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ANNOUNCEMENTS:
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Holiday pies - The deadline for ordering your pies is November 12th.
Order now!
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A TIME TO BE THANKFUL
For me, Thanksgiving has always been a time to truly give thanks. Now I have learned at TSS, it means pies, pies, and more pies! So I would be remiss if I did not remind you to order yours now to enjoy at your November feast and plan on freezing a couple for the December holidays!
I am so thankful to be part of this amazing organization and grateful to all of those who have contributed to its creation and evolution. I am fascinated by its history and applaud the wisdom in knowing that equipping teens for successful, real work experiences, also teaches them skills for life. I have met some of our alums, read the stories of others, and witnessed first-hand the impact of the personal interactions that take place between teens and our staff and volunteers, and I simply love the energy and passion that define the entire "TSS family."
For all of you who support our Sonoma Valley youth, I am grateful. You will soon receive a letter from me asking you to continue that support and to give as generously as possible to sustain and expand our programs. When you make your gift, please know the thanks come from everyone at TSS, especially our teens.
With thanks,
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WE HAVE A DATE!
Operation Bicycle is opening in Vailetti Plaza! The doors will finally be open on Wednesday, November 7th. Hours are noon to 7 pm, Wednesday thru Sunday, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. We are open for business and will have a grand opening, sponsored by Rabobank, in January. Many thanks to all who helped out especially Allen Tose and Rotary of Sonoma Valley. Come on by to get your holiday bikes!
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COOKING UP CONFIDENCE
Amy Hunsberger (far left) has a serious day job, and a serious after-hours cookie hobby. By day, she is an attorney with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and advises the agency that oversees the Medicare and Medicaid programs. When she isn't working, chances are you'll find her baking and decorating cookies with rainbows of royal icing. She joins the Lovin' Oven teens about once a month to coach them in cookie projects that are sold at the No Name Café or given as gifts to Teen Services donors.
Karen Torres (right) first heard about Teen Services through her Foods Class at Sonoma Valley High School. After taking the Servsafe and Service Etiquette classes, she enrolled in the Ready to Work Certification classes and began working at the Lovin' Oven. It wasn't long before she met Amy, who "taught me how to decorate the heck out of cookies! She's the best! I love her creativity and she's just a wonderful person."
At Cowboy Cab last June, Karen received TSS' John Randall Scholarship to help with her college expenses. Now a freshman at San Diego State with a major in business, Karen reflects back on her times with Teen Services. Learning to write a resume was the highlight of the RTW class and allowed her to land jobs at both Train Town and the Westway, but she continued working with Amy, volunteering at Cowboy Cab, and spending time at the Teen Center. "TSS is like a second home. Everyone there is so friendly and they have helped me so much and I am very grateful."
In looking at what lies ahead, Karen responded: "I'm the first to attend college in my family and I have worked hard to get to where I am. I'm the oldest of three younger siblings and both my parents are from Mexico. I don't have my life planned out but I want to study abroad! I just hope for the best and I can't wait to see where life will take me."
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FALL READY TO WORK GRADUATES!
The smiles were plentiful on November 2nd as Becky Jo Peterson, Teen Services Executive Director, welcomed teens, family members, staff, board members and friends to celebrate the accomplishment of these amazing teens.
Over the past five weeks, these young people participated in a series of after-school workshops to learn skills for securing their first jobs. They learned about the application and hiring process, money management, and customer service; completed their first resumes; and participated in job interviews with local business professionals.
Each graduating teen has now been assigned a personal coach and will complete an action plan as part of the Ready to Work process. Coaches will work with their teens through the job search and placement processes as needed and will continue to support them for the first 90 days of employment.
Congratulations to our graduates from Creekside: Christian Bandt, Travis Martinez, Alan Mata, Jonathan Santoyo, Brianna Videz, Bethany Whitty and from Sonoma Valley High School: Faith Alvarado, Eduardo Barrera, Ian Bridant, Connor Brown, Richie Crispi, Athena Curiel, Jimena Echeverria, Eileen Frost, Zitlaly Garcia, Gabby Kutza, Victoria Palominos, Vanessa Perez, Emma Stambaugh, Sean Tomany, Maria Torres, Jack Turner, and Aleiah Tzintzun
Many thanks to Jennifer Blackwood, our RTW Manager who guided these teens throughout the classes; to the job coaches: Sandy Drew, Osias Encarnacion, Chriss Fife, Constance Grizzell, Valerie Henderson, Jody Leeds, Diana Olding, and Dave Waldron; and to the following businesses who participated in the job interview process: Cline Cellars, Corner Store, Cottage Inn & Spa, Freixenet USA Inc., North Bay Credit Union, Nugget Market, and Transcendence Theatre.
Teen Services is extremely grateful to the Krug Center, Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn for generously donating the venue and set-up for this special event.
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ADDING THAT SPECIAL TOUCH
No doubt the teens who participated in the Ready to Work classes gain both soft skills and self-confidence. This year they had an added bonus as volunteer Joelle Smith brought a rack of clothes for them to select from, finding just the right outfit for their job interviews.
Joelle ran an organization in San Francisco called Stitch Fix, providing clothing for homeless people going to job interviews. Happily, she now lives here and we cannot thank her enough for her generosity.
Thank you, Joelle!!
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We are pleased to announce the receipt of a $5,000 grant from
US Bank Sonoma Branch in support of our Ready to Work program.
We are extremely grateful for the generous gift of $25,000 from the Bothin Foundation that will enable us to replace our roof and enjoy a leak-free winter!
AND our new neighbor in the Vailetti Plaza -
North Bay Credit Union - is donating $25 to Teen Services Sonoma for every new account opened at their new location. Drop by and meet Lynnette Barlesi - 707.285.7733.
Many thanks to US Bank, the Bothin Foundation, and North Bay
Credit Union!
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THANK YOU TO OUR RECENT SUPPORTERS!
Individuals
Jackie Alcaraz
Fernanda Avalos
Rodrigo Barrera
Eduardo Barrera
Elizabeth Begley
Rayne Dessayer
Sandy Drew
Osias Encarnacion
Chriss Fife
Constance Grizzell
Valerie Henderson
Yubani Herrera
Amy Hunsberger
Jacob Knudsen
Jody Leeds
Larinda Merkins
Diana Oldings
Maureen O'Neill
Bryan Perez
Marcia Petersen
Monica Ramirez
Mario Rojas
Juan Rosas
Judy Scotchmoor and Roland Gangloff
Linda Schill
Tom Sours
Gregg Stubbs
Allen Tose
Ocatavio Urcino
Dave Waldron
Chuck and Cathy Williamson
Ashley Zaragoza
Caroline Zarate
Organizations
Bothin Foundation
Cline Cellars
Corner Store
Cottage Inn & Spa
Freixenet USA Inc.
Krug Center, Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn
North Bay Credit Union
Nugget Market
Optima Building Services
Rabobank
Rotary of Sonoma Valley
Transcendence Theatre
US Bank
Warren Construction and Roofing
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