Tag Archive: Education

1. Graduate looks to the future

   October 25, 2022 11:59 am Comments Off on Graduate looks to the future

   

   Maria Espinosa is among Cal Poly Humboldt’s first graduating class of 2022. She has been part of our University Prep program since middle school, took advantage of outdoor enrichment opportunities through high school, worked with our civic engagement team during college, and is among the first group of students in our emerging College to Career program.   

   A decade ago, as a middle school student, Maria joined University Prep (UP!), an intensive after-school-program that provides students with academic and social-emotional support toward the goal of earning a degree at a four-year university.  

   Early on, Maria discovered a passion, and a motivation for her academic studies, by taking advantage of an outdoor wilderness experience at Camp Unalayee in Northern California’s Trinity alps.  “Because of Canal Alliance, I was able to go to camp,” Maria reflects, “and make connections with Point Reyes National Park. I was able to backpack. I finally had access to nature.” 

   In addition to her outdoors experiences, Maria found a safe space at Canal Alliance. In high school, she leaned into utilizing the resources and found a mentor among the staff, including Michael Gomez and Claudia Garcia, College to Career Senior Manager.   

   Maria matriculated at Cal Poly Humbolt, along with a fellow UP! student, Javier Aguirre, but during her junior year of college, the pandemic hit and college went remote.  

   Maria continued her studies, from home, and gained experience working with Canal Alliance as an intern, helping register new voters in the community leading up to the 2020 election. It was an important learning experience, she recalls, and a way to contribute to the community.  

   For many students, including Maria, the pandemic added to stress levels and impacted mental health.  “I reached out to Claudia again,” Maria shares, “because I was having a difficult time in college. But I was able to get therapy through Canal Alliance during my senior year. Having a therapist who was Latina helped me through the process. She understood what I was going through.” 

   “I started working with Maria when she was a freshman in college,” said Claudia. For Claudia, being able to watch her grow throughout her college career and watched her graduate from Cal Poly Humboldt was an honor. 

   “She is passionate about environmentalism and giving back to her community, specifically first-gen Latinx students. I am excited to continue working with her post college and see her continue to break barriers and grow as a person.” said Claudia 

   Maria stayed on track academically, graduating from college in four years, and is gaining professional experience as a racial justice intern. She continues to tap into the support and connections at Canal Alliance and is exploring graduate school and future career paths with Claudia.  

    “I realize,” Maria notes, “that I am not meant to be indoors all day and want to explore I want to do something that I enjoy and go outside.” 

2. Scientist inspires young Latinas

   11:54 am Comments Off on Scientist inspires young Latinas

   

   Krystal Sandza is a technical scientist at BioMarin and a role model for young women in our University Prep program who are exploring STEM careers. This kind of mentorship is critical for students who are the first in their families to attend college.  

   Krystal is also a member of the Canal Alliance board of directors and a passionate advocate for social justice.    

   A former collegiate soccer player, Krystal began her community service as a volunteer soccer coach in Mill Valley.  Leading up to the 2016 election, she was drawn to Canal Alliance and decided to volunteer as a tutor student in University Prep (UP!).  

   “I loved coaching soccer to young girls in Mill Valley, but I knew I wanted to serve the Latino community, and found Canal Alliance’s Up! program,” Krystal recalls. 

   That’s when she met Vivi, Lisett, and Selma – three first cousins (their moms are sisters), all seventh graders. Krystal supported the students in mathematics, science and in whatever subjects they needed help.  

   “I felt so fortunate and it was so much fun getting to know them and to understand what they were learning in school. But more so, it was clear the organization was truly helping the UP! students, through thoughtful attention and consistent support.” 

   Fast forward to 2022: Krystal hosted a tour of the BioMarin campus for college students in Canal Alliance’s emerging College to Career program. The program is designed to help college graduates (former UP! students), make a successful transition to a professional career by providing guidance, making connections, and opening doors to new fields.  

   Krystal was happily surprised to see two of the three young women that she tutored, both biology majors, on the biotech tour. “It is so powerful to watch the young women over the years. I met them in the seventh grade and now they’re pursuing STEM degrees in college.”  

