Paving Great Futures

TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WITH THE NECESSARY TOOLS TO PAVE A GREAT FUTURE BY PROVIDING ALTERNATIVES FOR ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT THROUGH ENTREPRENUERSHIP, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, AND JOB TRAINING WITH THE INTENT TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT WHILE STIMULATING SOCIAL CHANGE AND RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND SERVICE.

1ST ACCOMPLISHMENT: PAVING GREAT FUTURES' "C.H.A.M.P." PROGRAMOVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS PAVING GREAT FUTURES' PROGRAM, "CULINARY, HOSPITALITY, ADMINISTRATION, MANAGEMENT, AND PROGRAM (CHAMP) HAS PROVIDED PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE HIGH-NEED AT RISK INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY BECOMING EMPLOYED BASED ON EITHER PAST RECORD OR THEIR LACK OF EMPLOYABLE SKILLS TO EARN A LIVING WAGE WHILE EARNING THE ESSENTIAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS IN THE CULINARY INDUSTRY. PAVING GREAT FUTURES HAS BEEN HELPING HIGH-NEED-AT RISK INDIVIDUALS TO GAIN EMPLOYMENT, BECOME ENTREPRENEURS, AND DEVELOP INTO EXEMPLARY LEADERS WHO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THEIR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY. THE CHAMP CLASS' PARTICIPANTS WERE TAUGHT THE TOOLS OF CULINARY SKILLS, JOB READINESS SKILLS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, FINANCIAL LITERACY, RESPONSIBLE LIFE SKILLS, AND ON THE JOB TRAINING.IN ADDITION, THOSE 15 STUDENTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY GRADUATE FROM PAVING GREAT FUTURES' (PGF) CHAMP CLASSES WERE PROVIDED ON- THE- JOB- TRAINING(OJT) THROUGH ITS CHAMPION CATERING AND FLIPPERS FISH & CHICKEN MOBILE CATERING OJT PROGRAMS. INITIALLY, THE OJT TRAINEES RECEIVE A SMALL STIPEND AND THEN PROGRESS TO A LIVABLE WAGE JOB. FURTHERMORE, WITH GRANTS FROM THE SDGE, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS CARE GRANT, PACIFIC WESTERN BANK,SD DISTRICT 4 COUNCIL OFFICE, CHEFWORKS AND OTHERS, PAVING GREAT FUTURES (PGF) WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT AND OTHER NECESSITIES TO LAUNCH ITS MOBILE CATERING SERVICE, FLIPPERS FISH & CHICKEN GIVING ITS OJT TRAINEES THE OPPORTUNITIES OF CULINARY SKILLS IN THE MOBILE CATERING INDUSTRY. FLIPPERS FISH & CHICKEN OJT TRAINEES MARKET THEIR SKILLS IN FARMER MARKETS, STREET FAIRS AND OTHER VENUES..2ND ACCOMPLISHMENT: GUIDING EMPOWERING WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR LEADERS 4 SUCCESS (G.E.W.E.L.S.)BESIDES SUCCESSFULLY EDUCATING AND TRAINING HIGH NEED AT RISK AND UNEMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS TO OBTAIN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT, PAVING GREAT FUTURES RAN ITS SECOND COHORT OF A 10 WEEK PILOT PROGRAM, GUIDING EMPOWERING WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR LEADERS 4 SUCCESS ( GEWELS). THE PURPOSE OF THE GEWELS PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE AN UNDERSTANDING OF COMMON PRACTICES AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE NEEDS OF A BUSINESS BY OFFERING TRAINING IN ESSENTIAL WORKPLACE SKILLS THAT ARE HIGHLY VALUED BY ENTREPRENEURS AND EMPLOYERS. THE PROGRAM IS STRUCTURED FOR PARTICIPANTS FOR BUSINESS OR CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ENTREPRENEUR OR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. THE GEWELS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR AT RISK INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE STRIVING TO IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE, BY ESTABLISHING A CONSISTENT SOURCE OF INCOME AND A FOUNDATION FOR GROWTH WHICH IS IN DIRECT ALIGNMENT WITH THE MISSION STATEMENT, VISION AND CORE COMPETENCIES OF PAVING GREAT FUTURES (PGF). THE GEWELS PROGRAM HAS 4 COMPONENTS: 1)RESTORATIVE PRACTICES 2)OFFICE ADMINISTRATION 3) BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY 4)PAVING GREAT FUTURES CORE VALUES.DURING THE 10 WEEKS SOME OF THE TOPICS THAT OUR PARTICIPANTS LEARNED WERE MICROSOFT OFFICE; EXCEL, WORD AND POWERPOINT. THEY LEARNED TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND HOW TO CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN A PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT. WE HAD SEVERAL SPEAKERS WHO RANGED FROM BUSINESS OWNERS TO ADMIN PROFESSIONALS. ONE OF OUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENTS WAS FIRST THE RESTORATIVE PRACTICES CIRCLE, THIS COMPONENT THAT RESONATED WITH EVERY PARTICIPANT IN THE PROGRAM. THIS PRACTICE INCLUDED A MENTAL HEALTH CHECK-IN TO DISCUSS CURRENT EVENTS, WINS AND FRUSTRATIONS. THE GOAL OF RESTORATIVE PRACTICES WAS TO PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE WHERE WOMEN COULD EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS, BUILDING A SISTERHOOD AMONG FACILITATORS AND THE PARTICIPANTS, WHERE THERE ARE SO MANY COMMONALITIES AND SHARED BURDENS.OUR SECOND MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT WAS THE BUSINESS "SHARK TANK" STYLE PRESENTATION, THIS WAS THE CULMINATING FINAL PROJECT PRESENTED BY OUR PARTICIPANTS. THE PAVING GREAT FUTURES EXECUTIVE TEAM WAS PRESENT ALONG WITH OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS TO POSE QUESTIONS AND GIVE THE LADIES THE SPACE TO SHOWCASE ALL THAT THEY HAD LEARNED OVER THE LAST 10 WEEKS. THEIR RESPONSES TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INVESTING IN THE BUSINESS PRESENTED, WAS THE IDEAL EXEMPLIFICATION OF THE PARTICIPANTS' HARD WORK AND KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM THIS COURSE. THESE PRESENTATIONS ALLOWED THE WOMEN TO DEVELOP THEIR BUSINESS IDEAS AND WAS A FUN AND INNOVATIVE WAY TO MEASURE THE SUCCESS OF THIS PILOT PROGRAM. WHEN THE PARTICIPANTS WERE ASKED WHAT WERE SOME OF THEIR BIGGEST LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE PROGRAM SOME OF THE RESPONSES INCLUDED SISTERHOOD AND REALIZING I AM NOT ALONE. CONFIDENCE TO DO GREAT WORK, BUDGET PLAN, FOLLOW OUR SAVINGS PLAN AND LOOK INTO LLC FORMATION. THE FACILITATORS & GROUP LEADERS WERE VERY PROFESSIONAL BUT YET IN A WAY THAT THE CLASS COULD RELATE TO.3RD ACCOMPLISHMENT: WE LAUNCHED H.I.R.E. (HELPING INDIVIDUALS RETAIN EMPLOYMENT) IS A PROGRAM FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND OFFERED BY PAVING GREAT FUTURES INTENDED TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH JUSTICE INVOLVED BACKGROUNDS TRANSITION INTO VIABLE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. THE GOAL IS TO ASSIST EACH PARTICIPANT DEVELOP PERSONALLY AS THEY TRANSITION INTO PROFESSIONAL WORK ENVIRONMENTS, AND HELP EACH ONE ACQUIRE AND SUSTAIN EMPLOYMENT VIA PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS. IT IS THROUGH THE ACQUISITION OF PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS THAT ARE TRANSFERABLE THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES IN WHICH WE INTEND TO USE AS A VEHICLE TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS ACQUIRE AND RETAIN THESE NEW ROLES. THIS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS PAVING GREAT FUTURES CORE COMPETENCIES OF LIFE SKILLS AND