MatchBridge Gears Up for Summer

MatchBridge, United Way’s program that helps local youth find private-sector jobs, is getting ready for the summer hiring season, working hard to recruit both employers and new youth members.

Last year, our program matched 184 youth with jobs and paid internships at 58 Bay Area companies. 

Here’s what employers are saying about MatchBridge:

“While it has been challenging to assign, teach and monitor the interns’ efforts and progress, it has been very productive and well worth our time. All of the interns have been a pleasure to work with, and their enthusiasm and acumen has been very encouraging, allowing us to provide business-critical assignments.” – Virginia Meade of the Bohan Company

Click to learn more about how MatchBridge can help your company find qualified youth workers.

Here’s what youth members are saying about MatchBridge:

“Hello, my name is Borana. I am a member of MatchBridge, and i LOVE it… They have helped me alot. MatchBridge always sends me emails about companies that are hiring. I remember when I first signed up with MatchBridge, I was unemployed, and a week later I had a job! THANKS MATCHBRIDGE for all your help. Keep up the good work!”

Looking for a summer job or internship?  Sign up today as a MatchBridge member!

Find Summer Camps for Kids: Call 211

Summer is almost here!  Parents and caregivers can call 211 to obtain information about summer programs for kids throughout the Bay Area, including day camps, residential camps and therapeutic camps for children with disabilities or specific health conditions. 

211 can also connect parents and caregivers with information about youth employment and internship programs, volunteer opportunities, and child-care resources to keep children safe, busy and productive this summer.

Residents who can’t dial 211 can call 800-273-6222 to reach the 211 call center in their area.  For the hearing impaired, dial 415-808-4440 (TTY) or 711. 

Learn more about 211 at www.211BayArea.org.

Photo courtesy of Mike Baird via Creative Commons license.

SparkPoint Featured on Front Page of SF Chronicle

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.