Summer Success & Beyond: Jobs For Youth

Summer for many is a time for vacation, travel, relaxation, and special memories.

Unfortunately for others, that is not the case, especially in what is considered  "hot spots" that exist throughout the city.

As a special initiative of the City of San Jose, 207 primarily underserved youth and young adults were given a first time  work experience of five weeks of  paid employment.   The initiative included a one week job readiness seminar hosted by the City of San Jose, four days of actual work and one day of  weekly training.  Support and mentoring was offered by job coaches who worked with the individual participants.   Salaries were paid by The Work2Future Foundation, but the actual work took place at various partner site locations.  

Brian Hames of the City of San Jose Works Program will give a detailed presentation of the who, what, why, where, and how of this very successful initiative that  left  an imprint and impacted the lives of more than two hundred  local youth and their families.

Brian Hames, MS, CPRP was born and raised in San Jose.  His family has a long lineage in the San Jose area and is a 5th generation San Jose resident.  Brian went to California State University, Chico for his undergraduate degree in Recreation administration.   After Graduating, Brian worked for the City of Chico, developing public special events for the recreation department.  After a 4 year stint with the Chico, Brian moved back to San Jose and begin working at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose and ran their teen and after school programs, focused on at-risk youth from the local neighborhood surrounding the museum.   Brian, then went back to school and received his Masters Degree from San Jose State University in Recreation Management.  Brian's studies in the Master program focused on developing recreation program for incarcerated youth to combat PTSD, and marketing.   Brian, began working for the City of San Jose, Parks, Recreation And Neighborhood Services department in 2008.  Brian has worked with seniors, at-risk youth, sports, leisure classes, and special events.  Brian was selected to manage the San Jose Works Program in the Summer of 2015.   He also holds the title of Certified Park and Recreation Professional ( CPRP) as distinguish by The National Recreation and Park Association.  Brian is married to his wife Rosie, they currently live in Gilroy.  They enjoy spending time with their "kids" that consist of 2 cats ,  Maynard and Gracie, and their 2 dogs, Kodi and Lucy.