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Rubicon Participants honor Dr. King by developing a community garden in North Richmond

By Rubicon Admin February 3, 2020

by Alisha Semplar, Community Connections Program Manager

A group of Rubicon participants and staff spent MLK Day servign alongside North Richmond residents for Urban Tilth's "Monarchs & Medicine" community event. The morning opened beautifully as Rubicon participants and Participant Advisory Board (PAB) leaders enjoyed a quick cup of coffee and breakfast before heading into the rich soil to begin planting trees, mustard plants, collard greens and other various seasonal vegetables.

A brief orientation opened the event at 9 a.m. as all volunteers were ushered to their respective work stations. Our work for the day included seed planting, tree planting, turning compost (prepping crop rows), filling wheelbarrows with soil for transport to tree planting site, shed structure construction, weed elimination, etc.

PAB leader Gail engaged in preparing rows of compost for crop implantation while PAB member Darease supported her two young children with seed planting in the tent. Alex, a PAB member and resident of the North Richmond Community shared: 

“It feels good to contribute to a much needed community garden in a community that seems to be neglected and filled with poverty. Dr. King would be proud to see this large group of diverse folks out here today!”

Rubicon participant LaVonda spent time working closely with community members and Urban Tilth staff. She was able to connect to the weekly volunteer opportunity. “I am excited to continue this work on Saturdays. Hopefully my connection to this opportunity will guide me to a permanent gig providing service to my community.” In total, three participants have opted to continue with the farm volunteer efforts at least once a month on Saturdays.

Rubicon participants' children exhibited jovial spirits as they gained a sense of accomplishment by digging, planting and engaging in an activity that they didn’t classify as “work”. Parents commented on the improvement of their children’s mood as they spent almost five hours in the outdoors, enjoying nature and the beauty of planting healthy and nutritious food.

All participants received T-shirts, a continental breakfast and a healthy organic lunch comprised of savory soups prepared with nutritious ingredients similar to the crops planted that day. Vegan options were provided and served by Urban Tilth Executive Director, Doria Robinson and Urban Tilth staff.

Thank you to Urban Tilth for organizing this service day and for helping our community build a more sustainable, healthy, and just food system!

 

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Paying it Forward: Bobby’s Story

By Rubicon Admin November 21, 2019

Bobby has been involved with Rubicon since 2017 as a participant, mentor, and active member of the Participant Advisory Board. Bobby has served on interview panels and strategic plan work groups to provide feedback to the organization and seeks any and all opportunities to give back.

Bobby recently visited Rubicon to speak to Job Club members about ACE Hardware, where he has been employed for the past two years. ACE is a background-friendly employer – it assesses job candidates based on their qualifications without regard to past criminal justice involvement -- and it is recruiting for multiple positions in the East Bay. Bobby talked about his role at ACE and was generous in offering tips to participants who were interested in applying -- everything from how to communicate with the hiring manager to the typical clientele at local stores. He was relatable, honest, supportive, encouraging, and ready to advocate for anyone from Rubicon.

Following a line of participants who asked Bobby to review their resumes and put in a good word for their applications, Bobby predicted that at least 1-2 would have a job that same day! He said he could see it on their faces that they were ready for the opportunity: “They’re eager, they ask questions, and they’re ready to take it to the next level.”

When asked what brought him to Job Club, Bobby said “paying it forward makes me happy. This program helped me, and I am at a place now where I have the opportunity to be of help. It all starts with one person, and I want to be that person for somebody.”

Growing up on a horse ranch in Oakley, California, Bobby learned a lot of valuable skills; he taught himself how to be handy, and he also learned to communicate well with people from backgrounds different than his own.

Before coming to Rubicon Programs, Bobby knew how to get a job, and he had done it before. He had the skills to be successful on his own; he was resourceful, insightful, and eager to share his experiences. What was missing at the time he initially came to Rubicon, according to Bobby, was confidence.

Coming out of incarceration, Bobby was unsure of himself and his future prospects. His involvement with the system left him feeling like there was no room for mistakes, and that everyone was expecting perfection. Bobby was looking for someone to relate to, someone who could help build his confidence and see what was possible for his future.

