At a time when Silicon Valley communities are seeing some of the lowest unemployment rates in years, the reality is that there are pockets in these very communities that are experiencing high unemployment and underemployment. The City of East Palo Alto has approved a pilot project to help local residents build career pathways to economic empowerment: the East Palo Alto Career Center, which had its Grand Opening on June 1st.
The event was well attended by members from the community, city officials and staff, current Career Center clients, resident job seekers and recruiters. Several members scheduled interviews at the event. The event was also attended by special guest, Amazon’s Seattle-based Manager of State and Local Policy (Western Region) Uriah King.
The East Palo Alto Career Center, located on the East Palo Alto Amazon Campus is a facility gifted to the community by developer John Sobrato. The project is operated by JobTrain—a vocational training and comprehensive support services program that helps students most in need succeed. The East Palo Alto Career Center is an open community resource, which utilizes JobTrain’s years of experience and expertise to help those who walk in the door be positioned on a pathway to a career.
While business is thriving in the area, residents in East Palo Alto are still needing support as they choose, get and keep gainful employment. Through JobTrain’s work with the business community, discussing processes and strategies for hiring residents through the career center, East Palo Alto residents have a resource to tap into. Though service priority is given to East Palo Alto residents, the East Palo Alto Career Center also provides support and referrals to the broader public.
Career Center’s Mission – The East Palo Alto Career Center is a community resource that creates pathways to economic empowerment for East Palo Alto residents. Our goal is to enhance the quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening the East Palo Alto Community.
JobTrain helps those most in need by providing job training, placement and the support services people need to improve their financial situations. In our 50+ years of serving the community, we have learned that, in addition to job training and job placement, low-income individuals and families need a number of support services resources to transition from poverty to financial security.
The Career Center is open MWF 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM and T TH 1:00 – 5:00 PM. Please visit their website for more information: http://www.epacareercenter.org/