I have such gratitude for all who stepped forward to support our annual fundraiser, Cowboy Cab. Thank you to the businesses and community members who provided auction items, supplies and services! Thank you to the 45 volunteers who offered their talents and time! Thank you to the Event Committee who spent countless hours planning and organizing! Thank you to the 18 amazing teens who worked the event and made us so proud! Thank you to our community for the sold out event, your smiling faces and your enormous support! Thank you for helping us to empower teens, through employment and career resources, to become happy, healthy and contributing members of their community.

With kindness,

 

 

Western Swing Hall of Fame recipient Tommy Thomsen had the audience two-steppin' between bites of a traditional western barbecue served by 18 teens from our Lovin' Oven Event Services.  

 

Jennifer Lopez, Herlinda Herrandez & Jarithza Castellanos

Jillianne Irving & Lizette Hernandez

 

 

 

   

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Don't miss next year's Cowboy Cab!  

 

Annie Falandes will teach art again this summer at the No Name Cafe in the Sonoma Valley High School. Classes are Wednesday from 12:00-4:30pm. The Workshops are from June 19 to July 30.

Annie is a volunteer with Sonoma Valley Teen Services who is sponsoring the workshop. "This summer's art classes are a way to play with colors, different artistic media, learn art techniques and have a good time. Kids of any age are welcome.

For information about the classes or directions to the No Name Caf�, please contact Annie at 938-3209 or [email protected].  Drop-ins are also invited. 

 

 
Jason Davis, recipient of the
Business Award for Academic Excellence! 

Jason Davis began participating in Art Wednesday as a Freshmen at Sonoma High. When he began, he was a great stencil artist who worked entirely in black and white, using spray paint and stencils he created.  He participated in the program for all 4 years of high school, and by the time he was a Junior, Annie had him working in all kinds of mediums but most importantly using color, he completed two striking, large-scale works of art in oil paints.

Jason stayed involved in Art Wednesday all through high school. He received a number of scholarships and went off to college 4 years ago to UC Santa Cruz and is graduating this year with honors. He has stayed in touch with all the folks who supported him, sending letters to update them on his successes, which have been many. He already has a paid internship with a full-time job promise with Plantronics Corporation.  

We are so very proud of him and the work that SVTS's does to promote teens to become happy productive adults.  Jason is certainly a poster child but definitely not the only one.

To see more about Jason please look at his website at

Skills for Life Program (SFL) is a 6-week set of workshops with participation by local business professionals, including Employment 101, Attitude and Communication, Resume and Cover Letter Development, Financial Literacy, Dress for Success, and Mock Interview Practice. Upon successful completion of all 6 modules teens receive a certificate and are qualified to be placed in an internship position.
 
Internship Program
The Internship Program is the hands-on learning and on-the-job, soft-skill evaluation component. One to three month placements consist of paid, subsidized and unpaid positions with SVTS, other non-profits and local businesses. Focus is on providing the teen job experience in the industry of interest. Contracts are developed and agreed upon between SVTS, teen participant and employer to guarantee specific learning opportunities. These positions have an agreed end date and require educational milestones. Payroll services may also be available to participating employers. Preference for job placement will be given to those students that have successfully completed the internship program as they will now be "Certified Ready to Work."