The Power Of Connections
Experienced the stories of people persevering and achieving their dreams despite systemic barriers. It feels wonderful to celebrate the potential that is unlocked when partners come together to launch innovative solutions to build a better future of work.
Jewish Vocational Service is rooted in core values to repair the world (in Hebrew, “tikkun olam”) — starting with our Bay Area community. We believe that work has the power to transform lives and we’re committed to helping people to help themselves. The links below reflect the many lives we’re transforming, including youth, Jewish college students and adults of all backgrounds and skill levels.
Summer internship for Jewish college students
Learn about our work with San Francisco youth
A Career Pivot Amidst Covid: Library Supervisor to Tech Recruiter
Meet Marisela. After losing their job in 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Marisela knew they had to make a career pivot. They applied to many different roles highlighting their transferable skills, but seemingly more qualified candidates would always get...
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Peter, Dayspring Technologies
"For many tech companies, hiring [older] workers is not on their diversity radar. JVS, in a very polite, but very persistent way, puts older, well-prepared candidates right in front of these companies so that they can't be ignored or dismissed." - Peter, Dayspring...
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Kaiser Permanente, Medical Assistant Training Partner
“Once people started working for us, they often transferred to one of our facilities in an area with lower housing costs. JVS produced a customized program that delivered top candidates who were already committed to working in San Francisco. We are thrilled to hire...
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Carlos, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
"JVS and my teacher at John O'Connell High School ignited a passion I never knew I had. With this job, and this career, I can make good money, and live in the Bay Area. I’m excited to be a role model for more people, like me, in the water and wastewater trades." --...
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Erica, UCSF
"This award means the world to me. I worked really hard for myself, and for my brother and for my sister, to get where I am today. I'm right here, where I want to be - in a career at UCSF." -- Erica, UCSF, 2018 Strictly Business Awards Luncheon Erica is a natural,...
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Rosalind, SFRAW
For Rosalind school had always been a challenge and she felt like an outsider. As a child of immigrants, English was not her first language and she struggled with reading and writing, which led to low confidence. She dreamed of being able to contribute to her family...
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Luisanna, John Muir Health
Luisanna had a difficult childhood – she never knew her father and spent most of her youth dealing with her mentally ill mother. Despite these obstacles, she graduated high school and found a job as an administrative assistant, where she worked for six years. Suddenly...
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John, MDLIVE
John had a successful career in financial services and technology, until a horrific accident nearly killed him. After seven years of recovery, he was medically cleared to go back to work, but his entire industry had changed. John quickly realized that he needed to...
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Bank of the West, Financial Services Training Partner
“It is wonderful to know that while we are meeting our own hiring needs, we are also helping JVS get community members back to work.” – Jenny Flores, Head of Community Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility, Bank of the West
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Skills to Work in Healthcare – Yasmeen’s Story
At JVS we believe the best way out of poverty, is a job. Despite the remarkable growth of the tech industry, inequality is increasing in the Bay Area faster than in any other part of the country. Good jobs at living wages exist, but thousands of people remain...
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