Part of Social Advocates for Youth’s mission is helping young people become job-ready so they can secure gainful employment. As part of our Careers Services department, SAY’s Clean Slate tattoo removal program helps former gang-impacted youth remove their visible gang-related or unwanted tattoos. This critical service dramatically increases employment opportunities...
Read MoreThis summer was a busy and exciting time for youth in SAY’s work experience programs. Every summer, SAY helps a cohort of young people become workforce ready through professional development workshops that focus on essential job skills, mock interviewing, and helping youth get that vital first job experience on their...
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Social Advocates for Youth is honored to be recognized as a Youth Friendly Business by the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board (WIB)! Our local Workforce Investment Board (WIB) is a group of key stakeholders appointed by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to address workforce challenges throughout Sonoma County. The WIB...
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When Matthew Reid stood on the rooftop of his downtown Santa Rosa home on October 8th, he could see the flames engulfing the outer rings of his beloved community, including the regional parks where he spends his days as the Operations and Maintenance Coordinator, and Project Host Supervisor for SAY...
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[embed]https://vimeo.com/[/embed] [vimeo 215745370 w=720 h=405] When Jada’s father was disabled in a car accident, the path of her childhood and her family’s stability was deeply affected. Her parents struggled to keep up with monthly bills, including mortgage payments. “My dad wasn’t able to work,” Jada says. “So we weren’t able to pay for...
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In January youth staff from Social Advocates for Youth’s Sunflower Community Garden, along with Sorrel Allen, our Garden Youth Supervisor, worked with local environmental artist, Sherry Gibson from Wild Woodswoman Creations to install a 8ft x 9 ft. living willow arch for the new entrance to the Sunflower Community Garden. Youth...
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Last week eight youth graduated from SAY's Fall Work-readiness Program. Prior to graduation they presented on their internships, crew work, and their chosen career path, including their next steps. Students shared about becoming firefighters, plumbers, cosmetologists, careers in psychology, and more. Favorite quotes from the day: “Now I just gotta get...
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This update comes from Sorrel Allen, our Sunflower Garden Youth Supervisor: It’s been a sunny, hot, and beautiful summer in the Sunflower Community Garden. Our first tomatoes are ripe on the vine at last! The pollinators are plentiful. Our heat loving crops such as corn and peppers are growing boldly; we can...
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The SAY College and Career Readiness team in partnership with the Sonoma County Office of Education just completed coordination of a valuable externship program with three teams of teachers from area schools. Teacher externships offer a unique professional development opportunity connecting the classroom to the workplace. They provide an experience...
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June marked the kick off of one of the busiest times of year for our Career Services Teams - we interviewed, hired and trained 95 young people to work in jobs this summer. Our youth came in to the SAY Finley Dream Center for a two day HR and training...
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