Page 1 • San Jose Conservation Corps & Charter School • www.SJCCCharterSchool.org

San Jose Conservation Corps & Charter School

Changing LivesEDUCATING THE WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE

Annual Report 2011-2012

Page 2 • San Jose Conservation Corps & Charter School • www.SJCCCharterSchool.org

San Jose Conservation Corps & Charter School Graduates

Dear Friends and Supporters:

This year the San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School graduated 432 former high school drop-outs with a high school diploma. These young men and women took their first step into the future. Our Charter School is unique because of a few leaders in the State and I got Special Legislation passed to serve those 18 and older enabling them to earn a high school diploma. My belief is that everyone in California is entitled to a high school diploma, regardless of age.

In today’s competitive job market, having a high school diploma is essential. Many of our students are the first in their family to graduate. This gives them hope to achieve their goals and an opportunity to continue post-second-ary education and find a worthwhile job in Silicon Valley.

You do not need a ton of money to make a huge differ-ence. We take tax takers and turn them into tax makers who buy homes, spend their money at local supermar-kets, hardware stores and gas stations. They open bank ac-counts, have health insurance and now can raise a family. This is a complete turnaround.

Our graduates achieve what they decide to achieve. They become who they decide to become. The goals that they have set, turn out to be the ones they reach. Our job is to keep encouraging them to stay the course. “There is no way you can make a difference, if you don’t decide to make a difference in your life.”

Nelson Mandela achieved the liberation of South Africa because he decided to. FDR decided to establish the Civil-ian Conservation Corps in 1930. Governor Jerry Brown decided to establish the California Conservation Corps. We decided to establish the San Jose Conservation Corps

26 years ago. We have served 23,000 young people who are all successful in life. Every single thing we value has happened, because somebody decided to make it hap-pen, and other people decided to help. This includes our Board of Directors, our Advisory Board, our teachers, staff and members of the County.

When you go through life’s tests, you do come out stronger, more confident, and more resilient. Our stu-dents took the initiative to change.

It always happens that when a student makes a positive decision; other people come forward to help. Everyone wants to be part of their success. That is why we are here. We work for the success of our students. Our students have to get up every morning and say to themselves, “I can do it; I will get my high school diploma. I will get my driver’s license. I will continue my education, get a good job, raise a family and become a productive citizen of the community.” Our school and programs enable them to fulfill their dreams.

I want to thank you on behalf of everyone at the San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School.

Sincerely,

A message from the Executive Director

Robert J. HennessyFounder & Executive Directorbob@sjcccharterschool.org408-515-4254

San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School • www.SJCCCharterSchool.org • Page 3

Environmental ProjectsOur Projects Department began in 1988. After enrollment in the

Corps, students are assigned to work in teams on various environmental conservation projects throughout the South Bay area. Students learn work skills on project teams. They acquire environmental job skills through performing community service projects including urban street planting, riparian management, graffiti abatement, park beautification, fire-break construction, park and trail landscaping and maintenance, and non-native species removal.

Their work prevents erosion, wildfires and protects our environment through conservation and preservation.

Corpsmembers work hard to help restore waterways with the Santa Clara County Water District. While on the job, they learn how to rec-ognize native plant species and remove non-native invasive plants. They learn how to use hand, power tools and how to operate equipment such as chain saws, weed wackers, chippers and dump trucks.

Charter SchoolOur school is the hub of all of our programs. In a classroom-based,

comprehensive academic program, students earn credits and meet all of the requirements for a high school diploma. They also learn vocational and leadership skills.

With a focus to enable high school dropouts to graduate, the Charter School operates full time. In addition, we assist and encourage them to further their education at community colleges and universities.

In most cases, the only obstacle preventing them from graduating is passing the exit exam. A total of 432 did that this year. Most of them were the first in their families to graduate from high school.

Students earn high school diplomas through our Charter School

Page 4 • San Jose Conservation Corps & Charter School • www.SJCCCharterSchool.org

Job PlacementSJCC&CS works with employers

to find jobs for our graduates. Stu-dents receive vocational training preparing them for employment.

Our bi-annual job fairs bring in employers looking for trained and entry-level employees.

Every student learns to capitalize on their skills through guidance with resume writing and mock interviews. Area professional offer helpful feedback to each student during mock interviews.

The mission of the San Jose Conservation Corps and

Charter School is to provide youth with a quality high

school education that teaches valuable work and life skills.

This empowers them to become responsible,

productive and caring citizens.

YouthBuild San JoseSince 1997, this program has pro-vided our youth with “tools for life” lessons by teaching marketable skills in the high-wage construction indus-try. They build affordable housing from soil preparation to structure completion.

Students learn accuracy, project planning, blue print reading, and construction math. Safety is always of paramount importance.

Having a full compliment of skills make our construction graduates well rounded for jobs in construction.

RecyclingThe San Jose Conservation Corps & Charter School

also has a multi-faceted recycling program that is a statewide model. Through an annual grant from CalRecycle and local funding, students learn the skills needed to operate a recycling program. This includes developing routes, providing customer service, do-ing daily pick-ups driving large trucks and customer service.

Since 1990, this program has provided students with hands-on recycling instruction. The Recyling Pro-gram collects and recycles tons of materials each year. On average, corpsmembers recycle 1,290,594 CRV beverage containers and reduce 169.87 metric tons of carbon dioxide

Services fall into four categories:• Special events: you will see corpsmembers at large

venues in the South Bay area including street fairs and music events.

• Collections: we provide collection services to restaurants, corporate and government offices.

• Stadium services: The San Jose Sharks and other sports teams partner with SJCC&CS in keeping recylables out of the waste stream.

