United Way of the Bay Area Blog
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RYSE Center, a United Way grantee, is a safe and welcoming place for West Contra Costa County youth, that is building and empowering the next generation. They have a number of programs based around social justice, harm reduction, and youth leadership. The organization was born out of the community response to a particularly violent incident in 2000. Their website is packed full of goodies including this video.
In their latest newsletter, MatchBridge Executive Director Emily Linaman urges San Francisco business professionals to “Pay It Forward” by supporting and mentoring youth. We’ve posted her message in full below. In the video, Emily explains in her own words what inspires her and offers advice to young job seekers.
As we enter yet another holiday season, I reflect on how much we have to be thankful for here at MatchBridge. Despite a very challenging recession, so many generous and caring employers have stepped up this year to offer their support to the youth we serve. This past summer, MatchBridge placed over 200 youth into summer employment and paid internships though the generous support of employers and community partners like you.
Many employers generously gave their time and energy through volunteering with MatchBridge at various job-readiness events; such as BRE Properties, whose CEO Connie Moore told an awe-inspiring story of her own incredible journey toward her eventual rise to CEO of one of the top property management companies in the City. Wells Fargo coached our youth on the importance of financial responsibility and savings, a training well received by both youth and staff!
As we think about the many gifts we have to be thankful for, I invite you to think about your first job: who opened the door for you? Who helped you with your resume and coached you on the job interview? My guess is that the mentoring and coaching you received carved the pathway toward the current success you enjoy today in the workplace and your career. My guess is that there are a couple of key folks who come to mind as you recall the coaching, support and encouragement you needed to help you learn right from wrong, to set career goals and to increase your confidence as you entered the workforce in your early adult years.
Today you have earned the opportunity to pay it forward- to give back the coaching, support and encouragement that all youth require to succeed in college and careers. As you make your holiday shopping list this year, please consider the gift of sponsoring a youth in a 2010 summer internship in the industry of their choice.
The gift of sponsorship provides a youth a living wage for a six-week internship this summer, plus the support of weekly professional development training, provided by MatchBridge staff. Professional development focuses on job readiness basics- such as resumes, cover letters and interview preparation- as well as industry-specific curriculum, education and career goal setting, and other skills critical to succeeding in today’s complex workforce. I hope you will lend your support as we build the future workforce of San Francisco.
I encourage you to check out our website, where you can learn more about ways you can sponsor a youth and pay it forward. Happy Holidays to you and thank you again for your support of MatchBridge. Your investment in the youth of today will surely make a lasting impact that will pay dividends for a lifetime.
For more information, please visit our website at www.matchbridge.org or contact Emily Linaman, Executive Director, at (415) 808-4313 or at elinaman@uwba.org.
Cerina Byrd was able to go from seasonal employment to a full time position
This month, United Way community project MatchBridge kicks off its second annual Seasonal Job Fair series. Top retailers – including Best Buy, TJ Maxx, Gap, Old Navy, and several others – will partner with MatchBridge to meet their hiring needs for the holiday season.
MatchBridge members, who are youth between the ages of 16 and 21, will have an opportunity to meet with the employers and apply for these retail job opportunities. As many as 25-50 young people will be hired during what is traditionally the busiest time for these stores.
Between 25% and 50% of total annual retail sales take place during the holidays, and retail employers usually increase their workforce by 4% or more just for the holiday gift-buying rush.
These positions tend to be a great fit for younger workers, since many are home for the holidays from college, so the time-commitment is a perfect fit. Young people also bring great energy to these retailers, which is essential during the busy holiday season. Many retailers value the Seasonal Job Fair because it connects employers to pre-screened candidates, who are qualified and well-equipped to take advantage of these opportunities.
Some of these retail opportunities can lead to much bigger things. Two years ago Cerina Byrd, a MatchBridge member, connected with Macy’s during a Seasonal Job Fair. She has since graduated from the MatchBridge program and is now a full-time recruiter for the downtown Macy’s human resources department and has been thriving there for the past two years.
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