JOB READINESS AND SPECIFICALLY CATERS TO INDIVIDUALS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 24. PAVING GREAT FUTURES INTENDS TO COMPENSATE PARTICIPANTS FOR COMPLETING THE 4 SESSION H.I.R.E. CURRICULUM AND ALSO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ACQUIRING THE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION OF THEIR CHOICE. H.I.R.E. CONSIST OF BOTH A COHORT MODEL AND AN INDIVIDUAL MODEL. FOR OUR FIRST YEAR RUNNING THE HIRE PROGRAM. WE HAD 30 PARTICIPANTS ENROLL THIS YEAR AND HELPED 85% WITH EMPLOYMENT. RECIDIVISM WAS UNDER 10% AND WE HELPED 90% OBTAIN CERTIFICATION IN A TRADE.4TH ACCOMPLISHMENT: OUR EMPIRE PROGRAM WHICH IS DESIGNED FOR YOUTH WHO ARE AT RISK FOR INVOLVEMENT IN GANG-RELATED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HUMAN SEX TRAFFICKING, INCARCERATION, HOMELESSNESS, AND VIOLENCE. PARTICIPANTS ARE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM LOW INCOME,HIGH CRIME AREAS IN SAN DIEGO, WHICH INCLUDES INDIVIDUALS WITH MINOR INTELLECTUAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISABILITIES.THE PROGRAM IS DIRECTED BY JAY BOWSER. MR. BOWSER WILL UTILIZE AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR TO ASSIST IN PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION. EMPIRE ACQUIRES INSTRUCTORS FROM VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUNDS, INCLUDING MUSICIANS, STUDIO MANAGERS, STEM INSTRUCTORS, AND ART DIRECTORS WHO DELIVER THE PROGRAMS CONTENT. EMPIRE ALSO UTILIZES VOLUNTEERS FROM THE MUSIC AND ARTS INDUSTRIES TO ASSIST IN TEACHING PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS VALUABLE ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS. ADDITIONALLY, THE PROGRAM INCLUDES A FINANCIAL COMPONENT AS IT PERTAINS TO RUNNING A PROFITABLE MULTIMEDIA OPERATION AND COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL LITERACY DISCUSSIONS. WE GRADUATED 20 AT RISK YOUTH FROM THIS PROGRAM AND PURCHASED A LAPTOP FOR EACH PARTICIPANT. 60% OF THEM WERE ABLE TO MAINTAIN ABOVE A 3.0 AND 100% WERE ABLE TO GRADUATE FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL. 5TH ACCOMPLISHMENT: THROUGH LACED (LEADERSHIP AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT) PROGRAM.PGF HAS MADE PROGRESS IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP BY HELPING INDIVIDUALS GET APPOINTED TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS WITHIN THE CITY, AND FURTHER INFLUENCING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN THE CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD, PROP 47, GANG COMMISSION, AND COMMUNITY REVIEW BOARD, AMONG OTHERS.THE LEADERSHIP AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT (LACED) PROGRAM WORKS TO ENSURE THAT THE COLLECTIVE VOICE OF UNREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES IS BEING HEARD. LACED TRAINS AND EDUCATES YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, AS WELL AS TO ADVOCATE FOR LOCAL DECISION MAKING THAT ADDRESSES CURRENT SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES. COMMUNITY REPRESENTATION IN LOCAL DECISION-MAKING BODIES AND, IDEALLY, ON THE STATE LEVEL IS INTEGRAL TO EFFORTS TO DIRECTLY IMPACT POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION WHICH WILL BENEFIT SAN DIEGOS MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES. WE HAD GRADUATES OF LACED AND THEY HELPED PUT ON A TOWN HALL FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS RUNNING FOR OFFICE. THROUGH THIS PLATFORM OR COMMUNITY WAS ABLE TO GET EDUCATED ON ITS POLITICAL CHOICES THERE ASSISTING IN MAKING AN EDUCATED CHOICE.