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The “Spark” in SparkPoint

July 26, 2010 By Maria Stokes Leave a Comment

Oakland resident Jackie B. came to SparkPoint Oakland Center in January after seeing an ABC-7 news segment about SparkPoint. After being unemployed for two years, Jackie hoped SparkPoint could help with her job search.

SparkPoint career coach Lloyd Williams worked with Jackie to refresh her job-search strategies. Lloyd is an employee of the Workforce Collaborative, one of five organizations that work together to deliver services at SparkPoint Oakland Center. Jackie and Lloyd met regularly to talk about Jackie’s goals and her job search. She credits Lloyd with being the “spark” that helped her stay motivated.

“SparkPoint gave me the inspiration I needed to keep going and not give up,” said Jackie. “They look out for you and help you like family. There’s a lot of love here.”

In early May, Jackie secured a full-time position, with benefits, as a customer service representative at the Oakland Marina. She says she loves her new job.

Learn more about SparkPoint.

Filed Under: Road to Recovery Tagged With: Alameda, Bay Area, Income, SparkPoint, success story, United Way

SparkPoint Featured on Front Page of SF Chronicle

July 26, 2010 By Maria Stokes Leave a Comment

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United Way’s SparkPoint Centers are featured on the front page of today’s San Francisco Chronicle.

“United Way Centers offer credit, career advice”

Janeise Ollison’s eyes lit up as she described how she was advised to fix her credit and boost her savings.

“It was real simple; I paid one little PG&E bill for like $35 from two or three years ago, and my credit score jumped,” she said. “And the check-cashing place had been ripping me off; at least $50 of my monthly checks went to them. That’s money that could be in my pocket.”

The 24-year-old mother of two, who has worked as a security guard and bus operator, got even more buoyant discussing the career counseling that led her to study culinary arts and restaurant management, and to develop a plan to start a catering business with her mother.

Ollison got all that guidance from the SparkPoint Center in Oakland, a new concept being pioneered by United Way of the Bay Area to help working families build financial stability. It’s a one-stop shop that brings together multiple agencies and counselors to help low-income people improve their credit, build their assets and increase their income.

Read the entire article.

Filed Under: Pathways out of Poverty Tagged With: Alameda, employment, Income, media coverage, SparkPoint, success story

SparkPoint Oakland Center Celebrates 300th Client

June 24, 2010 By Maria Stokes Leave a Comment

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United Way’s SparkPoint Oakland Center recently served its 300th client. To celebrate their success, SparkPoint staff, volunteers and clients gathered at the Center for an evening of food and fun. Click below to see a photo slide show from the celebration.

This exclusive event was especially for SparkPoint members – clients who have utilized at least two services at the Center. For all clients, SparkPoint strongly encourages taking advantage of multiple services, since clients who use at least two services are three times more likely to achieve a financial goal than clients who use only one.

SparkPoint also provides all members with a personal coach to help clients set and achieve long-term financial goals. The coaches serve as financial advisors, providing a personalized connection to services, as well as the guidance and support members need to achieve long-term goals.

Learn more about SparkPoint here.