   Krystal’s family has a background in STEM: her mother is a microbiologist and her father an engineer. Still, she reflects, “When people think about getting into biology or a science degree, they think they have to be a nurse or a doctor, or work in a hospital. If you would’ve told me my freshman year in college what my career in biotech would be today, I wouldn’t have believed it.” 

   Krystal was born in Colorado in 1982, and in 1984, her parents started training for the 1988 Calgary Olympics as Puerto Rican skiers. After the Olympics, her family relocated to San Diego; however, the pride of having two Puerto Rican Olympians as parents had already heavily influenced her connection to the Latino community.  

   She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a Bachelor’s of Science in Pharmacology, with an award for her undergraduate research and as the school’s record holder for most soccer goals in one game. It was her undergraduate research which launched her career in Biotechnology.  

   An advocate for Latino social justice and equitable access to education, Krystal joined the Board in 2018 and Chairs the policy and civic engagement committee.  

    “When I joined the Board, I learned the Canal Alliance was not only preparing our UP! students for college, but was advocating for young Latino students at the city-wide level” to align high school graduation requirements with University of California and California State University A-G requirements.  

   Krystal is committed to the mission of Canal Alliance, to break the cycle of generational poverty, particularly through equitable educational opportunities.  “I hope we can keep building as a community for the next 20 years and beyond,” Krystal reflects.  

   

   Krystal Sandza, fourth from the left, with students in the College to Career program and her colleagues at BioMarin. 

3. English language classes open doors for immigrants 

   October 17, 2022 2:48 pm Comments Off on English language classes open doors for immigrants 

   

   When adults improve their communication and technology skills, their education and career opportunities expand, which not only benefits them, but also their families and their community. Recently, students marked the successful completion of our English as a Second Language (ESL) courses at a virtual graduation ceremony. “I want to thank my teachers for helping me learn English and use computers,” one student shared. “I can now do so much because I took this class.”

   Our Adult Education Program operates on a trimester schedule and offers six levels of ESL classes, which include digital literacy instruction and Citizenship classes. “We provide a program that functions like a whole school,” notes Bree Doan, Adult Education Senior Manager, “where 300 students who work with a team of teachers, and volunteer classroom aides and tutors.” 
    
   ESL classes are all remote, a pandemic-related change that has allowed for a greater percentage of women to access the classes. Students are placed in courses, ESL100 to ESL 500, based on the results of a language assessment, and provided with computer coaching and tech support throughout the courses, in cooperation with Technology4Life.  

   The graduation ceremony began with a congratulations to all students; teacher and students in each level were then given an opportunity to share their work and experiences. Students across classes shared dream boards, projects they created in class, or presented about events in U.S. history.  

   Several students reflected on the impact of the digital literacy component of the program. Marisa, an ESL 400 student, said that she has had trouble with technology due to her lack of English skills, but with the help of the course, she can now navigate computers and the web. 

   Luz Maria, an ESL 500 student and working mother, said that remote instruction made the ESL opportunity possible. “It is convenient to have this class in our home. You know a lot of us have to work, cook and take a shower. If I had to go to school in person, it would’ve been hard. I really want to do the class again because every night I learned something different.” 

   Some students are dually enrolled in ESL and Citizenship classes. Citizenship classes support people to prepare for the U.S. Citizenship exam or Naturalization test.

   “I want to thank God for helping me to become a citizen,” shared Marjorie. “And I want to thank Canal Alliance because it’s a beautiful nonprofit. My citizenship interview lasted 25 minutes and I was able to complete my test thanks to this class.” 

   Personalized case management and strong teacher-student relationships are essential; the classes clearly foster a sense of community among the participants. “I had the privilege of being with these students across several course levels,” said teacher Amy Carlson.  “I am sad that they are moving but excited about their growth.” 

   Sonya, the teacher for the English 500 class, also noted that she had the great pleasure of teaching students over several courses.  She works with students at a high level and some students retake the class to reinforce their learning.  

   Reflecting on the impact of the Adult Education program, Bree Doan explains that students benefit from classes, materials such as Chromebooks and books, personalized case management, and referrals to other Canal Alliance services. “Our program is unique in the individualized support we provide each student.” 

