P.O.W.E.R. Collaborative Network
Meeting Summary
May 13, 2009The POWER Collaborative Network (PCN) received a five-star reception at the May 2009, tremendously hosted by the United States Veteran’s Initiative (U.S.VETS) in Inglewood, CA. The U.S.VETS is the largest non-profit provider of services for homeless and at-risk veterans in the country. The month of May allowed the PCN members at this meeting gave everyone the opportunity to pause and honor past and present US military personnel in their respective service to our nation.
The PCN extends high appreciation to Mr. Ivan Mason, the U.S.VETS site manager for ensuring the hosting of the program went together so impressive at the Inglewood complex. Mr. Mason can be reached by email at imason@usvetsinc.org. In addition, the PCN wishes to thank Bridgett Cruz for coordinating the meeting site, and she can reached be email at bleibelt@usvets.org
The U.S.VETS CEO Dwight Radcliff acknowledged all of the PCN members present who served in the US armed forces. From the land, sea, and air, every branch of the military was represented from Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Mr. Radcliff reminded the PCN members that all military personnel serve and give some, and there are those we remember today who gave ALL. This is why he finds his work so important for proving veterans housing, employment assistance, counseling, and hope for those that have defended our nation. The Inglewood complex is part of 11 facilities that the U.S.VETS operates including Compton - Long Beach - Los Angeles - Riverside, CA, Prescott, - Phoenix, AZ, Houston, TX, Las Vegas, NV, Kapolei HI, and Washington DC.
Mr. Radcliff made an astonishing presentation to the PCN, where Dean Jones accepted for the work and community leadership building PCN has accomplished over the past eight years. It is a handsome desk plague and the inscription reads as follows: Spirit of a Leader § A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. They do not set out to be a leader, but become one by the quality of their action and the integrity of his/her intent. Leaders, like Eagles, do not flock. You find them one at a time. §
Greg McCormack, U.S.VETS, site manager for the Long Beach, Villages at Cabrillo, provided a brief overview on the programs designed to provide stability and foster the work and life skills necessary for every veteran to become productive and successful citizens. Mr. McCormack can be reached by email at: gmccromack@usvetsinc.org
Katherine Gibbs, US Vets, Workforce Manager, elevates the U.S.VETS clients with a variety of employment and career assistance services including job counseling, job training and job referrals. Computers, phone banks, and fax machines are also available to veterans seeking employment. Ms. Gibbs can be reached by email at kgibbs@usvets.org
Anthony Johnson, job developer for U.S.VETS presented with Ms. Gibbs on additional field work necessary to locate companies in the position to recruit their clients. The scope of services is large and the State of California Employment Development Department-Inglewood augments U.S.VETS assisting with assessment, fatherhood programs, and permanent housing and life skills. Mr. Johnson can be reached by email at abjohnson@usvets.org
John Scott, Program Coordinator with U.S.VETS gave an outstanding overview on the post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) some veterans suffer from when separated from military duty. U.S.VETS is able to offer a decompression phase for veterans to build a psychiatric support for their clients. Then, the client can better take advantage of the education and work programs that are made available for the veteran. There is a huge advantage to hiring a veteran as like their mission to service trained them it has full adaptation to business which is to be an effective team player and to work well with others.
Mrs. Winifred Allen, CEO of the Gramercy Housing Group for Single Mothers graciously shared how their program is working to reduce family homelessness by providing service enriched affordable housing to assist young families in transitioning to their own permanent homes. It was founded in 1992, and began as a volunteer organization composed of a group of social workers and child advocates who envisioned a safe, nurturing environment for young families. They now served over 135 homeless families, providing them with transitional affordable housing and support services including counseling, case management, on site childcare, job training and education referrals, parenting classes and a variety of on-going enrichment opportunities. Ms. Allen’s office number is (323) 737-7351, or for more information visits the Gramercy Housing Group web site at: gramercyhousinggroup.org
Dorothy Lee, a volunteer of Gramercy Housing Group shared some tips for recognizing signs of Domestic Violence that spills over into the workplace. There is no typical perpetrator. Batterers come from all socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, age, and employment groups. However, they often share some of the following characteristics and Warning Signs for Domestic Violence, such as Intrusion, Isolation, Possession and Jealousy, Need for Control, Unknown Past/ No Respect for Women/Men. There are Six Pillars of Character that are look at in the work place; Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Justice and Fairness, Caring, and Civic Virtue & Citizenship. Ms. Lee can be reached by email at DJL90601@yahoo.com
Dean Jones, CEO, Southland Partnership Corporation, reminded PCN members on the value each job developer brings to improving the quality of life for so many. Although, most programs do not recognize referrals to other agencies as a paid part of the program the collaborative plays a vital role with ensuing that no ones ever falls between the cracks of gaining the right level service. Referrals are but a phone call always since the PCN is a complete network of services. He emphasized that the sharing of job/training opportunities provide a valuable community service and a positive socioeconomic impact for everyone living and working in the Southern CA region.
