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
Patricia, UCSF
Patricia, a native San Franciscan and mother of three, had a solid job until the recession hit. She witnessed her office shut down piece by piece when operations – and her job – moved overseas. Initially, she was not worried; she was a Navy veteran with over 25 years...
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Sean, Carpenters Local 22
Sean knew from a young age that he wanted to work with his hands. He had spent countless hours learning from his father and helping his family’s curtain installation business in San Francisco. School didn’t interest him much, and skipping classes were the norm during...
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A Job Well-Done – JVS Youth Speech
Some lessons are straight-forward and tangible, and others are more difficult to instill – like knowing the value of a job well-done. Rae proudly delivered the following speech at the completion of his high school summer internship last year. The feelings of...
read moreNursing Grad Goes Techie
Six months ago, Maya Zitrin, 29, was crossing a stage at City College of San Francisco, a graduate of JVS’s Nursing Refresher program. Yesterday, she started a 10-day training in Nashville, TN for her new job at a healthcare start-up, naviHealth. “The JVS program...
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San Francisco Recreation and Park, Youth Training Partner
For information on how to employ youth through subsidized internships, please contact info@jvs.org.
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Cheyanne, Institute on Aging
At 18, Cheyanne was pregnant and working at a grocery store. Her family was leaving the Bay Area, leaving Cheyanne struggling to get into school and find a place to live. The odds were heavily stacked against her, and she knew something had to change. She liked the...
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Rosanna, UCSF
“I never thought it would be difficult to find another job. I was relieved to find JVS and others like me. We learned to face our challenges together.” – Rosanna With 20+ years of work experience, Rosanna never expected to be on the brink of homelessness. In 2007 she...
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Elisabeth, Department of Public Health
“I’m so glad I found JVS. They gave me and my family new life.” – Elisabeth In the Ivory Coast, Elisabeth’s future as a physician and a public health professional was bright. She had accomplished so much already as the Chief of the Hematology Unit and HIV Project...
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Never ever, ever lose hope
While the national employment rate is rising, the middle class is shrinking. Despite reports that more Americans are missing car loan payments and department stores likes JCPenney and Macy’s are closing nation-wide, more people seem to be working than before the Great...
read moreJohn Muir Interns Work to Impress
We always love when JVS interns knock it out of the park! Here’s a letter from Brian F. Ronquillo, Training Coordinator at John Muir Health, recognizing JVS interns for their incredible work over the past four months. Dear JVS Program Graduates, First and foremost, I...
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