   

   Contribute your time and skills 

   Are you interested in helping immigrants gain communication skills to improve their interactions at work, with their child’s school, and in daily life? As a Volunteer ESL Teacher’s Aide, you will assist in an online ESL class one night per week for 13 weeks. You will have the opportunity to practice language instruction and interact with our students in an online classroom setting.  

   Apply today for the Spring trimester starting January 23, 2023. As a Volunteer ESL Conversation Partner, you will meet with a student via Zoom for one hour/week, providing the opportunity to practice speaking and listening skills. Learn more and apply today!  Volunteer – Canal Alliance 

4. The State of the Economy

   September 6, 2022 11:44 am Comments Off on The State of the Economy

   by Jessica Zimmer, NorthBay Biz

   

   North Bay businesses meet high demand, but shore up for a slowdown.

   North Bay companies are doing brisk business in 2022, but profit margins are being undercut by the highest jump in consumer prices in 40 years. Businesses are also experiencing supply chain disruptions. As CEOs head into fall, they’re preparing for harder times by forming partnerships, limiting hours, and adding to their customer base. “Local businesses have learned inflation makes it impossible to have the same profit margins as before the pandemic. Their question is: What’s our new target? The answer pushes them to be resilient and plan for the future,” says Lauren Cartwright, interim director of business development for the Sonoma County Economic Development Board (EDB).

   CEOs should especially keep an eye on housing and energy prices. These are key indicators of spending power, says Robert Eyler, Ph.D., professor of economics at Sonoma State University. “After food, the most regular expenses are rent or a mortgage, utilities and gas. When prices for these go up, residents and visitors have less money to enjoy local products and services,” says Eyler.

   One way to make it through a more difficult year could be regular assessment of regions and sectors. The effort can help a set of businesses estimate demand and adjust prices. Tim Zahner, executive director for Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, says the pent-up domestic demand for leisure travel has dropped a bit since Europe reopened. The return of conferences has brought mid-week visitors to the area. “The lessons our hospitality businesses learned earlier during the pandemic will carry them through this period,” says Zahner. “Offering pleasant and accessible outdoor dining, introducing outdoor recreation opportunities, and ensuring businesses recommend one another, such as a winery suggesting a restaurant, creates a web of cooperation.”

   Tourism and trends

   In 2021, tourism saw a healthy rebound. Visitor spending rose by 28% in Marin County and 58% in Sonoma County. Recovery to pre-pandemic levels may take between two to three years in Napa County, according to Linsey Gallagher, president and CEO of Visit Napa Valley. Visitors spent $469 million in Marin County and $1.97 billion in Sonoma County in 2021.

   A number of issues are creating headwinds for the hospitality industry. Workforce shortages, high gas prices, inflation, talk of a recession, and continued health and safety challenges are all concerns for the hospitality industry and potential visitors. In some cases, businesses need to limit service or hours of operation as a result. “With our core customers coming from the Bay Area out to Sacramento, we are watching how these issues may impact their travel decisions,” says Claudia Vecchio, president and CEO of Sonoma County Tourism. “We will watch activity very closely and balance our marketing outreach to match the needs of our local businesses and potential customers.”

   The fact that U.S. wine consumption is on the rise, up to 3.18 gallons per person in 2021 from 2.93 gallons in 2018, further benefits North Bay tourism, says Chris Thornberg, Ph.D., founding partner for Beacon Economics, a consulting firm in Los Angeles. Thornberg gave a talk about the wine industry to the Sonoma County Winegrape Growers in July. “Right now, there is not a decline in consumer spending. Household net worth increased substantially in 2021. Consumers are still coming to the North Bay for wine and experiences they couldn’t get in 2020,” says Thornberg.

   Napa is cautiously optimistic about growth, says Vincent Smith, community development director for the City of Napa. “For hotels, occupancy is slightly down. Yet guests are staying longer. That results in a positive bump for wine, restaurants, and retail stores. Due to extraordinary local support, we saw very few restaurant closures during the pandemic. Currently the City of Napa is working on diversifying our economy. We’re deepening our relationship to health care-related businesses. We’re exploring opportunities to create more spaces for artists and artisans,” says Smith.

