growing tallerA quar ter ly newslet ter for supporters of Ta l ler San Jose

Meet Noe

Meet Amelia

Amigo Spotlight

Marilyn and Jim Harmon first heard about

taller San Jose when Jim was serving on the board of St. Joseph Hospital. in this role, he frequently crossed paths with taller San Jose’s founder, Sister eileen Mcnerney, and soon his wife joined her good friend, Mimi Cora, on the light Up a

life Committee. the Harmons attended the gala for the first time in 2007 and have returned year after year. their favorite part? the opportunity to meet graduates like oscar. “oscar has endured more hardship in his short life than both of us and we are three times his age,” recalls Jim. “You can tell oscar has a fire in him, he isn’t going to let this opportunity for a second chance pass him by.”

Jim and Marilyn urge potential donors to consider what their gift will support. taller San Jose’s selective job training programs teach discipline that goes well beyond 16 weeks. “we truly believe taller San Jose makes a difference in the lives of its students and their families,” says Jim. “they teach you everything from how to work to how to deal with people to how to be a good husband, wife and parent. You can’t get a better return on your investment than that.”

From bringing donated toys from their annual holiday party to volunteering their time, Jim and Marilynn are true amigos to taller San Jose.

Current Construction and Green Technology Academy internAge: 21 Family: 5-year old daughter

What were you doing before enrolling in Taller San Jose? i grew up in la Habra and got involved in a gang. i was arrested at 17 and spent the next four years in jail.

Have you ever had a job?Due to my record, the only job i have been able to get was part time at Kentucky Fried Chicken, earning minimum wage.

Do you have your high school diploma?Yes. when i was incarcerated, i kept myself busy by finishing my high school diploma, tutoring others who were trying to obtain their geD, and enrolling in a counseling course at Coastline Community College.

How did you find out about Taller San Jose? My brother is a graduate. i saw how he turned his life around and wanted to do the same for myself. i just want to get my life back on track.

What are your plans for the future? i want to graduate from taller San Jose and become a Carpenter.

2011 Graduate of Construction & Green Technology AcademyAge: 25 Current Position: Electrician Apprentice at Bergelectric Wage: $18.64/hour Health Benefits: Full (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k)

What have you been learning at Bergelectric?Since i started with Bergelectric in april 2011 i have been learning how to bend conduit, wire circuits and install lighting.

What do you like about working at Bergelectric? i love the friendly work environment, as well as the opportunities that i get to always learn and improve my skills.

Are you enrolled in an apprenticeship program?Yes, i am a third year apprentice in the associated Builders and Contractors apprenticeship program.

Have you achieved all Seven Steps to Success? almost. i am still working on finishing my high school diploma.

Any other accomplishments?Six months ago, i bought my own car from a local dealership.

FAll 2012

Jennifer Billing Clerk T-System Inc $10.00 Joanna Admin Support Global IT Resources $13.00 Coord Joanna Admin. Assistant Waste Management $13.00 Joel Shipping/Receiving Pro-Dex Inc $10.61Jorge Porter Western National $11.00 Group Jose laborer los Angeles $15.15 EngineeringJose Granite Installer Soul Contractors $12.00 Julie Insurance Agent Fred loya Insurance $16.00 Julio Packager Vertis $10.00 Communications Karen Customer Western Dental $10.00 Service Rep lizbet Personal Assistant Digital Watchdog $11.00 Michael laborer Matthew Curtis $12.00 Construction Miguel labor Apprentice Torres Construction $12.90 Nicholas labor Apprentice Torres Construction $15.15 Omar laborer PR Construction $10.00 - Orange Phillip low Voltage Pyro Systems $12.50 Apprentice Rosalba Customer Global Cash Cards $10.00 Service Rep Roxana File Clerk Deutsche Bank $11.00 Sonia Teller Wells Fargo Bank $11.00 Victor Restoration Tech Dry Force $14.00 Victor Data Entry Clerk US Best Repairs Inc $11.00

Everybody Needs an AmigoEach year, 200 young people enroll in Taller San Jose looking for a way out of their troubles. We are looking for an Amigo – a $1,000 scholarship sponsor – for each one of them. Here are just a few ways that Amigos helped Amelia and Noe:

