Hear Their Stories
“SFCC gives young adults the opportunity to make their lives better and to reach their goals. I am more responsible now than I was before and, for the first time, I’m thinking about where I want to go in life.”- Lena Im
Ian Nored
Ian Nored joined the Corps in April 2021. To achieve his goals, with the support of our Corpsmember Development Team, he developed a career path plan to finish his college degree and to apply to be a park ranger. While with San Francisco Conservation Corps, Ian worked on our Public Utilities Commission Crew. While with SFCC, Ian participated in the the Public Utilities Commission and the Line Trimmers training. In January 2022, he completed his college degree and in March 2022 he was hired as a Park Ranger for San Mateo County in January 2022.
Lena Im
Born and raised as one of seven siblings in San Francisco’s Mission district, Lena’s mom only speaks Cambodian; English is Lena’s second language. Before the Corps, Lena had attended some High School but a feeling of discouragement kept her from going to all of her classes. Lena stayed motivated in her classes at the Corps because “my teachers focus on each student, helping us to set goals and giving us individual attention.”
Lena works in the Presidio with the Recycling Outreach Team and was promoted to a Crew Leader position.
“Becoming a Crew Leader was a goal since I began, but my supervisor really pushed me to be a leader. He told me that if I really wanted it I should go for it. I had to apply with a resume, cover letter, and two references. I also had to interview for the position. My career counselor helped me put together my resume and practice for the interview.”
After Lena receives her High School diploma, she’d like to take classes to learn childcare and work in a daycare. She is also considering becoming a pharmacist.
Enrique
Enrique came to SFCC in need of academic support and job-readiness training. He enrolled in our on-site John Muir Charter High School, participated on Recycling Crews collecting, hauling, and sorting beverage containers and providing Zero Waste services at multiple events throughout San Francisco. He also gained experience in basic carpentry and landscaping.
Enrique enrolled in SFCC’s Pre-Apprentice Training program and successfully completed an intensive 6-week training, obtaining certifications in the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum, Traffic Control, Confined Space, HazWoper40, and Energy Efficient Weatherization (80-hr). During his time at SFCC, Enrique was able to obtain his High School Diploma, built a resume, obtained a valid CA driver’s license, and is working full-time as a Laborers Apprentice with San Francisco Local 261.
Amanda
Amanda enrolled in SFCC with a need for job-training and support in her career development. While enrolled at SFCC, Amanda participated in Recycling Crews, sorting collected materials, went on collection routes and took sorted materials to the buy back center. She also worked Special Events, and trained new Corpsmembers on how to sort.
Amanda says about her SFCC experience: “We have a recycling facility in the Presidio, which is where I learned how to sort – because when I first started I didn’t know what compost was, so one of the supervisors, my first day out there….and the other Corpsmembers with me were telling me what was what material (sic) and what goes where. Once I picked it up I started sorting really fast!”.
Amanda became a Green Programs Specialist and continued to work at Special Events until she was placed with one of our local business recycling partners, the University of California San Francisco. At UCSF Amanda is responsible for sorting waste at 3 separate buildings and has helped UCSF achieve almost 50 tons per month of solid waste diversion from landfill. During this time Amanda also participated in San Francisco CityBuild Academy’s Construction Training Program. Amanda then became indentured into the Cement Masons Union and continues to work for both UCSF and as a Cement Mason apprentice. Amanda was recognized by SFCC as the 2016 Corpsmember of the Year for her achievements.
Alma Guiterrez
Alma Gutierrez met GreenCitizen’s Founder/CEO, James Kao during our annual Career Expo on June 15, 2017.
She later had an interview the following week. After working there on a temporary basis to make sure she was a good fit for the position they hired her full-time.
Leon Small
Leon Small received a job at the University of San Francisco. After working with the position on a temporary basis to make sure it was a good fit, Leon’s supervisor suggested he apply for the full-time position. Leon hopefully will be moving into a full-time position working at USF where he will receive approximately around $56,000 starting salary as a Custodial Support Staff.
Devon Strickland
Devon completed the SFCC program in September 2017! Devon joined SFCC in 2016 with the goal of receiving his high school diploma and gaining work experience. While on different crews, he learned waste management and recycling skills. His next steps include City College and becoming and EMT/Paramedic, with the goal of becoming a pediatrician.