   Smith says retail in Napa is shifting to an “experiential approach.” Guests want to see, touch, and feel items they purchase. “We’re also putting more emphasis on spring travel. Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy Napa, without the hot and dry weather of harvest season,” says Smith.

   North Bay trends for tourism include wellness and self-care, relaxation, and outdoor recreation. “Before the pandemic, people wanted to go places they hadn’t been before. Now people want to go to places that are familiar and comfortable,” says Vecchio. “Of course, they still want to enjoy excellent food, wine, and recreation.”

   Educating guests and residents about how to maintain the natural environment is helping the area remain safe and inviting. This year, Marin, Mendocino and Sonoma counties extended their partnership with Leave No Trace, a Colorado-based nonprofit that addresses stewardship issues including coastal trash and litter.

   Andrew Leary, director of sustainable tourism and partnerships for Leave No Trace, says local businesses play an important role in sharing responsible messages with residents and visitors. “We have seen a tension between increases to public lands visitation, all while parks and protected areas, out of necessity, pare back staff, close facilities such as visitor centers and restrooms, and suspend services such as trash pick up,” says Leary. “Leave No Trace education and instilling values of personal responsibility are more important than ever during these critical moments.”

   Bert Rangel, co-owner of River’s End Inn & Restaurant in Jenner, has seen positive impacts from leaving “mindful nature notes” for guests at the Inn’s

   cabins. A small reminder in a welcome email states guests should maintain a safe distance from wildlife—“seals require at least 150 feet”—and follow local rules regarding natural resources. “We bought a few homes around the area to add to our lodging, but are focused on giving guests a better experience. We’re capping reservations so we can really show off our town of 90, the views and the ocean,” says Rangel.

   More “self-contained” small towns in the North Bay, such as Cloverdale, can see a high number of day visitors from within the county or nearby cities. Building a community of businesses that support one another promotes economic activity downtown, says Neena Hanchett, director of the Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce.

   “Cloverdale’s restaurants, in spite of staffing challenges, seem to be doing well,” says Hanchett. “That’s partly because of rental rates being lower than in other parts of Sonoma County. It’s also because we encourage our residents, fellow business owners and visitors to shop and support Cloverdale in print media, promotions, videos and in real life.”

   Promoting whatever’s not high in price, “chicken one week and fish the next,” and using the best ingredients has allowed her restaurant’s doors to stay open, says Ana Valverde, co-owner of El Milagro in Cloverdale. “We also held off on getting new floors. We collaborated with Sonoma Family Meal, a nonprofit that provided families in need with meals during the early phase of the pandemic, sponsored Cloverdale Little League, and donated five meals a week as prizes to students in local schools. We’re doing a great deal with an approachable and friendly Chamber to become a local favorite,” says Valverde.

   Weathering the pandemic

   The lingering impact of COVID-19 remains a significant influence on the North Bay’s economy. The summer surge of COVID increased unpredictability and staffing shortages.

   Businesses can decrease the risk of spreading COVID by requiring or asking workers and visitors to wear masks. They can also limit the number of customers in a store, keep social distancing measures in place, and encourage workers to remain home when they are sick or contagious. “If the next variant is a real doozy, the option to institute mandates remains” says Matt Brown, communications specialist for Sonoma County. “We’re looking for businesses to be responsible and help to lower the rate of COVID transmission.”

   Local businesses that serve health-care providers are seeing an increase in demand. “We signed a contract with the federal government for $59 million in October 2021. This will double the size of the company. We’ve grown 35% already since March 2020,” says Jim Happ, CEO of Labcon, a medical supplies manufacturer in Petaluma.

   One of Labcon’s most in-demand products is filtered pipette tips. The item allows an instrument that picks up a liquid, while preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus. “The U.S. needs more domestically-produced supplies for COVID testing and vaccine development. Our growth helps federal government and healthcare providers avoid getting such supplies from China,” says Happ.