• 16 weeks of hands-on training in the Construction Academy gave them marketable job skills

• Life skills workshops on healthy relationships helped them stengthen their families

• Weekly sessions with a case manager helped them keep on track with their goals like getting a valid driver’s license and finding employment

To sponsor a $1,000 Amigo scholarship, please call (714) 543-5105 ext. 121 or visit www.tallersanjose.org

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

Goal: 200Student Sponsors

103Student Sponsors

as of November 2012

Employer Highlight

Hope Builders

Dear Friends,

During all the end of the year family gatherings, celebrations, and preparations, it’s easy to forget for a moment how important our employment is in allowing us the opportunity to enjoy these blessed days. For the young men and women knocking on taller San Jose’s door a good job and the stability it promises is all they can often think about.

More than ever, a job has the power to change the path of a young life from one of hopelessness to prosperity. each year, taller San Jose serves as a beacon of hope to more than 200 young people with significant obstacles to being good employees. in the stories of noe and amelia, you see represented the faces of numerous taller San Jose students for whom a job has proven the most powerful tool for stabilizing their young lives.

through your generous support, taller San Jose gives young men and women the skills to get a job and the support to keep it. as we all enjoy the festivities of this time of year, it is my hope that you will know how profoundly your contribution makes a difference.

Gratefully,

Shawna Smith, CEO/Executive Director

In September 2012 wells Fargo Bank partnered with taller San Jose to help its students develop on-the-job work

experience and augment their skills. wells Fargo launched a paid, 17-week internship program for three graduates of taller San Jose’s office Careers academy. Mayra Martinez is the first Community relations intern who is working at the Bank’s corporate office. She is responsible for routine administrative tasks, including making travel arrangements and distributing mail; producing routine documents and reports using word processing and spreadsheet software; performing routine data entry operations; and, answering and directing phone calls.

“the partnership between taller San Jose and wells Fargo has been a win for all involved. Mayra has been a tremendous help

to me and my colleagues in Marketing and Communications. through the internship, she has had the opportunity to apply what she has learned through taller San Jose in a real world experience while learning new skills along the way.” Jack toan, VP, Community affairs Manager, Community relations.

Contemplating new construction or a remodeling project? Check out the new website of taller San Jose’s

general contracting company Hope Builders, inc. (www.hope-build.com), which details the company’s full line of services, ranging from home construction and general contracting to renovation and rehabilitation.

Hope Builders hires graduates of taller San Jose’s Construction academy and provides services throughout Southern California. this past year Hope Builders worked on 40 different projects and created 19 jobs for taller San Jose graduates.

Hope Builders has transitioned four of these graduates to prevailing wage jobs with Portrait Homes. one of these young men is Manny tapia, who graduated from taller San Jose’s Construction academy in 2008 and was hired by Hope Builders in 2011. During his year with the company, Manny worked alongside building industry professionals and gained on-the-job experience in demolition, plumbing, electrical, painting, flooring, fixtures and cabinetry. Because of his reputation as a reliable, hardworking employee, Hope Builders referred Manny to a job at Portrait Homes, where he is currently working full time as a Drywall laborer, earning $30 per hour. “this is one of the goals of Hope Builders,” says John raya, Director of Business Development, “…to better position our employees for permanent employment

beyond entry level in the building industry.” over the next three years, Hope Builders expects to grow its field crew to 28 taller San Jose graduates.

For more information about Hope Builders, or to get a bid on an upcoming home improvement project, contact John raya, Director of Business Development at 714-542-2129, ext. 209.

Greetings from Shawna Smith

Get Involved

Partner Highlight

I am wondering if you might be willing to put taller San Jose on your Christmas list? i think that the most significant gift that our young people can receive is solid workforce training with a job to follow – and this is a gift that keeps on giving into the future. if one of your personal or family values is to help another at Christmas,

i urge you, in the name of Jesus, to make a contribution to our mission at this time. Chronic crushing poverty is ugly and very often generational. taller San Jose’s graduates have a significant opportunity to break that cycle for themselves and for their children. Your generosity matters more than you may know. whatever you can give—either through an outright gift, or by remembering taller San Jose in your will or living trust—i surround you with my grateful prayers.