• Education: our corpsmembers provide education in the necessity to recycle at all of our events and throughout the school systems in the South Bay.

San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School • www.SJCCCharterSchool.org • Page 5

Good afternoon fellow graduates, board members, Mr. Bob Hennessy and last but not least, family and friends.

Today, I stand before you a changed man. As a child, I looked up to my older brother. But that wasn’t always in my best interest. I could remember, being suspended from school as early as the second grade. I just wanted to be like my older brother.

My troubles progressed from there. By the time I was in junior high, I started hanging out with gang members. That’s also when I began with drugs and started ditching class.

When I reached high school, my decision making got worse. My behavior and actions got me kicked out of school by my junior year. I consider myself lucky that my reckless behavior didn’t get me in trouble sooner.

But that luck did not last. Soon after I turned 18, I ended up in jail and ultimately in prison. Less than a year ago, I was released from prison…for the last time! I was 24 years old and I knew something had to change. My parents are close to being in their seventies and I thought before they

leave this world they should at least experience the real joys of parenting…their child’s success. I decided I was going to live on the straight and narrow. That is what led me here, to the San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School.

I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy journey, but I did know I was going to do it! After eight years of being out

of school, I realized that school wasn’t that bad. In fact, I was starting to experience small successes. Someone told me that the most important thing in life is showing up and that has stuck with me. In fact, last month, I was awarded numerous certificates for my attendance, work ethic, personal achievements and my safe driving.

Now, I am in the job training program. I work for the recycling department where I have learned to drive large scale trucks and navigate around town.

And for the first time in my life, I can see a future! I’m enrolled in college and although I am not sure what I will major in, I know for sure, that’s where I need to go. Just like I accomplished here, I will accomplish. In the meantime, I hope to obtain my class A driver license, so I can make some honest money to put myself through college.

Now I hope one day, my big brother can look up to me as I looked up to him so many years ago. Because the one thing I know is this:

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths.

When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender.

That is strength.

Gilberto Medina’s January 2013 Graduation Speech

Gilberto delivers his graduation speech to fellow graduates, families and honored guests.

Daycare provides ‘peace of mind’ to parentsThousands of young parents give up on traditional high schools as

soon as their first child is born. Many of these parents are 15 and 16 years of age. With child care on campus, student parents drop their children off on their way to school or work.

These young parents gain peace mind knowing that their children will be well cared for. While earning a diploma and getting their lives on track, they also learn parenting skills. SJCC&CS believes that quality preschool education leads to success in elementary school and beyond.

Page 6 • San Jose Conservation Corps & Charter School • www.SJCCCharterSchool.org

29.6%

15.9%14.6%

1.0%2.1%

35.9%

0.9%

State Contracts (CalRecycle, Prop 84 & CCC) Local Service Contracts

Federal Contracts Contributions

Non-cash contributions Charter School

Other Income

Revenue combined with Capital Grant by funding sources State Contracts (CalRecycle, Prop 84 & CCC) 2,102,673Local Service Contracts 1,126,748Federal Contracts 1,034,417Contributions 69,288Non-cash Contributions 151,922Charter School 2,546,105Other Income 60,942Total Revenue 7,092,094

52%

36%

0% 9%3%

Corpsmember training

Charter School

Fundraising

Management & General

Capital Expenses

Expenses Corpsmember Training $3,485,057Charter School $2,385,182Fundraising $27,324Management & General $607,481Capital Expenses $213,050Total Expenses $6,718,094 Contribution to Reserve $374,001

Financials

San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School • www.SJCCCharterSchool.org • Page 7

Jon W. BallCharles (Chuck) ToeniskoetterAlex C. TorresRichard E. De La RosaMark LazzariniJim StochNada DunaJack HayesDennis KingDarren FurtadoJarod BunaJoe SweeneyArmando LamasFrank J. DorsaRich SasoRick AlpersRich Mongarro

Advisory Board

Executive Director Robert J. Hennessy

President Stephen (Tim) Quigley, Jr.

Vice President Mark Lazzarini

Chief Financial Officer Terence M. Kane

Secretary Jim Stoch

Past President Rich De La Rosa

Mahmood A. KhanMarjorie MatthewsHamid SaadatBob Nunez Jess Gutierrez Stephanie OroscoDaniel S. Law

Board of Directors

Mayor Chuck Reed gives recognition to students, board members and the Executive Director Bob Hennessy for the Corps’ ongoing success in changing lives.

Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Nora Campos presents a resolution from the State of California congratulating YouthBuild San Jose for their great work.

Principal Gina Ortiz speaks at the five-year renewal of our Charter School approved by East Side Union High School.

Funders Davidson Family Foundation

San Jose Water Company

Heritage Bank

PGE Community Investment

Wells Fargo Foundation

San Jose Rotary

Cilker Family Foundation

SanDisk Corporation Fund

YouthBuild USA

Stella B. Gross Foundation

Wells Fargo Marketing

Knight Foundation

Leo M. Shortino Foundation

City of San Jose BEST Program

Robert Half International

Starbucks Foundation

YouthBuild AmeriCorps

Individual ContributorsJesse Haro

Steven Lopes

Leslie Murdock and Kathy Hall

Richard DeLaRosa

Jess and Patricia Gutierrez

Robert and Geraldine Hennessy

Scott and Kathleen Yoo

Terence and Judith Kane

Mark and Jeanne Lazzarini

Mahmood and Pirjo Khan

Robert Nunez

Ms. Stephanie Orosco

Hamid and Mina Saadat

James and Mary Stoch

Margie Matthews

Tim Quigley