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SARAH, THE SPANISH VERB FOR TWO B[Press Conference: "SERJobs Resource Workforce and Training Center Ribbon Cutting"]
BREATHED THE FIRST LIFE OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES INTO THIS COMMUNITY.THE LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS, BETTER KNOWN AS LULAC, THE GI FORUM, AND THE US NAVY COLLABORATED TO CREATE A VOLUNTEER JOB BANK THAT LED TO THE FOUNDATION OF WHAT WE KNOW TODAY AS THEIR JOBS.
IMAGINE HOW FORWARD THINKING THEIR VISION WAS AND HOW FAR WE'VE COME IN EMPOWERING HOUSTONIANS PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE THROUGH EDUCATION, SKILL DEVELOPMENT, EMPLOYMENT, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY.
MY NAME IS SHA TI AND I HAVE THE DISTINCT HONOR OF SERVING AS THE CEO OF SAY JOBS.
TODAY WE ARE OFFICIALLY EMBARKING ON A NEW PASSAGE IN SARAH'S HISTORY, THIS MAGNIFICENT WORKFORCE RESOURCE AND TRAINING CENTER.
WE'LL ENHANCE THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE PATHWAYS FILLED WITH HOPE AND TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE FOR THE INDIVIDUALS WE SERVE, THEIR FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITIES.
AT SER, WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER AND PURPOSE OF WORK, AND THIS INNOVATIVE CENTER SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCES OUR CAPABILITIES AND CAPACITY TO DO JUST THAT.
THROUGH THESE HALLS, WE'LL WALK HOUSTONIANS DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THEIR SKILLS AND ACCELERATING THEIR PATH TO MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT.
IT'S A VIBRANT PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION OF OUR VISION WHERE OPPORTUNITY WORKS.
WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CUT THIS RIBBON TODAY WITHOUT THE DEDICATION, ENGAGEMENT, AND SUPPORT OF A WIDE RANGE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS WIDE.
OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVE NOT ONLY MET OUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN GOAL OF $10 MILLION, BUT AS OF LAST WEEK, WE EXCEEDED IT BY AN ADDITIONAL $1.4 MILLION.
WE ARE SO PROUD OF THAT, PARTICULARLY CONSIDERING THE CHALLENGING ECONOMIC CLIMATE WE'VE ALL EXPERIENCED DURING THIS TIMEFRAME.
THE GENEROSITY OF HOUSTON HAS RISEN TO THE CHALLENGE, AND THE RESULT IS NOTHING SHORT OF SPECTACULAR, AS YOU WILL SEE WHEN YOU TOUR THIS BUILDING.
NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENTS MADE BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION, THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY.
THEY BELIEVE IN SARAH'S VISION AND MISSION, NOT ONLY IN THE WORK THAT WE DO, BUT IN THE PEOPLE WE SERVE, AND THE ABILITY OF OUR MEMBERS TO EARN LIVING WAGES THAT WILL IMPACT THE VITALITY AND WELLBEING OF OUR ENTIRE REGION.
IN ADDITION TO FOCUSING ON TRAININGS IN HIGH GROWTH, HIGH DEMAND INDUSTRIES, THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND COMCAST, WE WILL ALSO OFFER FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT AND DIGITAL NAVIGATION SERVICES TO ROUND OUT THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO PROGRAM PARTICIPATION.
BY JUNE OF THIS YEAR, WE WILL HAVE A COMMUNITY-BASED CHILDREN'S HEALTH EDUCATION AND ENRICHMENT RESOURCE ROOM FUNDED BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND MODELED AFTER THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF GREATER HOUSTON GALVESTON.
THAT CREATES A WHOLE FAMILY EXPERIENCE THAT WILL ALLOW PARTICIPANTS TO FOCUS ON THEIR TRAININGS WHILE ADVANCING CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCES FOR THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS PROJECT HAS TURNED INTO SO MUCH MORE THAN WHAT WE HAD ORIGINALLY ENVISIONED.
OVER TIME, AS NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES BECAME AVAILABLE, WE FOUND WAYS TO INCORPORATE THIS INTO OUR PLANS.