For more information about the Sister Eileen Legacy Society, please contact Christa Sheehan at 714-543-5105, x112.

Intrigued by the display of hand-carved benches, Jon gothold wandered into taller San Jose one day in 2001. He

met taller San Jose’s founder, Sister eileen Mcnerney, and some of the young men and women who were training as craftsmen. a long-standing relationship followed.

Jon gothold is one of the partners of DgwB advertising and Communication in

Santa ana. Since that meeting 11 years ago, Jon and his colleagues have produced a dozen videos highlighting taller San Jose students and their stories for the annual light Up a life gala. Jon and his team have also helped taller San Jose brand itself and become better known in the community through

the design of marketing pieces, including brochures, a website and logo. as a gift for taller’s 15th anniversary, DgwB convinced its colleagues in the advertising world—including High impact Pictures, Pfinix Studios, an ideal world, Peligro Music, Stewart Sound and lowrider tattoos—to create two Public Service announcements, in addition to securing airtime on a variety of local television stations.

“taller San Jose has been the most inspiring charity organization i have ever had the privilege to know” said Mr. gothold. “a lot of organizations are very good at identifying various ills in society. not very many of them have been so effective in coming up with creative, unexpected ways to tackle the problems. taller San Jose has an incredible success rate with the young people they have walked out of poverty. i hope someday their methods will be recognized and replicated on a national scale.”

taller San Jose is grateful to DgwB advertising and Communication for helping to expand awareness about the work that it does to give impoverished youth in orange County skills to find and keep employment.

You can help build futures at Taller San Jose by getting involved. Here are just a few ways you can help:

Volunteer Help a young person advance their business skills by volunteering as a Mock interviewer; or, join the Planning Committee and help organize our 17th annual light Up a life gala in 2013. For more information, contact laura Palmer at (714) 543-5105 ext. 123.

Hire a Graduateif your company is seeking trained and reliable candidates, consider hiring a taller

San Jose graduate as your next employee. For more information, contact Meghan Medlin, employment Services Manager, at (714) 543-5105 ext. 138.

DonateSponsor a $1,000 amigo Scholarship, make a gift in honor of someone special, or ask about your company’s matching gift program. any amount that you can generously give will help change a life at taller San Jose. to make a gift, contact abigail Castillo at (714) 543-5105 ext. 121.

Attend Taller San Jose WORKS

get an insider’s tour of the organization – walk through taller San Jose’s 10,000 square foot warehouse, step into a mock medical office, learn about our 7 Steps to Success, and more.

Upcoming tour Dates:

• January 8, 1:00 pm

• February 12, 8:30 am

• March 12, 1:00 pm

to rSVP for a monthly tour, or set up a private tour (taller San Jose can also visit your corporate offices), contact laura Palmer at (714) 543-5105 ext.123.

Sister Eileen Legacy Society

Taller San Jose Board of Directors - Jeffrey Randolph, Board Chair, Shawna Smith, CEO/Executive Director,

Alex Fortunati, Dolores Gonzalez-Hayes, Richard Heim, Tom Honan, Christopher Leo, Sister Eileen McNerney, CSJ, Katie Rodin,

Katie Skelton, Larry Stofko, George Urch, Angela Wergechik, Kevin Wijayawickrama

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange

student employment updateCongratulations and Continued Success to the following:

PresortedStandard

U S PostagePaid

Permit #113Covina, CA

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

Find us on Facebook!

www.facebook.com/tallersanjose

4

Thank You!

