Sonoma County EAC serves the community on many levels, from student
scholarships, to contributions to local human service organizations, to
partnering with the Sonoma County Human Services Division/Job Link One
Stop to implement the Workforce Investment Act and respond to employer
needs.
In March 2000, the EAC established an annual student scholarship
program, providing five $500 scholarships to students pursuing
education and training at Santa Rosa Junior College. In 2004 & 2005
the scholarships were increased to six at $500 each. EAC scholarships
address the needs of the diverse population of working students in
Sonoma County, targeting those with economic need and clear
occupational goals. In addition, a $10,000 endowment has been created
through the Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation for a local college
student. This original investment has established a perpetual
scholarship to be awarded each year.
October 2004 a check was written in the amount of $1282 to the Santa
Rosa Junior College for a job reentry scholarship to a local veteran.
This person has been working closely with an Employment Development
Department Veteran’s case manager to develop an employment plan that
has made it possible for him to recertify his California Teaching
Credential.
December 2004 the Sonoma County EAC contributed $10,000 to the Sonoma
County Job Link Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program to assist in
covering the cost of prerequisites for clients that meet WIA
eligibility. WIA is a federally funded program, which pays for eligible
individuals to attend training; however, some activities are not
covered due to program regulations. The EAC funds will provide
additional services for local job seeker. This is an effort by the
Employer Advisory Council to build a stronger Sonoma County workforce
through job training.
March 2005, $1200 was given to the Youth Education & Employment
Services Program for the purpose of funding radio advertising for the
3rd Annual Youth Summer Job and Career Fair that was held April 7th.
Local radio stations matched the EAC donation. Over 30 local employers
were present as well as over 300 youth. The event was a great success
with several youth securing employment from employers participating in
the career fair.
In September of 2005 a donation of $150 was made to Experience Works to
sponsor their participant attendee to the Annual Prime Time Awards
Program in Washington D.C. $500 was approved to fund a Katrina Job Fair
sponsored by Goodwill Industries and Sonoma County Job Link and $75 was
sent to the Katrina Small Business Aid Program to aid small businesses
suffering as a result of the effects of the hurricane.
The EAC has also been active in the community through sponsorship of
the Mayors’ Committee for the Employment of Persons with Disabilities.
In August of 2005 the board donated $250 for the purpose of supporting
the Open House and Best Practices Awards presentations which honors
local employers and individuals for their contributions to the disabled
community.
In February of 2006 Sonoma County EAC donated $5000 to Youth Business
Week (YBW). The primary emphasis of YBW is to support youth in making
the linkage between education, the workforce, community and the
development of leadership skills which will allow young people to see
the possibilities that await them as they go through life.
In May 2006 Sonoma County EAC provided scholarships of $750 each to
four deserving Santa Rosa Junior College students. The EAC donated $200
to co-sponsor the Black Chamber Mixer which was held on August 10, 2006
at Sonoma County Job Link. In September, $18,000 was donated to Youth
Business Week to be used to hire a Student Recruiter. The monies will
be used to hire a dedicated recruiter for the program in order to bring
more young people in to this valuable learning experience.
In October SCEAC purchased a table for $275 at the Economic Development
Board’s monthly breakfast meeting. The event honored the recipients of
the Mayors’ Committee on the Disabled Best Practices Awards.
In February of 2007 the Sonoma County Employer Advisory Council (SCEAC)
donated $250 to the Goodwill Industries of the Redwood Empire. The
money was used to purchase two gift baskets for their first annual fund
raising event.
In March 2007, SCEAC offered their first annual Employment Success
Awards. A total of $1750 was awarded to three recipients. These awards
honor clients with barriers to employment who have obtained jobs and
are ongoing in them. The goal is to assist them in some area of need
that will help them to retain and excel at their employment.
In June 2007 Sonoma County EAC donated $5000 to assist Youth Business
Week (YBW) as they prepare for their 2007-2008 program. The monies will
be used to hire four YBW graduates to act as Student Recruiters for the
upcoming year. Additionally, some funds will be used to send the
Student Leadership Team members to a Ropes course for teamwork training.
In September of 2007 SCEAC donated $1000 to Hire a Hero, Hire a Vet,
the EDD sponsored job fair for returning and other Veterans. The money
was used to purchase gift certificates for clothing and gas which were
provided for a raffle for the Vets.
In December of each year, the EAC donates to various local charities.
Last December, a total of $6,000 ($1200 each) was donated to the
following organizations:
Printed from the CEAC website: www.ceac.org - on Friday January 9th, 2009
http://ceac.org/region_2/sonoma_county_eac/sonoma_county_eac_service_to_the_community/
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