October 2018 SER Newsletter
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| This newsletter is from “The Adelante Movement” presented by Coca-Cola |
Project S.O.Y. Hispanic Heritage Month
Project S.O.Y. celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring Judge David Wesley for giving youth a second chance! Watch the recap!
How To Set Up a Facebook Business Page
- A name for your Page and a blurb about your business
- Profile photo
- Cover photo
Step 1: Sign up on Facebook Business
Head over to facebook.com/pages/creation/ and select “Business or Brand.” Then, you’ll add your page name and the category (Nonprofit Organization).
Step 2: Upload Profile Photo & Cover Photo
Here is where you’ll add your profile photo and cover photo for your page.
Step 3: Add a Username
According to Facebook, “A username helps people find and remember your Page”.
It should match your page name as closely as possible so your audience can easily find you!
Step 4: Finish Your About Section
Filling out your About section helps people understand where you’re located, how to get in touch, and what you’re all about. It’s a good idea to fill this out as soon as possible so your audience get all the information they need right up front.
Now you’re ready to start posting!
Want to know more about Facebook Business pages? Read more here: https://www.facebook.com/business/learn/set-up-facebook-page
Saving Young Lives, Revitalizing Neighborhoods, Empowering Families And Senior Citizens
Barrio Station has faithfully worked to save young precious lives to help them reject drug use/abuse, violence and delinquency. Subsequently gang violence and drug addiction has decreased to a significant level in Barrio Logan where families enjoy a substantially improved quality of life, as all Americans deserve. Today we are embarking on campaigns to challenge the disturbing outsiders who are trying to force their interests upon our community.
Following the example of Cesar E. Chavez, the community engaged in many “house meeting media campaigns” to expose and combat the outsiders that deviously caused the deterioration of the spirit and physical landscape of Barrio Logan. New strategies are in place to protect our way of life. Photo: 1974 home of the Castañeda family. Ramon “Chunky” Sanchez, daughter Izcatli and Rachael Ortiz, Barrio Station ED
SER – Jobs for Progress of the Texas Gulf Coast Success Story: Ray Navarez
Magnolia-native Ray Navarez and his family call Houston’s east end home. Raised in a single-parent household, Ray watched his immigrant mother struggle to find employment – working odd jobs and long hours to provide for the family.
With no father figure at home, Ray often looked to his uncle for guidance. As a child, Ray’s uncle would tell him “a man’s job is to be able to confront any problem and never stay [still] with his hands crossed…” – a mantra that still guides him today.
Around the age of 24, Ray found himself in a bad situation and eventually, prison. After being released, Ray was determined to make his family proud.
“I was going to a school in the medical center to become a surgical technician,” said Ray. “Right when it was time for me to do my clinical rotations, I told [the school] my situation and they told me I couldn’t have anything on my record… I was one of the top students there…[so] that was disappointing.”
After leaving the program, Ray was discouraged.
“I had a felony and was having trouble [finding] work,” said Ray. “I didn’t know where I was going in my life.”
After a friend showed Ray an article about SER helping ex-offenders find employment, the two decided to check it out.
“I did the evaluation [at SER] and scored high in the math portion. [My SER career coach] said I would be a better fit for the Workforce Solutions CNC Machining program at Alvin Community College, since it involved more math,” said Ray. “I went through the CNC program but [due to miscommunication] I was transferred into the Houston Community College Welding program.”
“I started the welding program at the HCC campus southeast, near Gulfgate. It was a lot closer and convenient,” said Ray. “I caught on really quickly.”
With some support from the SER team, Ray was unstoppable.
“Once I completed the program, I just went for it,” said Ray. “I looked around at places that were hiring, got a job, and boosted my resume with experience. I started off working at little shops here and there just to get the experience. Now here I am, working at a chemical plant.”
Now 31, Ray is working for CB&I near Lake Charles, Louisiana on a LNG project (liquefied natural gas), where the company disseminates natural gas, liquefies it, and ships it to Japan.
“I’ve been here since March [of 2017]. This is my first out-of-town job. I am used to always having work surrounding me… but last year was a slow year in the industry,” said Ray. “It’s difficult being away from home, but I just deal with it.”
Homesickness is a small price to pay for the pride Ray (and his family) now experience.
“I became who my mother wanted me to be,” said Ray. “Something stuck that she instilled in me. I would hate that she emigrated from Mexico and that she sacrificed to give me a better life, [if] all of it [was for nothing]… it makes me feel good that I became who she sacrificed for me to be.”
After nearly 6 years as a welder, Ray is looking toward the future.
“I think the next thing I want to do is to get my certification to be a welding inspector,” said Ray. “That’s more money and less work…that’s my goal in life.”
Ray’s years in the field provided him with valuable insights and perspective to share with up-and-coming SER students and welders.
“For the guys coming out of the welding course, you will hear a lot about the money and how much you can make as a welder,” said Ray. “That’s all fine and dandy, but like anything, you have to go through ropes. [At first], I wasn’t making as near what I am making now. I had to work jobs and shifts [that I disliked] that weren’t paying enough, but I gained experience.”
For Ray, determination and hard work have been just as important as training.
“That [determination] led me to the plants and refineries that I’ve worked in,” said Ray. “Some of us aren’t fortunate to have connections to get us in, [so] we have to find our own way.”
“Sometimes it’s an illusion or let down when you get out of the welding school….it’s a matter of having the determination that you want to accomplish what you set yourself out to accomplish. There will be a few bumps in the way, but you have to continue to push – continue to put in work.”
Despite the challenges Ray encountered along the way, he continued to live by his uncle’s mantra, and with SER’s help, has made a bright future for himself and his family.
“Welding gave me a platform, but SER is who got me there…I am very appreciative of the opportunity given to me,” said Ray. “It changed my life for the better.”
Providing Affordable Housing and Social Services throughout California
At SER Jobs For Progress, Inc. of San Joaquin Valley, we strive to help our community members throughout California acquire affordable housing and comprehensive management services. Our goal is to help better the community by giving people the boost they need during hard times. Our team dedicates their time to assisting individuals and families in need of support throughout the rental acquisition process.
Our rental properties are located across Fresno and beyond to give families, young professionals and retirees plenty of location choices. We keep the rentals in optimal condition by performing routine maintenance and emergency repairs as needed. Our residents can contact us anytime with questions, concerns and comments. Our commitment to remaining responsive to our residents ensures everyone always feels valued and supported throughout their rental market journey.
Beyond our quality rentals and management services, we have many support programs available to members of our diverse California communities. We welcome prospective and current clients to contact us today to learn more.
Our Mission
To provide individuals the opportunity to become self-sustaining, obtain a quality education, employment and training opportunities, childcare, affordable housing and other services that may benefit the community as a whole. To develop specific employment and training projects, educational programs including technology, develop affordable housing, childcare programs and create other services so that the individuals for whom this program is intended can reap the full measure of benefits to be derived there from.