To that extent, he reminded everyone to take advantage of the no-cost community job announcement web site, www.ISartOnMonday.com for a complete resource of job, training, seminars, conferences, health, and other human services to this Internet sensation. This community service program is part of the non-profit public benefits provided by the Southland Partnership Corporation, [Federal I.D. #91-2167324], which enhances the PCN member’s ability to extend opportunities to a much broader base of job seekers and employers, in order to better reach and meet the needs of all southern California organizations and businesses. This technology tool is receiving over 150,000 site visitors each month. Mr. Jones’ office number is (310) 637-7248, or email POWERSOLA@aol.com
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The next PCN meeting is Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 10 AM – Noon, hosted by City of Carson’s Career Center at the Carson Community Center, 801 East Carson Street, Carson, CA 90745, Charlotte Callegari, ccallega@carson.ca.us
Meeting Attendees for May 2009
Adam Feldman, The Green Hive
Anita Wallace, Los Angeles Urban League
Anthony Johnson, US Vets
Arecelia Sandoval, Personal Involvement Center, Inc. – Healthy Marriage
Ariel Lewis, STRIVE
Armida Avila, wHealthy Living
Barbara Lynn, Personal Involvement Center, Inc. – Healthy Marriage
Bernadette Graham, Los Angeles Unified School District
Billy Williams, Los Angeles Urban League – West Adams Worksource
Bridgette Cruz, US Vets
Carolyn Christian Hines, Hines Hospitality
Carolyn Richie-Jamison, Los Angeles Unified School District – Adult Education
Cathy Lee, Reality House II
Charles Jackson, City Pride Magazine
Clarence Espinosa, Los Angeles World Airports
Coledias Wilson, Path Ventures
Dean Jones, Southland Partnership Corporation / P.O.W.E.R. Collaborative Network
Deborah Deras, PV Jobs
Deidra Vandiegriff, New Directions, Inc.
Delores Frisby, Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County
Dennis Stovall, Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County
Deserine Estrada, Los Angeles Unified School District
Dorothy Lee, BTT & Gramercy Housing Group
Duffy Leahy, Volunteers of America
Dwayne Price, Los Angeles Urban League
Dwight Radcliff, US Vets
Elainea Robbins, Los Angeles Urban League
Erick Cerda, Los Angeles County Probation
Ernest Melendrez, Skid Row Development Corporation (SRDC)
Gaby Cortez, Agile1
Gail Coyne, East Los Angeles College
Gene Persip, Community Build, Inc.
Gilbert Lawrence, People’s Resources International Services Corporation
Gina Hernandez, Dental Care Westchester
Greg McCormick, U.S. Vets, Inc.
Hyo-Mi Pak, US Vets
Ivan Mason, US Vets
James Jones, Gangsters for Christ
Janaya Thomas, Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County
Jeanette Magee, El Camino College
Jennifer Frank, Mentors International
John Scott, US Vets
Jonae Watts, Los Angeles OIC
Joseph Rouzan, City of Los Angeles Community Development Department
Joy Tsuhako, Social Security Administration
Juanda Honoré, Ardyss International
Karen Robinson, Allstate Workforce & Creative Marketing
Katherine Gibbs, US Vets
Katie Wong, Los Angeles Unified School District – Classified Recruitment
Keith Blackwell, STRIVE - Skid Row Development Corporation
Ken Kamara, Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation
Ketren Williams-Tolbert, Karing With Tenderness Child Care (24 Hours)
Kevin Campbell, Skid Row Development Corporation
Kevin Kincey, U.S. Vets
Kidadda Curtis, Agile1
Lanette Ramirez, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services
LaVerne Daniels, State of CA, Employment Development Department
Lily Tabafunda, People’s Resources International Services Corporation
Lisa Fitch, PV Jobs
Luis Barrera-Castañón, Para Los Niños
Lynette Johnson, GNMS Community Development Group
Maryd Miller, City of Los Angeles Youth Opportunity Movement, Boyle Heights
Michael Bennett, Los Angeles Urban League
Michelle Arthur, El Camino College – Inglewood Center
Milton Lopez, Allstate Workforce
Mindy Owes, Resources Advancing Family Transitions (R.A.F.T.), Inc.
Monique Lynch
Officer Cleon Joseph, Los Angeles Police Department
Pat Atitebi, Lutheran Social Services Community Care Center
Portia Smith, State of CA, Employment Development Department-Inglewood
Randy Brambila, Los Angeles County Office of Education
Ripsime Markaryan, MCS Rehabilitation - Hollywood
Robert Hamm, Los Angeles Unified School District
Roderick Elzy, Great Beginnings for Black Babies
Rosa Clark, PM & VR Veterans
Sal Barajas, Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County
Sharon Mitchell
Shauna Leon, J.O.B.S. Program
Shoshana McCallum, Media and Communications
Silva Mirzoian, Passions & Dreams For Success
Stan Rock, US Vets
Stephen Swearingen
Stephen Thompson, Los Angeles OIC
Veronica Mendoza, Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County
Veronica Martin, Allstate Insurance Workplace
Wendy Delgado, Dental Care Westchester
Winifred Allen, Gramercy Housing Group
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PCN started in January 2001, focused on job coordination for community residents in order to assist in public & private sector work placement. The PCN members are community builders serving to identify, nurture, & mobilize local assets by enhanced networking to rejuvenate economies, strengthen business investments, & ultimately build up civil society. The PCN meets monthly sharing job recruitment, funding, training, workforce projects, & other related topics at various member locations.
P.O.W.E.R. - Partnership Opportunities With Economic/Educational Resources