LA Fellows Graduates its 10th Cohort

On Friday, September 19th, the LA Fellows program reached a milestone, graduating it's 10th class in a ceremony at Los Angeles Valley College's Monarch Hall. LA Fellows are unemployed mid-career professionals who commit to nine weeks of classroom instruction in professional development and job search techniques and 100 hours of project-based volunteerism in order to get back to work faster.

Lennie Cuifo, Director of the Job Training Office at Los Angeles Valley College,
addresses the capacity crowd.



Sara Lamog one of the two Fellows chosen by the class to speak
on behalf of the cohort, reflected on the road to becoming an expert,
what it means to be a Fellow, and moving forward.

Derrick Clemons, the other speaker chosen to represent the cohort
 at the podium, spoke about why he became an LA  Fellow
 and how the experience has changed them all.



Dr. Sue Carleo, former President of Los Angeles Valley College
and founding member of the LA Fellows Advisory Committee,
spoke to the Fellows about carrying on the legacy.

Congressman Tony Cardenas sent beautiful framed certificates for each of the LA Fellows to recognize the work they did through the program. Field Representative Brian Gavidia presented them to the Fellows with inspiring words of appreciation and encouragement.








Sydney Kamlager, District Director for Senator Holly Mitchell, shakes the hand
of one of 4 graduating veterans, Michael Robison, before presenting
a certificate of recognition on behalf of the senator (below).

Derrick Clemons accepts his certificate.

Los Angeles City Council Member Paul Krekorian, a long-time supporter of the LA Fellows program, also provided personalized certificates for the Fellows. Field Deputy Nikki Ezhari attended the ceremony on his behalf and congratulated each Fellow as she presented the certificate. 



Job Training Director Lennie Ciufo presents a certificate to LA Fellow Yoonsin Park
while WorkSource representatives, Barbara Washington and Doni Hooker, and
Instructor Roberto Gutierrez look on, applauding. The Canoga Park WorkSource center
provided the funding to make this cohort possible.

LA Fellows Cohort 10

LA Fellows Champion Sue Carleo Recognized as a Champion of Education

The Valley Economic Alliance held its 14th annual Steve Allen Excellence in Education awards ceremony at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys on Monday, May 19th. The awards, named after longtime Valley resident and legendary entertainer Steve Allen, salute the national achievements of local schools and people.

“When you see these outstanding examples of success, it’s really heartwarming,” Alliance officer David Fleming said.

This year’s Champion of Education Award went to former Los Angeles Valley College President Sue Carleo. During her five-year tenure, Carleo helped strengthen communication between school officials and community members. She retired last year.

Dr. Carleo was instrumental in making the connection between the problems of rising unemployment and the crisis of decreased resources in the nonprofit sector and how placing skilled, unemployed professionals in meaningful roles of volunteerism could work to solve both issues. It was largely through her vision that the LA Fellows program was born, and through her guidance and care that it has flourished and grown into the sucess it is today.

“Education is the way to pass on the best values of the present to our future generations,” Carleo said as she received the award from the Alliance. “I wish you all the best as you continue this good work, and I am proud to have been part of it.”

Distinguished Guests at Cohort 9 Graduation

In addition to our class speakers, there were a host of distinguished guests present at the LA Fellows graduation ceremony for Cohort 9. They expressed overwhelming support and confidence in the power of this program to assist mid-career professionals in gaining skills and moving back into re-employment faster. Joining us that day were:

Glyn Milburn, representing the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti for the Office of Economic Development



Aura Garcia, Mayor Garcetti's East San Fernando Valley Area Representative

Lennie Ciufo, Director, LAVC Job Training

LAVC President Alma Johnson-Hawkins

Sue Carleo, Founding member of LA Fellows Program and
former President of Los Angeles Valley College 

 

President Johnson-Hawkins with Sydney Kamlager, who attended representing the office of Senator Holly J. Mitchell.

Senator Holly Mitchell sent certificates of recognition for each of the Fellows to commemorate the day.  The Fellows were also presented with certificates of achievement provided by Councilperson Paul Krekorian, who represents the 2nd District.

 

Several of our instructors took to the podium with advice and words of wisdom to inspire the Fellows as they move forward to the next step of the journey.

Instructor Lynnette Ward

Instructor Doug Card

Instructor Larry Braman

Instructor Jim Marteney

Instructor Keri Luna

There were 16 nonprofit organizations hosting LA Fellows this cohort and several attended the ceremony. We were priviledged to welcome guests from Liberty Hill, The Southern California Center for Nonprofit Management, Children's Burn Foundation, Senator Holly J. Mitchell's office, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Representatives from the WorkSource centers who invest not just funding but encouragement, case management, expertise, and effort to assist the Fellows through the program and beyond were there in full force. We had representatives from the JVS Northeast San Fernando Valley center, Community Career Development, and the Van Nuys and Canoga Park locations of ResCare Workforce Services.

David Fierro, Coordinator for the Veterans Community Employment Development program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who has been very generous in sharing employment opportunities and events with our office, joined us. Special certificates were awarded to our two veterans from this class, CJ de Dios who served in the Army, and Diana Offen who served in the Air Force.


LAVC President Alma Johnson-Hawkins (center left) shakes the hand of Fellows graduate Diana Offen as Lennie Ciufo and Sydney Kamlager, District Director for Senator Holly Mitchell, look on. 

Fellow Ruscha Robbins goes through the receiving line, receiving her certificate and handshake for completing the program and delivering one of the three gradute speeches of the day.

 We'd like to thank all of our speakers, supporters and guests for attending what was one of our best ceremonies yet. The LA Fellows program relies on the partnership of our network for its success and ongoing promise of empowering and enriching the workforce of our city. Thank you!