September 1, 2005

Youth Empowerment Services (YES)

An SDSVP grant is funding an employment readiness and internship program for pregnant and parenting teens that live in the Salvation Army’s “Door of Hope - Haven Program”. The program is a licensed group home that serves roughly 20 pregnant and parenting teens and their children.

The participants in the program are foster youth who became pregnant while residing in a group or foster home or living on the street.

SDSVP Partners are facilitating employer outreach and internship development. Through the efforts of SDSVP Partners, 20 girls have been enrolled in the YES program. Twelve girls completed job shadowing experiences at North County Health Clinic and 12 have completed an internship or are working in a job.

Through the efforts of SDSVP Partners and the Door Of Hope staff, the computer “Success Lab” is up and running with donated computers and internet services. The residents at Haven can now build resumes, search for jobs and explore areas of career interest.

“My job shadowing experience at the North County Health Clinic job was great for me. It greatly reinforced the career choice I had made in nursing. I gained hands-on experience, such as viewing a physician stitching up a wound. The fact that I was able to see that was awesome! I am more dedicated than ever before to attain my goal.”

C. L.

Second Chance

SDSVP supports the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Partnershop in Hillcrest, the social enterprise initiative of Second Chance. Second Chance provides the nationally recognized STRIVE program, a 120 hour job readiness and life skills course, to enable disadvantaged individuals to get and maintain longterm employment.

The goals of the Second Chance Ben & Jerry’s Partnershop are to: 1) provide job training, customer skills and service training in the food service and hospitality industry resulting in a career path with a livable wage; and 2) create a profitable social enterprise so proceeds can support other Second Chance programs.

SDSVP worked with Second Chance to improve the Partnershop’s inventory control systems, financial systems, implement a frequent customer program and identify new marketing strategies to increase sales.

“Second Chance continues to benefit from the SDSVP investment in our Ben & Jerry’s Partnershop on University Avenue in Hillcrest. Completing our second year of operation, we are approaching break-even financial status, efficiency gains and increased community awareness for Second Chance’s social enterprise which promotes workforce development for at-risk youth.”

Jo-Ann Jaffe, Director of Development
Second Chance

Junior Achievement (JA)

California is one of 30 states in the nation that does not require or provide formal financial literacy training for students. Consequently, many students today are making poor financial decisions, being lured into excessive credit card debt, and are unable to manage their money. SDSVP funded a pilot JA personal finance program to address these issues. JA taught personal finance to over 500 students in low-income high school classes across San Diego County.

SDSVP and JA will focus on a new initiative for financial literacy and business called JA Enterprise Village, the first of its kind in California. It will immerse 5th and 6th grade students in the fundamental components of free enterprise, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, economics, ethics and citizenship. Over half of the estimated 12,000 participants will be low-income youth.
All students will represent the diverse ethnic and cultural populations of San Diego. SDSVP will provide strategic guidance and capacity building in the areas of business planning, site selection, fundraising, marketing and communications.

“What is unique about the SDSVP partnership is that it provides multiple-year funding, as well as creative and dedicated personnel, to launch new programs. Multiple-year funding helps create an entrepreneurial environment in non-profits because it provides an additional incentive to stay the course when a new idea becomes challenging.”

Marion Paul,
Executive Vice President, Junior Achievement

Human Development Foundation (HDF)

HDF’s goal is to help bridge the “gap” between the longterm chances for academic achievement between gifted children from higher income families and those in lower income, non-English speaking families. SDSVP funds the Parent Literacy and Academic Curriculum Enrichment
Program (PLACE). This innovative program places parents of OPEN GATE (gifted and talented education) students in the classroom with the children’s teacher for two six-week sessions to teach the students curriculum to the parents in their native language. Through OPEN GATE, HDF advocates scholastic success for children with high potential and limited economic means. Equally significant is that return on investment for SDSVP-HDF, OPEN GATE and Parents Place Programs for the 3 years ending June 2005 was $5.86 for every dollar invested.

As a result of the SDSVP/HDF 2-year strategic planning process, there has been significant progress in HDF’s organizational capacity. In addition, Partners Bob Bingham, Dale Stein and Alan Sorkin have joined HDF’s board and Marjorie Fox, HDF President & CEO, is a member of the SDSVP Board.

“SDSVP has taken HDF from a relatively unknown organization to being well respected and recognized in the community. In short, I cannot imagine where HDF would be right now, without the input, assistance and genuine interest of SDSVP and its Partners….SDSU’s OPEN GATE Program Evaluation now verifies what we knew empirically, that we have a sophisticated program that makes a difference in the lives of highly gifted, low income children”

Marjorie Fox,
HDF President & CEO

Excellence and Justice in Education (EJE)

Excellence and Justice in Education (EJE) assists Hispanic, low-income parents to become strong advocates for their children to increase academic achievement and prepare them for college.

EJE’s success with parents and their children is evident in the results of students’ test scores, reported in San Diego State University’s independent study of EJE’s student achievement. The study shows these children scored higher in all subjects than the general Hispanic population and about equal to the student population at large. Executive Director Eva Pacheco has been honored for her achievement in the Lemon Grove school district and East County.

SDSVP Lead Partner, Jerry Hoffmeister advises the EJE Board and is a trustee of EJE Elementary Academy, their charter school.

Testimonials:

“When I look back upon this past year and the countless blessings I’ve been fortunate enough
to receive, I count on you as one of those blessings. Your trust in us never wavered, and your
mentorship added significantly to the growth of EJE. My appreciation for your help and support is never taken lightly. Your partnership and support made me realize that, by working together, we can do things we never dreamed possible.”

Eva Pacheco, Executive Director EJE

“EJE taught me organizational skills, public speaking and how to run a successful
business meeting.”

Former EJE Middle School Student (Now in College)