“I’m a people-person, I get along well with people, but Rubicon staff were different. They are everyday people…they made the workshops interesting and fun, and they kept it real -- 100% honest, and I respect that.”

Bobby began working with his Impact Coach, Sam, during his participation in Rubicon’s foundations workshops. The Impact Coach serves as the primary relationship for each participant, providing support and guidance through the duration of their work with Rubicon. At Rubicon, we believe that the relationship is the intervention, and the intervention is the relationship. As Bobby put it, “when someone believes in you, you believe in yourself.”

Bobby quickly emerged as a leader in his cohort. Shortly after completing the two-week intensive workshops, Bobby worked with his Employment Coach to search for a job and secured a position at ACE Hardware. Within his first year of employment, Bobby was promoted to a supervisory position.

When asked what he likes most about his job at ACE, Bobby responded, “I like the customers. I have a gift that people radiate to me; they really like talking to me.”

Bobby described one particular customer, an older woman, who came into the store right after Bobby left to take his lunch break. She insisted on only dealing with Bobby and waited the full hour until he returned, eager for him to help her.

Another customer who visited the store asked for Bobby by name. She explained that her sister recently got some help with a landscaping project. “Her lawn looks gorgeous!” she exclaimed. “She told me I had to come and see you.”

“It gives me a really good feeling to help someone and to see them smile,” said Bobby.

Bobby’s own experience and successes enable him to see the same great potential in the participants walking through Rubicon’s doors today. As Bobby described one participant whom he already connected to a job opportunity, he said “I take chances on people. In prison, you work hard and you don’t show up late. Once you have a real job, you already know how to get work done and the value of getting paid for it.”

As a leader on Rubicon’s Participant Advisory Board (PAB), Bobby assists with developing the agenda for monthly meetings, facilitating meetings, recruiting his peers to the PAB, and setting a positive example for all new members. Rubicon’s Connections Manager said, “Bobby has set his sights on reaching back to assist participants with developing skill sets that they had not focused on developing before.”

When Rubicon set out to develop and refine our Theory of Change, Bobby was invited to the table to contribute his ideas. Bobby shared his experiences and the positive impact that Rubicon’s model had on his life; he vocalized the needs of his peers and ways that the program model could further assist program participants on their road to success.

Reflecting on his future, Bobby shared that “having the right supports and someone to push you makes the difference.” Rubicon was that difference for Bobby, and now he is the difference for so many others.

As he got up to leave, Bobby paused and then reached into his pocket and pulled out a smooth, clear stone. “They gave me this stone at my Rubicon Stepping Stones Ceremony. I carry it with me every day, everywhere I go – it’s a reminder to take everything one step at a time.”

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Rubicon’s Chief Program Officer Featured in Diversity Journal: Women Worth Watching Edition

By Ally October 29, 2019

Rubicon Programs' Chief Program Officer, Dr. Carole "DC" Dorham-Kelly was recently featured in Diversity Journal 2019 Women Worth Watching® Edition! 

Read below for a preview of her insightful interview about work-life balance, or click here for the full edition (page 154). 

Everywhere There Are Women, There Are Leaders

There was a time in my career when I believed that being a mother would limit my professional advancement...Reconciling my attitudes and beliefs about women, family, and career facilitated my recovery from burnout. I no longer pursue career advancement from a place of shame, fear, or deficit related to my womanhood. In less than two years, I was promoted to the position of chief program officer at my current agency. In this positive work environment, the commitment, dedication, flexibility, and multitasking associated with motherhood, are embraced, not shunned...As a black woman in leadership, I embrace opportunities to mentor, empower, and affirm women, and in particular, women of color. 

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Announcing East Bay State of Mind 2019

By Rubicon Admin January 18, 2019

It's that time of year, again! East Bay State of Mind is Rubicon’s special event that raises funds and awareness for our life-changing services.

 

Thursday, April 4, 2019 | 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Starline Social Club |  map

36 Martin Luther King Jr Way | Oakland, CA

 

BUY TICKETS OR A SPONSORSHIP BY CREDIT CARD HERE

 

Community connections are a core part of how Rubicon works to achieve its mission because we know that no one person or organization can break this cycle alone. It takes many collaborators -- our participants, staff, and you. East Bay State of Mind is an opportunity to treat yourself, and your guests, to a fun and inspiring evening in support of Rubicon’s vision of an East Bay without poverty.