   According to Dick Herman, founder of 101 MFG, a Santa Rosa-based state association of manufacturing companies, said supply chain disruptions remain a significant concern for North Bay manufacturers. “Also, the pool of skilled labor isn’t what you could find in San Jose,” says Herman. “Right now, a wide variety of companies are seeing high demand for their products. They’re struggling to up-skill the labor force to become more productive and justify wages of $30 an hour. The companies that are doing well are those that are training a flexible, highly-skilled workforce and automating the mundane, repetitive or error-prone tasks. They are able to dial up or dial back production as the market fluctuates.”

   Local agriculture has also been hampered by supply chain concerns and rising inflation. “From gas to equipment, inflation is hitting everyone hard. We’re getting ready to approach harvest. Of course we have concerns about labor,” says Ryan Klobas, CEO of Napa County Farm Bureau. It will be easier to understand the impact of COVID and other issues after harvest, says Klobas. “Everyone always calculates for times of economic uncertainty. The question is whether they will be in the black going into winter,” he adds.

   The cannabis industry is suffering as well. Cultivators, manufacturers, and retailers are seeing an oversupply of cannabis. Fortunately, demand remains high. In April 2022, Solful, a Sebastopol-based cannabis dispensary, opened a second storefront in Santa Rosa.

   Eli Melrod, CEO and co-founder of Solful, says stress and unspent vacation dollars affect demand. “The State of California deeming cannabis an essential business also helped. It removed the stigma of cannabis use,” says Melrod. “Now cannabis is more widely seen as a legitimate part of the North Bay’s economy.”

   Gardening businesses have seen high demand through the pandemic. Still these and businesses that relate to home improvement have seen costs increase during the pandemic.

   Ashley Porter, co-owner of Cloverdale Nursery, builds current and future demand by carrying a wide array of products at a variety of price points. “The desire to reconnect to nature was born out of the pandemic,” says Porter. “[It] is one of the few things that we hope will stick. Being in a drought, we have to pivot even more to educate the public…[to] still foster that connection.”

   Latino business owners

   A responsible way for North Bay counties to ensure their economies remain robust is to support Latino and undocumented business owners. Marcos Suarez, business diversity program manager for Sonoma County EDB, says inflation has hit Latino business owners particularly hard. “If small business owners raise their prices, it could potentially discourage customers from coming in the door,” says Suarez. “With lower-income individuals in particular having decreased spending power, we’re finding new ways to help small business owners be more efficient.”

   Suarez says it is beneficial to celebrate the culmination of long-term efforts like the July grand opening of Mitote Food Park in Roseland. “Yet business owners need to keep refining marketing and accounting strategies. Tightening up menus and inventory and focusing on products and services that are most in demand from customers [are] key to businesses becoming leaner ahead of a potential recession.”

   In Marin County, Canal Alliance, a San Rafael-based nonprofit that offers career and education services to the Latino community, teamed up with the Marin Small Business Development Center to assist individuals applying for grants for microbusinesses. A microbusiness generates $50,000 or less in gross annual receipts.

   The one-time state funding for grants comes from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. “We’ll be giving out $262,500 to qualified microbusinesses, so 105 grants of $2,500 each,” says Miriam Hope Karell, director of the Marin SBDC. “We are currently in the review process. We do not have any numbers yet on who has received awards. We will be distributing these funds at the end of August and beginning of September. Our statistics show 61% of the applicants were women and 52% were minorities.”

   Regina Vindel, workforce career supervisor for Canal Alliance, says language assistance got many small business owners through the application process. Reassurances that undocumented status was not an obstacle allowed new business owners develop the confidence to submit applications. “This is the first time a pandemic funding option was offered that made it easy for undocumented individuals to apply. This funding was accessible to many,” says Vindel.

   

   Suarez adds that Sonoma County EDB is also helping applicants apply for the grants, but fewer individuals in this county are eligible. “That’s because many people already received financial assistance from Cal OSBA earlier through the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. [That] made many of the applicants ineligible [for the newer grant],” says Suarez.

   Creative thinking expands options

   Collaboration is one of the most constructive tools to prepare for a recession. Pete Seghesio and his wife, Cathy Seghesio, co-owners of Journeyman Meat Co. in Healdsburg, opened their business in 2017. Their first sales came just before Sonoma County was impacted by devastating wildfires.

