The P.O.W.E.R. Collaborative Network (PCN), a provider of human resources outreach connectivity, assembled for the November 2006 meeting. The host site was the well managed State of California Employment Development Department at 54th and Crenshaw in Los Angeles for the November meeting. Our hosts, Gloria Smith and Portia Smith were great to have the PCN members as guest for the two-hour job and career networking session.
Gloria Smith, State of California Employment Development Department, Crenshaw and West Los Angeles Manager provided the official welcome for the meeting. Ms. Smith stressed the importance of consistency in working with job seekers. Congratulations to Ms. Smith who is serving her 38th consecutive year with the department. There are many more employers seeking to network with public agencies for screening applicants, particularly as more companies move operations back into the inner city. Voice, (323) 290-5111, email: GSmith2@edd.ca.gov
Claudia Jones, West Angeles Community Development Corporation COO, shared some outstanding information regarding the upcoming job programs regarding seniors. Voice, (323) 751-7440, ext. 13, email: cjones@westangelescdc.org
Michael Richardson, Los Angeles Unified School district’s ‘We Build’ shared the importance of screening applicants to maintain integrity of construction projects. The field of construction does not suit every person and therefore requires close soft skill awareness to ensure good assignments to the program. Voice, (213) 241-5112, email: Michael.Richardson@LAUSD.net
Michael Dolphin, California Employment Development Department’s Division Chief for L.A. and Ventura Counties shared the importance on maintaining accountability to the beneficiaries of the job development process. The supervisor and employee relations are paramount to producing effective outcomes and work products.
The needs are high for youth employment assignments, as young people do not have access to neighborhood jobs and temporary work assignments as was once available. Job developers have to increase the awareness to young applicants in order to enhance their appreciation to have dignity of work placement.
In addition, we are to be aware of future needs regarding the armed forces veteran services. The needs will increase as post war efforts take place. The PCN is well positioned to help connect informative services since the group has the VA and similar services apart of the network.
Henry Brown shared information on the maturity job placement services targeted for senior citizens. Voice: (323) 752-2115, ext. 275, or Email: hbrown1944@yahoo.com
Jennifer Frank, MENTORS International, Managing Director, shared training information on ‘Global Logistics’ and a speaker’s series and career program. The attendance is free for PCN members, with an RSVP. Voice (562) 433-1141 or (310) 763-3400, email: mentorsintl@charter.net
Our next PCN meeting is set for Monday, December 11, 2006, hosted by the Southeast Los Angeles WorkSource Center at 3965 S. Vermont, Los Angeles, CA 90037. Contact: Billy Williams (323) 730-7900, ext 213
PCN Meeting Attendees for November 2006
Allyson Lavalais, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
Althais Aka, DPSS
Anita Wallace, Los Angeles Urban League
Antoinette Anderson, Los Angeles Urban League
Arelettia Jones, Los Angeles Opportunities Industrialization Center
Belonda Stringfield, Crystal Stairs
Billy Williams, Southeast Los Angeles WorkSource Center
Blanche Octave, County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department
Bobbie Strong, Kedren Head Start
Clarence Espinosa, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
Claudia Jones, West Angeles, Community Development Corporation
Darryl Fisher, State of California Employment Development Department, West L.A.
David Fierro, VA
Dean Jones, Southland Business Partnership
Dr. Lillie, County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s - Probation Chaplain
Efrain Ruiz, Los Angeles Superior Court
Elnora Ragland, Broad Spectrum, CDC
Fred Otten, VA Multi-Trauma Unit Rehabilitation, West L.A.
Gayle Collins, Los Angeles South/Compton Juvenile Service
Gloria Smith, State of California Employment Development Department
Gloria Zuurveen, PACE News
Gregory Burks, City of Los Angeles, Youth Opportunity
Henry Brown, Work Training Program, F.A.M.E. NCCA
Irene Rodriguez, Personal Involvement Center
Jackie Jones, West Angeles, Community Development Corporation
James Jones, Gangsters for Christ
Jamie Gutierrez, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
Jennifer Frank, Mentors International
Joanie Knight, Forte Tax Academy
Joe Rouzan, City of Los Angeles, Community Development Department
Jonathan Bennett, People Assisting the Homeless (PATH)
Julie Dominguez, Graphic Designer
Karen Robinson, GM&R Lending
La Toya Lagman, Covenant House California
Larry Denman, Weingart Center
LaVonté Jackson, Goodwill Serving the People of Southern L.A. County
Leslie Parness, GPC/JVS
Linda Oropeza, LAUSD, Metro Skills Center
Maryd Miller, City of Los Angeles, Youth Opportunity Movement
Merwin Gerard, Los Angeles County DPSS, GROW Program
Michael Bennett, Los Angeles Urban League
Michael Dolphin, State of California Employment Development Department
Michael Richardson, Los Angeles Unified School District -- ‘We Build’
Mindy Owes, RAFT, Inc.
Monica Anderson, Ex-Offender Action Network, L.A. Metro Churches
Pat Calloway, Calloway & Associates
Portia Smith, State of California Employment Development Department
Rasheedah Young, City of Los Angeles, Community Development Department
Rick Conroy, Customer Service Learning Center at Fox Hills
Robert Hamm, Los Angeles Unified School District
Rose Cote, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
Shirley Lockridge, Los Angeles Southwest College
Stephen Thompson, Los Angeles Opportunities Industrialization Center (LAOIC)
Susan Tenner, Abran Faredman Occupational Center
Tab Ndipagbor, DPSS, GAIN I
Tiffany Hooker, Los Angeles Southwest College
Vernell Taylor, Union Bank of California
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PCN started in January 2001, focused on job coordination for community residents, assisting them with 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.