Premier

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Copper

AGC Apprenticeship TrustFirst American Financial CorporationInsight Investments, LLCJPMorgan ChaseMission HospitalParadise Design

Ray & Catherine SkeltonSARES-REGIS GroupSt. Joseph Heritage HealthcareSt. Joseph HospitalSt. Jude Medical CenterTait & Associates

DELOITTE Hensel Phelps Construction Co.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.Wells Fargo Bank

Dan & Leslee Young

Anaheim Ducks & Honda CenterBeecher Carlson Insurance ServicesThe Boeing FoundationCitivest, Inc.CHOCThe Conco CompaniesThe Frome Family FoundationThe Innovation InstituteJezowski & Markel/Marne Construction

MemorialCare Medical FoundationMorley Construction CompanyMurray CompanyNational American UniversityThe Orange County RegisterOrtiz Enterprises Inc.PCL Construction Services, Inc.PDC Facilities, Inc.The PIMCO FoundationSukut Construction, Inc.

Mission • St. Joseph • St. Jude • St. Mary

A.O. Reed & Co.Avadyne HealthBergelectric CorporationCommercial Surety Bond AgencyConvergent Revenue Cycle ManagementFirst Bank

Helix ElectricMorrow-Meadows CorporationPacific Rim Mechanical Contractors, Inc.Premier Nursing ServicesWestways Staffing Services, Inc.Woodbridge Glass

On September 22, 2012,

Taller San Jose hosted more

than 500 guests at its 16th

Annual Light Up A Life gala,

raising over $500,000 in net

proceeds. Taller San Jose

awarded Mission Hospital, St.

Joseph Heritage Healthcare,

St. Joseph Hospital and St.

Jude Medical Center with this

year’s Best of Friends award. Taller San Jose is

grateful to all who supported the 16th Annual

Light Up A Life gala and would like to recognize

the generosity of event sponsors:

Amanda Customer Service Fix Auto $10.00 Amefil Data Entry Deutsche Bank $11.00 Armand Labor Apprentice Associated General $20.42 Contractors (AGC) Bertha Medical Assistant Orange Coast Urology $14.50 Casey Production Go Ventures $10.00 Assistant Charlie Laborer Wood’s Construction $10.00 Christina Loan Processor Nurion Law $13.12 Connection Claudia Receptionist Bright Star Speech $12.00 & Language Cristina New Loss Taker Freedom National $10.00 Insurance Daisy Accounting Clerk Gallade Chemical $15.00 Daniel Billing Clerk T-System Inc $12.50 Denise Data Entry Deutsche Bank $11.00 Edwin Customer Services Global Cash Cards $12.00 Enrique Laborer IWC International $10.00 Wall and Ceiling Erick Installer Real Good Solar $13.00 Fanibel Medical Assistant Talbert Medical Group $13.00 Gabriela Receptionist Law Offices of $10.00 Winters and Banks Gerardo Medical Assistant Newport Doctors $12.00 Medical Group Gladys Medical Assistant Pacific Medical Clinic $10.00 Gonzalo Electrical Assistant Dean’s Electric $15.00 Guadalupe Phlebotomist Quest Diagnostics $14.00 Isaias Sander Color Baux $10.00

Name Title Company Wage per Hour Name Title Company Wage per Hour

Jennifer Billing Clerk T-System Inc $10.00 Joanna Admin Support Global IT Resources $13.00 Coord Joanna Admin. Assistant Waste Management $13.00 Joel Shipping/Receiving Pro-Dex Inc $10.61Jorge Porter Western National $11.00 Group Jose Laborer Los Angeles $15.15 EngineeringJose Granite Installer Soul Contractors $12.00 Julie Insurance Agent Fred Loya Insurance $16.00 Julio Packager Vertis $10.00 Communications Karen Customer Western Dental $10.00 Service Rep Lizbet Personal Assistant Digital Watchdog $11.00 Michael Laborer Matthew Curtis $12.00 Construction Miguel Labor Apprentice Torres Construction $12.90 Nicholas Labor Apprentice Torres Construction $15.15 Omar Laborer PR Construction $10.00 - Orange Phillip Low Voltage Pyro Systems $12.50 Apprentice Rosalba Customer Global Cash Cards $10.00 Service Rep Roxana File Clerk Deutsche Bank $11.00 Sonia Teller Wells Fargo Bank $11.00 Victor Restoration Tech Dry Force $14.00 Victor Data Entry Clerk US Best Repairs Inc $11.00