May 16th, 2025

This week's featured photo highlights eight young women from our program who had the opportunity to attend Santa Clara County’s Rise Above: Women's Resilience in Focus event. They heard powerful, inspiring stories from women making a difference in the community and connected with peers who share their drive and ambition. The event created a supportive space for encouragement, motivation, and mutual empowerment. Attendees also gained access to valuable resources, including professional headshots and the chance to engage with local organizations offering support for their future goals. The experience has filled them with hope, confidence, and a stronger belief that they are capable of achieving great things. 

For a chance to be featured on the photo of the week, please email your best pictures to social@sjcccs.org or share your team updates on Slack.

SHARING ABUNDANCE, REDUCING HUNGER

This Saturday, Fellow Leslie T., will be hosting a community food market at the Berger campus as part of Zero Waste’s monthly E-waste collection event. We’re looking for additional volunteers to help distribute food and support our efforts to reduce food insecurity. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers who sign up! Staff and corpsmembers are also welcome to stop by and pick up groceries for their households. We hope to see you there! For any questions about the event or how to sign up, please reach out to Leslie T..

HIKE AT BIG BASIN

Let's Hike! Join Chris N., Kylee L., and other staff as we take a trip to Big Basin on May 31st! Learn about the redwoods, the work our corpsmembers accomplished, and the recovery efforts that have taken place in the park since the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. The hike meets at 8 AM in the Big Basin Parking Lot and will go until 2 PM. Bring 2 liters of water and a lunch. Reach out to Chris N. for more information. 

BEGINNINGS BASH

We're just two weeks away from the Beginnings Bash, our third annual graduation party to celebrate all our 2024–2025 job training and charter school graduates, happening on May 29th! Don’t miss out on the fun—register below to be part of the celebration! 

DUNK-A-DORSEY

We are bringing back Dunk-A-Dorsey for the Beginnings Bash this year! You can nominate participants or sign up to be dunked using the QR code above or the "nominate" button below. Those participating will be placed on a list of people who AGREED to participate. Corpsmembers and staff have the opportunity to dunk someone on this list.  

To be dunked, you must be available on May 29th from 4-7 PM. 

For more questions, please reach out to Ileana on Slack, email, or by phone at (669) 328-6173.

COMMUNITY UNITES TO RECYCLE RIGHT

Over the weekend, our Zero Waste team wrapped up another successful community collection event in Hollister, gathering over 1,300 pounds of E-waste, 47 tires, and 11 mattresses. A big thank-you to our incredible crew for ensuring these items are recycled properly and responsibly! 

BATTLING THE BEETLE: TREE HEALTH SURVEYS IN ACTION

On Monday, a new tree surveying project commenced in the Natural Resource Management department. Led and supervised by NRM Coordinators, this small and mighty team is assigned to survey trees on public San Jose streets that are at risk of having the Fusarium Dieback Disease carried by the invasive Shothole Borer Beetle. If trees are affected by this disease, there is a possibility that they will die and the beetles will find a new tree host. Great job team- your efforts are helping to preserve the beauty, health, and resilience of our community's urban forest. 

HAZWOPER CERTIFIED

HAZWOPER 40 training has been underway this week, with corpsmembers from each job training department taking part in the 40-hour course. The training provides comprehensive knowledge on a range of topics, including toxicity and hazards, personal protective equipment (PPE), decontamination procedures, and emergency response. By the end of today, all participants will be officially certified — a significant achievement, and we’re incredibly proud of everyone who took part.

ONGOING CAMPUS BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS

Progress continues at our Berger campus as the Zero Waste crews rolled up their sleeves this week to begin landscaping and mulching the front entrance. Just a few weeks ago, we highlighted the early stages of this transformation when they began clearing out weeds in preparation for the next phase—and now, that vision is taking shape.

Their hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed and are truly appreciated by staff, tenants, and visitors alike. We’re excited to watch the front entrance continue to evolve in the coming weeks!

CERTIFIED CLEAN AIR VEHICLE INSPECTOR

Congratulations to Crew Lead Jose M. on earning his recent certification as a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Truck Inspector! Jose will be conducting inspections on heavy-duty trucks within his department to ensure that vehicle emissions control systems are functioning properly on our state's roadways. His efforts will play a key role in reducing smog-forming air pollution and supporting healthier air for our communities. 

CORPSMEMBER OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to Kenny M. for being awarded the Corpsmember of the Month for Zero Waste this past April. Outstanding performance, reliability, and a commitment to excellence have set a great example for the entire team. A well-deserved recognition for continued contributions and impact. 

GET $100

MAY JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Check out some exciting job opportunities for May! 

AANHPI HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION

Have plans this evening? Want to check out a FREE, fun, and family-friendly event that celebrates and showcases some of the most talented and amazing Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander artists, vendors, businesses, and dancers in the Bay Area? Swing by the AANHPI Celebration happening at the Berryessa Night Market in San Jose. And don't forget to check out their event website for more details.

GREEN GOODIES: FREE PLANTS FOR YOUR GARDEN

Take a trip to the Alviso Library this Sunday for a special giveaway of free gardening seeds and succulents. Whether you're looking to start a garden, brighten up your windowsill, or add a touch of green to your patio, this event offers a perfect opportunity to get growing—no cost required. As part of the library’s ongoing efforts to support sustainability and community engagement, the giveaway is open to all while supplies last.

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK, WIN A PIZZA PARTY

Attention corpsmembers! We’d love your feedback to help us understand how we can best support you in your post-Corps plans.

If you know of any corpsmembers who haven't completed this anonymous survey, tell them to submit their response by Wednesday, May 21st.

It should only take about a SLICE of your time (i.e., 10-15 minutes).

To pepper in a little extra incentive, if 70% of corpsmembers in your department COMPLETE the survey, they'll be treated to a FREE pizza party. 🍕😄Winners will be announced soon after the survey deadline, so stay tuned!