   “We’re used to the rules changing fast. Yet later, during the early phase of the pandemic, they changed really fast, like every month. One effort that has helped us since spring 2021 is a partnership with Cream Co. Meats. They’re an Oakland-based distributor [that] ensures our monthly bacon, salami, and sausages reach customers in the city. We’re also creating a co-branded salami with Snake River Farms, an Idaho-based pork and beef supplier, and making a custom recipe for the staff at Oliver’s,” says Pete Seghesio.

   Developing new products and ways of doing business are a guard against rising costs. Seghesio says Journeyman Meat Co. saw growth of 35% in revenue in 2021. “We were so excited. But fuel prices and supply chain issues will bring that growth down to 20 to 24% in 2022. Now we’re solidifying cooperation with select local wineries to create salami that pair with their wines. We developed sliced packs of our cured meats for those wineries which don’t have commercial kitchens. Our recent pivots show it’s possible to advance through chaos,” says Seghesio.

   Porter says Cloverdale Nursery began carrying products of small local artisans in its shop. “We’re also [hosting] local pop-ups. We invite a local vendor or baker such as Flour Girl, Renee’s Baking or Obrigado to come set up for free in our space for two to four hours on a weekend day. [This] has been a great success for everyone,” says Porter.

   Tips and pain points for local businesses

   Businesses looking to prepare for a recession have a valuable resource—local financial institutions, including credit unions who listen closely.

   Chris Call, CEO of North Bay Credit Union, says the Federal Reserve’s move to increase interest rates by 0.75% in summer 2022 and an expected move to increase them again another 1.50% by December 2023 will put a strain on local businesses. “Individuals with a variable rate credit card, home or commercial equity line of credit, or personal loan will be hit with larger payments. They can save money by converting to a fixed rate before further hikes,” says Call.

   Small business owners who want to sell to larger companies should consider that step before their cost of debt rises. “We’re currently seeing a lot of acquisitions in agriculture and cannabis because owners have been exhausted by wildfires, tax burdens and the pandemic. It may be possible for an owner to get a higher price before recessionary erode profitability,” says Call.

   Brett Martinez, president and CEO of Redwood Credit Union, says the organization is currently helping members shift strategies as often as needed. “We have the tools to help companies that have not adjusted from a pre-fire, pre-pandemic business model,” says Martinez. “It’s a good idea for a company to increase its cash flow and reserves before the Federal Reserve increases interest rates.”

   Martinez also encourages members to buy reliable vehicles and make necessary repairs before a recession. “The last thing you want is to have a car break down on you when costs are higher. Having assets in good condition allows you to be more flexible,” says Martinez.

   Eric Sternberger, partner at Ragghianti Freitas LLP in San Rafael, says

   businesses with unpaid rent should not expect further rent concessions from landlords. They can pursue payment plans given worsening economic conditions. “Commercial property owners are often restricted by loan covenants with their lenders as to whether or to the extent they can modify rent contracts,” says Sternberger. “Small businesses who still owe rent from early in the pandemic should expect to repay rent debt.”

   As commercial properties continue to sell in this market, having a payment plan for back rent may benefit both the selling landlord and a tenant as ownership changes. “In contrast, there has been a softening of the residential real estate market. The days of multiple cash bids are now the exception and not the rule,” says Sternberger.

   Louise Dawson, director of the Sonoma Small Business Development Center, says experience has taught her that negotiation, patience, and community serve North Bay businesses well during rough periods. “Visiting your local SBDC now allows our staff to share how to avoid taking on more than you can handle later,” says Dawson.

   She adds that businesses can also prepare for a recession by increasing child-care options, welcoming seniors to hospitality positions, and inviting recent high school graduates to entry-level jobs. All of these steps lower the cost of labor and increase employee retention.

   “Another thing local businesses can do is put a focus on mental health,” says Dawson. “Uncertainty from the pandemic and rising costs have caused people to suffer from stress and exhaustion. Motivating employees, offering solutions, and listening to their concerns relieves tension and helps everyone keep going.”

   Read the at NorthBay biz here

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