Every Day Is A Chance

A quote that I found the other day was, "Everyday is a second chance." I found this quote to ring true. In life, you have to make everyday count. Take these chances given to you in each day and use them. Live for your today while traveling towards your tomorrow.

-Dezi Guillen and Sarah Avignone

Success Story: Darcie Adams

Success Story-- Darcie Adams:  For many years I believed firefighting would be my chosen career.  I pursued that goal vigorously, taking firefighter classes at Crafton Hills and completing EMT training while enrolled in Career Institute’s WIA program.  But even while completing the CI classes, another possible career path nagged at the back of my mind.  My Career Mentor had stressed the importance of finishing things I start because of the sense of accomplishment it gives a person and a clear conscience of having given that thing 100% of my effort and attention while I had the opportunity.   

My EMT training will serve me well throughout the rest of my life.  I have gained invaluable knowledge about how to respond when faced with emergency situations.  CI also taught me amazing customer service skills which I now use constantly. 

After my CI training year concluded I enrolled at Elite Cosmetology School in Yucca Valley, graduating in August of 2013.  I moved back up to Big Bear and landed a job at a salon right away.  I am steadily building a clientele and doing what I truly love.

Thank you Career Institute, for teaching and guiding me.  You have an amazing program.

"Different Doesn't Mean Deficient"

(Jonathan Mooney, above)

Jonathan Mooney is a learning disabilities advocate who was inspired by his own experience. He has dyslexia and ADHD. When he first entered kindergarten, he became "the bad kid" because of his inability to remain still. He said that he had " a sense of being 'less than', because of the way [he] was treated"

His message is simple, "different doesn't mean deficient". It is something that he learned the hard way. 

In 1998, he and four others started Project Eye-to-Eye, a widely duplicated mentor/student non-profit organization whose goal is to give younger students with learning disabilities hope. 

I had the honor of hearing him speak earlier this year at a transition resource fair  he spoke about some of the students who he met through Project Eye-to-Eye. 

He told us about Juan, who at 18, had just gotten out of jail. Juan had been arrested at the age of 13 for running a 20 person drug ring in south central Los Angeles. Jonathan told us, "Juan said he was done with that life, but he said he was no good at anything." But Jonathan laughed. " I said, Juan! A 20 person drug ring?! Dude! You're an entrepreneur! Now, we gotta get you a different product, some hoodies or something.."

With encouragement, Juan went to college and studied graphics design. Today he works with advertising companies.  

The thing is, you need to find what you're passionate about, and then find a way to apply it. If you need to, don't hesitate to ask for help. Just because you're different doesn't mean that you cannot succeed. 

"I know I will be there soon..."

Success Story: Janette Cuevas

(Cuevas and her two children)

This month I decided to choose someone I knew personally as my success story. This is Janette Cuevas, my cousin. Who just enrolled into our High School Completion program. Janette grew up as the only girl in a family of five so, she was constantly competing with the boys in her family. Janette started working full time at the age of fifth-teen to help pay bills around the house. However, it took a toll on her education. Soon after she started working, she dropped out of High School. Janette then went to work in the fast food industry, she also worked the reception desk at a local hotel, and even interned at a local radio station. She then started working at a local Chipotle Restaurant. In 2011, Janette gave birth to a handsome little boy by the name of Mason, then in 2013 gave birth to another handsome little boy by the name of Ian. Janette is now the manager of the Chipotle Restaurant she works in. However, she feels that not having her High School diploma is holding her back. This and her children have empowered her to go back to school and get her diploma so they could have and live a better life.

When I asked Janette what her meaning of success was she replied, “Success to me is being happy with those you love. I’m happy, but I am not yet where I want to be in life but I know I will be there soon to make a better life for myself and my two little boys!”

Career Connections Success!

Alma Salazar is part of our Career Connections summer work program. She was referred to Career Institute in Victorville and started June of 2014. Alma's favorite thing about the program so far, is being able to gain work experience and earn cash at the same time! She was struggling to find employment before this program, but now she is working part time at Burlington Coat Factory towards her 250 hours of work experience. Alma is very thankful that she has been given this opportunity and enjoys gaining the skills from her current work site and Career Institute.

Welding and popcorn.

Meet Joe Herrera. Joe is a 2nd year WIA (Workforce Investment Act) youth at the Career Institute in Barstow. Joe is currently finishing his welding certificate at Barstow Community College, and is also working at Barstow Theaters.

Joe hopes his welding certificate will open doors for him. One hope is that he can one day build custom fish tanks and reptile enclosures, but until then, he is building his work experience at Barstow Theaters.

Joe's favorite part of his job is helping and serving customers. His Customer Service certification that he earned through the Career Institute sure is getting some use. Great job Joe, keep progressing!

- Tim Togafau, Student Ambassador

"Bridge to College Success!"

Bridge to College Success!

(Instructors and Students for Bridge Program 2014, Image Source:Barstow Community College Official Facebook )

Earlier this month Barstow Community College started its annual Bridge to College Success Program for recent graduates and/or graduating high school seniors in their service area that plan on attending Barstow Community College. The Bridge Program is designed to give an insight and prepare student for their first semester at Barstow Community College. During the program student's take various workshops to prepare them for college-level classes. I personally believe this program is a wonderful opportunity for student's! It not only prepares them educationally but it also prepares them for a different type of educational environment. 

New Month, New Projects.

Rancho Cucamonga's student ambassadors meet to discuss future plans for Rancho hospitality students. Also, possible plans to help other student ambassadors and mentors. More detailed information soon to come!

-Georgia and Daniel.
Rancho Cucamonga student ambassaors.

Summer School and Summer Work

After all the excitement of graduation, Barstow College summer classes have started. Although there are full classes all over campus, come afternoon, it's a ghost town. Career Institute as well as all the departments on-campus are still busy bees; there's no summer break for them.

We are recruiting for our next set of Hinkley youth/trainees, as well as preparing for our Fall Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program (both applications available at www.cinow.org), we are looking at employer tour sites for our Leadership Connection in the winter, and staying busiest of all with our summer work experience Career Connections.  As our Career Mentor says, "Being busy is better than being bored", believe me, there's no boredom here in Barstow.

-Tim Togafau, Student Ambassador

Another banner down, more to come!

“Wherever there is light, one can photograph.”

Last weekend student ambassador Georgia Burckel from Rancho Cucamonga drove off her daily path to Lake Arrowhead to capture an amazing event! Career Institute has there leadership connection yearly; an event each student looks forward. Georgia was able to capture two individuals that are very involved with Lake Arrowheads Leadership Connection that will be put on a huge banner for to place up at more events in the future! Another banner down, more to come!

Georgia Burckel

Rancho Cucamonga student ambassador. 

gburckel@cinow.org