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Impact Report

For plan Financial Security for All (Valencia County)
Date October 29, 2010, 2:07 am
For Objective Short-term Show short-term objectives
Impact Report FINANCIAL and RESOURCE MANAGEMENT The economic stability of Valencia County is built upon the financial stability of each individual and family. This, in turn, depends on educational attainment, availability of jobs, knowledge on how to acquire and maintain those jobs and each individual’s financial practices. Within this year, the unemployment rate in Valencia County was over 10%. The difficulty in acquiring employment in a tight job market is magnified when you are an individual lacking education, experience and opportunity. The objectives of some of the financial and resource management programs include increasing the knowledge of successful job locating, acquiring and maintaining in order to achieve financial resources to manage and sustain as well as successful utilization and creativity in managing the resources currently available within the home. FOOT IN THE DOOR…Job Seeking Skills Program Within the past reporting year, 103 women and 63 men participated in the week long “Foot in the Door” job seeking skills program presented by the Home Economist. The purposes of the program are to increase knowledge of locating available job openings, completing applications, writing a professional resume, interviewing techniques, developing or improving upon the skills needed to maintain employment and identifying agencies and government programs which aid job seekers. Of the 166 participants, over 85% have the additional challenge of having a felony record. Throughout the program, participants complete interest and skills surveys to determine potential employment interests and abilities, develop an understanding of financial wants vs. needs and set goals related to searching for and obtaining employment, increasing their education and improving their financial situation. The hands-on application completion and evaluation and mock interview trainings give participants a “real-life” practice to develop and improve upon their self-presentation skills. Currently, female participants are also provided with interview appropriate clothing, shoes, accessories and cosmetics if they are lacking resources to obtain on their own. The clothing is provided through donations from members of EANM (who have selected this program as their service project for this year) and community members who are aware of the Foot in the Door program. After immediate completion of the program, 85% of participants reported that they were more aware of how to successfully complete a job application. Over 75% reported a greater understanding and awareness of the programs available to assist job seekers (particularly government programs to aid individuals with felony records ex. Federal Bonding Program). Eighty-five percent of participants had developed a professional resume and summary statement which they could use when job seeking. Over 90% reported that they had improved their interviewing techniques and had “greatly” benefited from the mock interviewing experience. Over 95% had set a goal regarding their financial behaviors. According to the class evaluation completed after the last session with participants, 96% found the material to be “very useful” and 92% felt they had learned things that would help them with their job search. Participant comments regarding the program include: • “I CAN’T WAIT to begin my job search (after completion of a rehabilitation program)!!! I feel so much more prepared and confident about my ability to find a job now!” • “Thank you for providing this class to all of us! You’ve provided us with SO much information in such a short period of time but I know…I KNOW I can do this!” • “I had no idea I’ve been filling out applications wrong. I never knew how I was supposed to talk about my past. Thanks for showing me how to present myself better for work. • “I know the life I want for me and my kids. With the stuff I learned, I believe I can have that life the right way.” • “Prior to my spiral into addiction, I was an HR specialist for a major company. What you are teaching is real and right. You know your stuff and I thank you for passing this info on to others.” CREATIVE CRAFTING ON A BUDGET WORKSHOPS Nine creative crafting classes were offered to a total of 93 participants at the Women’s Recovery Academy and El Cerro Mission Community Center Conversational ESL classes with the objective of encouraging the development of homemaking skills on a limited budget. Classes included, Simple Snack and Candy Making, Holiday Card Stamping, Bean Bag Warmers and Dream Box Gifts. Participants were provided with supplies and informed as to the actual cost of the supplies (all VERY reasonable), directions and encouragement. Discussion was focused on cost per serving, ingredient substitutions, different uses for completed craft projects and ideas for gearing crafts to kids. MARKETING AT THE FARMER’S MARKET WORKSHOPS The Home Economist presented two workshops to a total of 53 farmers’ market vendors on marketing techniques, value-added products, merchandising, sales and customer service at a Farmers’ Market Workshop provided by the Valencia County Ag Agent and during a Farmers’ Market general meeting. The presentations provided participants with information and tools to better improve their marketing and eventually positively impact their sales at the local Farmers’ Markets. Additionally, participants were able to view affordable mock displays that could be duplicated with their own produce at the farmers’ markets.