Blog
Q&A with Elaine Tannous, Bilingual Mental Health Clinician
Posted: December 9, 2021
Elaine Tannous is Canal Alliance’s Bilingual Mental Health Clinician. We asked her about mental health needs and the impact of our services.
Meet Francisco Gomez: entrepreneur and successful small business owner
Posted: November 4, 2021
What does it take to launch a successful small business during a pandemic? For Francisco Gomez, it required hard work, careful planning, and the application of practical skills acquired through the Workforce Program. We caught up with this busy entrepreneur to learn about his journey, over eight years in the United States, and his plans to grow F.G. Window Cleaning.
Stories from the front lines: Henry Velasquez, Youth Education Manager
Posted: August 12, 2021
When schools first went to remote teaching, Henry Velasquez, UP! Youth Education Manager, worked with a student who had no internet access and as a result, was completely disconnected from teachers, classes, and assignments. One year later, Henry reports that based on the persistence of the student, and with support from UP! staff, the student is on track.
Once a newcomer, Ana Tafolla is using her Master’s Degree to build a path for new immigrant youth
Posted: August 12, 2021
When Ana Tafolla arrived in Marin as a teenager, she began high school in San Rafael and joined the afterschool program for newcomers at Canal Alliance. Today, Ana is Senior Manager for Social Services and leads a critical new initiative for newly arrived immigrant youth known as Opportunity for Youth (OFY).
Stories from the Front Lines: One Year Later
Posted: July 22, 2021
Laura Jiménez-Diecks, Supervising Case Manager, shared a client story that spoke to the severe impact of COVID-19 on immigrant families in Marin. Now, about a year later, Laura reflects on the response effort, a “metamorphosis over the course of the pandemic.”
Jhovanny, Workforce Development graduate builds a career in construction
Posted: July 22, 2021
Jhovanny, a Workforce Development graduate says he “advanced five years in my career by taking the three-month Construction Classes”
Overcoming entrepreneurial obstacles during the pandemic
Posted: May 12, 2021
Nadia Montoya learned about Canal Alliance’s Construyendo Mi Negocio (“Building My Business”) class from friends. “It was the perfect place to receive support to start my own business,” Nadia remarked. She is now one year into the development of Nadia’s Dessert, a bakery offering organic, wheat-free, and vegan products with minimal sugar.
Now, she plans to open her own bakery with the knowledge she acquired through Canal Alliance.
Stories from the Front Lines: one year later
Posted: May 12, 2021
Regina Vindel, Workforce Supervisor supports students in construction, business, and tax classes as they apply for classes, carry out their learning, graduate, apply for jobs, and enter new workforce positions. She spoke to us about her experiences and conversations while communicating with clients during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis during the past year.
UP! Alumni spotlight – Melanny Lemus
Posted: April 7, 2021
Melanny said that UP! offered different activities and workshops for students to learn life lessons, which boosted her self-esteem and confidence. Melanny graduated from Sonoma State University in 2019 as a double major with a BA in Spanish and a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Management.
Thank you to Lupita for supporting the Canal Community for 22 years
Posted: March 4, 2021
This month, Lupita Magaña, Canal Alliance’s Senior Mentoring Case Manager, celebrates her 22nd anniversary of working to support Latino immigrants to break the generational cycle of poverty. She is currently the longest serving employee with the agency and works within the Social Services department. Lupita is proud to connect community members with resources that they don’t know exist, much less know they can apply for.
