jonathan Crew Member Hope Builders $10.00

Jorge General Laborer Woodbridge Glass $10.00

Jose Stocker Strapper Nevell Group Inc. $10.00

Juan Laborer WAM Builders $13.00

Julian Mail Clerk Liberty Dental Plan $11.00

Julie Back Office Hurtt Family Clinic $12.00 Medical Assistant

Leanne Front Office Assistant Hoag Hospital $13.00

Mando Framer Golden State Framers $15.72

Maria Front Office Assistant Memorial Care $12.33 Medical Group

Maribel Call Center Associate Hurtt Family Clinic $14.00

Nadya General Office Clerk C&D Zodiac $11.00

Nora Front Office Assistant The Center for $13.00 Weight Loss

Rafael Jr. Installer Solar City $13.00

Raquel Health Clerk El Sol $14.50

Rodolfo Medical Records Clerk St. Joseph Heritage $12.80

Rogelio Laborer EarthCo $ 9.00

Roxana Medical Assistant Memorial Care $14.50 Medical Group

Ruby Member Services Liberty Dental Plan $13.00 Representative

Sarayne Call Center/ Share Our Selves $15.00 Front Office (SOS)

Shalom Call Center Associate Hurtt Family Clinic $14.00

Vernon Framer Golden State Framers $15.72

AGC Apprenticeship & Training Trust

Bridget FordCitivest, Inc.DeloitteFST Sand & GravelHanson Aggregates Insight Investments

JPMorgan ChaseLunday-Thagard Co.Pacific Western BankRay & Catherine SkeltonSARES-REGIS GroupTrench Shoring Company

Hensel Phelps PCL Construction Services, Inc.

PLATINUM

GOLD

Anaheim Ducks & Honda Center

Bergelectric CorporationThe Boeing CompanyBrady CompanyButler-Justice, Inc.The Conco CompaniesControl Air Conditioning

Corporation Critchfield Mechanical, Inc.Doy HenleyThe Frome Family

FoundationHealthcare Design &

ConstructionHelton Law GroupThe Innovation Institute

Jeff Randolph & Diane KochMcCarthy Building

Companies, Inc.MemorialCare Medical

FoundationMorley BuildersMurray CompanySt. Joseph HospitalSt. Jude Medical CenterSukut ConstructionTriage Consulting GroupWest Anaheim Medical

CenterWilliam & Helen CloseThe William & Nancy

Thompson Family Foundation

A.O. Reed & Co. Bragg Crane & Rigging

CompanyCommercial Surety Bond

Agency Convergent Revenue Cycle

Management

Instant Jungle Mission Hospital Morrow-Meadows

CorporationOutside the LinesThe PIMCO FoundationSouthland Industries

BRONZE

COPPER

SILVER

PREMIER

& the Carver Familywith the

Best of Friends award

Thank you to all our 2014 Light Up A Life corporate sponsors!

For information on next year’s sponsorship opportunities,

call Laura Palmer at (714) 543-5105, ext. 123.