Elizabeth, Wilma, Mori and Corrine pose with facilitators Kathy and Joan after graduating from the Workforce Development Program at St. Vincent de Paul.
On October 29, St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County proudly celebrated the graduation of five participants from its Workforce Development Program: Mori, Wilma, Fernando, Corrine and Elizabeth.
It was a day full of joy, pride, and happy tears as the graduates gathered with their mentors and fellow classmates to celebrate months of hard work. Throughout the ceremony, everyone shared favorite memories from the program and expressed their joy in seeing their friends, classmates, and mentees graduate.
Finding steady work can be difficult for people facing major barriers to employment, whether from a history of incarceration or other life challenges. The Workforce Development Program at St. Vincent de Paul is built to help neighbors overcome those hurdles. The paid, 26-week program combines part-time work with paid classroom instruction and one-on-one time with community mentors. Together, this training and support give participants the practical skills they need to find and keep a good job.
Workforce Development Program Coordinator Monica Perez shared how inspiring it has been to watch Mori, Wilma, Corrine, Fernando and Elizabeth work toward their goals from day one.
“When everyone first walked through our doors, they each brought their own story, dreams, and challenges. Some of them came with uncertainty, or looking for a second chance. But no matter where they started, they refused to give up. We’ve watched them grow in confidence, develop new skills and discover strengths they may not have realized they had. We are cheering for them all wherever their journey takes them,” Monica said.
A key part of the program is the close bond that forms between participants and their mentors. During the graduation ceremony, the mentors spoke proudly about how much confidence and skill each graduate built over the past 26 weeks.
For Elizabeth, the program offered a welcoming space where she could find her voice and let her personality shine.
“Elizabeth was a shy bud when she first started. I would ask her a question and get a one-word answer. But over these weeks I’ve really gotten to know her and see her bloom into a wonderful flower. It has been a wonderful journey to walk with Elizabeth through this program. I think she has a lot to offer her future employers,” SVdP Vincentian and WFD Mentor Audry Gonsalvez said.
Wilma also made big strides during her time in the program. After mastering customer service and store operations on the job, she is now continuing her education and working toward starting her own business.
“Wilma came into the program afraid to speak out or even use the cash register. But now she is not only handling upset customers, she’s signed up for classes at the community college and is planning a small business. I couldn’t be more proud,” WFD Facilitator and Mentor Joan Alber said.
SVdP Vincentian and Workforce Development Facilitator Kathy Dasso also shared warm praise for Mori, noting that his hard work and positive attitude have set him up for a bright future.
“Mori has been such an amazing participant, watching him grow over the course of this program has been wonderful. I know he is going to be able to do whatever he wants to do now,” Kathy said.
Mori, Wilma, Corrine, Fernando, and Elizabeth leave the program with hands-on job experience, valuable workplace skills, and a supportive community having their back. Everyone at St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County congratulates our newest graduates and wishes them the very best as they begin their next chapter.
This cycle also saw an early graduate, with one participant, Brooke, finding full-time employment before the end of the program.
