06/2011

PIC is Moving Forward!

This is an exciting time for Partners in Careers. We have moved to new space at 3210 N.E. 52nd Street in Vancouver. We are on one floor, have more training space, improved parking and a large community room for job fairs and other gatherings.

After 20 years in our former offices on 39th Street, we discovered early on that the move had many moving parts. In fact, we're still unpacking boxes and figuring out how to best lay out our new spaces. We want to thank some of our partners in the move for a job well done: Jan and Steve Oliva (our new landlords), Bluebird (our movers), Robertson and Olson (tenant improvements/construction), Architects Associative (design), BLAIRCO (heating and air conditioning) and the City of Vancouver (permits). Others also helped us get here and we thank you, too!

The new building comes just at the right time. We are gearing up to provide a redesigned Community Jobs Program to help parents on public assistance get the training and work experience they need to compete in today's job market. Our program for homeless veterans and their families, Homeward Bound, was just renewed by the federal Department of Labor for a second year. Our Youth Pilot is moving from design to anticipated launch in coming months. Our open house is in the planning stages and we are aiming for fall.

Please stop by and visit us. Our door is always open.

Pam

07/2010

Have you noticed how many young men and women in uniform there are at airports these days? So many are serving their country and giving of themselves for all of us. There are also more and more veterans coming home. And many need our help as they leave military service and return to civilian life. Sometimes, the return home is tough.

This is why PIC is about to launch a major effort to help homeless veterans in Clark County, Cowlitz County and Wahkiakum County.

Our new Homeward Bound project is made possible by a grant from the Department of Labor. In the next few months, our team will be on the road reaching out to homeless women veterans as well as all homeless veterans with children. Our mission is to connect veterans to housing, childcare, support services and employment.

This is a critical assignment and a number of area partners will be working with us to ensure we are successful.

That said, please get in contact with us if you know veterans who are without housing and in need. We are here to help.

Also, if you are interested in volunteering in our program or applying for our new Job Placement position in Homeward Bound, contact our office for application materials.

It is an honor to serve our veterans and we are counting on a very busy summer and year doing so!

Pam

05/2010

I am constantly amazed
by the power of community partnerships.

Here at PIC, partnerships with local non-profits, business and agencies is the foundation for what we do. For example, recently PIC applied for a grant to help homeless veterans with families find housing, childcare and employment. When we asked for community support letters the result was outstanding! Our grant had nine local partners, one Memorandum of Understanding from ESD 112  and a wonderful support letter from Senator Patty Murray.

I want to personally thank the following: the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council, City of Vancouver, Clark County, WorkSource, Vancouver Housing Authority, Council for the Homeless, Columbia River Mental Health, Clark County Military Assistance Committee and 40 et 8 and Share Emergency Housing. 

Everyone above has joined forces with PIC to help launch Homeward Bound to help homeless veterans with families. Clark County is stepping up to help our military veterans and their families. We will keep you posted about this program and other PIC efforts, such as our Youth Employment Pilot now under development.

Pam

12/2009

Thanks Kathleen for Changing So Many Lives

Over the years Kathleen Hyatt has changed the life of many a young person here in Clark County.

An Employment Specialist and teacher, Kathleen is retiring from PIC after 32 years. We thank her for her work and her dedication.

For many years, Kathleen coordinated a program here at PIC that helped high school students who were struggling with school and life. With her gentle intervention, she made sure that many Clark County young people earned their high school degrees.

For those of us who have been fortunate to work with Kathleen, we know she has a wonderful sense of humor and that she puts others first. If you see her around, thank her for all she has done. She will be missed.

Welcome New PIC Staff

I also want to welcome new staff members Dave Cole, Danita Burgess and Emily Stoutsenberger. Dave has joined us as a new Employment Specialist. Danita coordinates our program for low-income seniors. Roxeanne is coordinating our new jobs program for women veterans.

From all of us at PIC, be safe during the winter holidays. We look forward to continuing to serve our community in the New Year.

Pam

11/2009

Saluting Our Trailblazing Women Veterans

It was a great morning for women veterans November 7 when the VWP parade entry rolled down Officers Row.

Women vets spanning more than 50 decades of service to country rode in a Cadillac donated by Carr Cadillac. When the vehicle with the VWP banner reached the reviewing stand in front of the Marshall House, I actually jumped off the stand in the middle of a downpour and hollered as they rolled by!

 It was a great event with every branch of the services represented, local scouts and support organizations.

 Writing this, I am even more excited about our new jobs program for women veterans. They have given so much to our country and continue to do so.

 If you are a woman veteran and need help with finding a job or accessing services, please give either myself or Temika a call at 696-8417. If you are a local business, and would like to talk with us about hiring our veterans or providing internships or job shadowing opportunities, please call. We want to meet with you.

 Our VWP Coordinator will be coming on board soon and we are looking forward to making introductions as our new program grows and supports our women veterans. PIC is breaking new ground with this program and we want to thank all of you who are working with us.

 November is veterans' month. Here at PIC, in partnership with our community, we will be working to acknowledge and support our women veterans every day by providing a place for them to meet, access information and find ways to translate their leadership and technical skills into successful civilian careers.

 Now that's worth hollering about!

Pam Brokaw