About Our Values Awardees & Keynote Speaker

This year we're hosting our second annual values awards: celebrating the community leaders who made real change happen, all while demonstrating our core values of hope, humility and justice for all.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship of East Bay State of Mind connects your business or organization with people who are passionate about creating an equitable East Bay for all. We offer sponsorship packages for both business and individuals. 

View our sponsorship packages:

Corporate Sponsorship >>

Individual Sponsorship >>

 

OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS 

(as of 2/14/2019)

Corporate Sponsors

Renewal Level:

East Bay Community Foundation
First Republic Bank
Kaiser Permanente
Rubicon Bakers
Virginia's Live a Little
Seyfarth Shaw

Individual Sponsors

Paul Leonard
Claire Levay-Young
Sophia Loh
Karen Norwood
Mary Purcell
John Shrewsberry
Sarah Sternau
Tatiana Ware

 

Corporate Event Partners

Heffernan Insurance Brokers

 

Special Thanks & In-Kind Donors

Mulberry's Market

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Making the Most of Change: Marthe’s Story

By Rubicon Admin December 27, 2018

Breaking poverty takes multiple strategies – and an affinity for change. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.

That’s why Rubicon Programs has developed multiple approaches tailored to meet the needs of individuals, and of different East Bay communities.

In Oakland and Hayward, Rubicon offers job placement and career development services to those working to rise out of unemployment. Marthe is one of these individuals, and she’s striving to break poverty, make change and accomplish the goals she’s set for her life in a new land.

“I escaped violence in my home country of Cameroon,” Marthe says. “My family – my daughter, my grandson, and my sisters, nephews and nieces – brought me to Hayward.”

In Cameroon, Marthe was a nurse in a large hospital. She helped people. She made them well again.

“I like to take care of people,” she says. “I’ve been doing that my whole life. It makes me happy.”

Unfortunately, her back can no longer take the long hours on her feet, picking up patients and moving heavy equipment. She has come to the realization that she’s going to have to make a career change to start earning a living in her new home.

“Before Rubicon, I had been going to adult school to learn English, all while taking care of my grandson, she says. “Then, when I got here, I met with Ms. Celeste. She listened to me and connected me with my Career Advisor, Amabella.”

Marthe and Amabella soon went over her work history and strengths, and talked over her career options. Marthe wanted to continue helping people, but she had to find a workplace that could accommodate her back issues.

Together, they arrived at a solution: a new(ish) career in phlebotomy. As a phlebotomist, she could do similar work – drawing blood from patients – while staying off of her feet.

To become a phlebotomist though, she would need to learn the latest office technology, take phlebotomy classes and get certified.

“I don’t really have much experience with computers,” she adds. “So, I’ve been taking basic computer classes here every Thursday. I’m learning Outlook and Excel.”

All of these courses and certifications take time. In the meantime, she would still need to pay her bills.

Marthe and the Rubicon team decided to first focus on getting her into a more accessible job for the near future, as a caregiver, taking care of children with disabilities. Recently, she has begun applying for positions in this new field.

Amabella has helped her prepare her resume, and has taught her interview skills, as well as tips on how to ace a phone interview. They’ve done mock interviews and she has received one-one-one coaching sessions that have strengthened her soft skills and improved her confidence.

“Amabella makes me feel comfortable,” she says. “I can tell her anything. I can share anything.”

In other words, she meets her where she is.

“Since my first day, I have worried about my accent. But she assured me that it isn’t an issue. She’s an immigrant, too. She knows what I’m going through.”

Marthe is beyond grateful for all of this support.

“I feel more confident. I’m getting over the anxiety of it all.”

Amabella always says, “You’re going to win in that interview!” And it is that enthusiasm that keeps Marthe going as she tackles this sometimes daunting process.

“I’ve never taken care of children with disabilities,” she says. “But I’m eager to learn. And I’m optimistic for the future.”

Help Rubicon continue to break poverty by donating or explore the full participant journey here.

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