I MUST TELL YOU, MOST ORGANIZATIONS WOULD'VE PUT A PROJECT LIKE THIS ON HOLD DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE HONORARY CHAIRS LIKE HOWARD EPSON AND STAN MERRICK AND A CAMPAIGN CHAIR LIKE TOM FORNEY, THAT'S NOT AN OPTION.
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AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY.A KEY COMPONENT OF THIS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN WAS THE EPSON MERRICK CHALLENGE THAT RAISED OVER $2 MILLION.
I WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK HOWARD STAN AND TOM FOR THEIR DEDICATED LEADERSHIP AND FINANCIAL COMMITMENT.
THEY WERE JOINED BY LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS WHO DID TO DREAM WITH SE TO BRING THIS PROJECT TO LIFE.
THIS INCLUDES OUR COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYER PARTNERS, FUNDRAISING CONSULTANTS, OUR PROJECT MANAGERS, ARCHITECTS, CONTRACTORS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND THE SMALL BUT MIGHTY TEAM OF STAFF THAT BELIEVED IN THIS DREAM AND STEPPED UP TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
IF YOU ARE A FORMER OR PRESENT SHARE STAFF MEMBER OR BOARD MEMBER, PLEASE STAND.
SO WE MAY RECOGNIZE YOU FOR YOUR MANY, MANY CONTRIBUTIONS.
I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR SUPPORT, YOUR DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO SARAH.
IN PARTICULAR, I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ONE PERSON WHO HAD A BIG PART TO PLAY IN THIS PROJECT, AND THAT IS OUR CHIEF INNOVATION AND STRATEGY OFFICER ALMA SILVA.
YOU SEE ALL OF US PERSONAL TOUCHES AS YOU TOUR THE BUILDING TODAY.
HER DEDICATION TO SARAH AND THE EAST END COMMUNITY IS EXEMPLARY, AND I'M SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE HER AS PART OF THE TEAM THIS MORNING AS I ARRIVED AT OUR AMAZING CAMPUS, WE CAN CALL IT THAT NOW.
I WAS STRUCK BY THE INSPIRATION AND FORESIGHT OUR FOUNDERS MUST HAVE HAD IN 1965.
I'M QUITE CERTAIN THEY HAD NO IDEA THAT THEIR ASPIRATIONS WOULD BE ELEVATED TO THE LEVEL YOU SEE BEFORE YOU TODAY.
YOUR COLLECTIVE SUPPORT AND DEDICATION HAVE MADE THEIR DREAMS A REALITY, AND OUR JOURNEY HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN CELEBRATING THIS MILESTONE AND FOR ADVANCING SARAH JOBS AS HOUSTON'S WORKFORCE HUB WHERE OPPORTUNITY TRULY DOES WORK.
I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE OUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CHAIR TOM FORNEY TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
I TOO WAS, UH, STRUCK THIS MORNING BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT LONG AGO, MAYBE SIX YEARS AGO THAT I FIRST TOURED THE, UH, THE OLD LOCATION, SORRY, THE OLD LOCATION.
I THINK IT WAS A, A SHAMBLE OF ADDITIONS.
AND I WALKED THROUGH CLASSROOMS THAT WERE IN THE ATTIC OF A BUILDING, A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LIFE SAFETY ISSUES, BUT WHAT WAS AMAZING WAS THE STUDENTS.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT, WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE FOR ME.
AND WE'VE ALL, WE'VE ALL MADE CHOICES IN LIFE TO PUT US IN PLACES THAT WE NEEDED TO CORRECT OR ADJUST OR PUT US BEHIND.
BUT WHEN I WALKED THROUGH AND TALKED TO THOSE STUDENTS, ALL I HEARD WAS POSITIVE THINKING ABOUT HOW THEY WERE CHANGING THEIR LIVES.
AND THAT WAS THE GUIDANCE THAT CAME FROM THE LEADERS AT SARAH.
AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ALL IT TAKES IS THAT DIRECTION AND PUTTING ON, ON THE CHART AND THEN HARD WORK.
BUT LOOK AT THIS BUILDING NOW.
I MEAN, I IT'S AMAZING WHAT'S HERE AND, AND, AND NOT, THAT'S NOT ALL THAT LONG OF A TIME.
THEY NOW HAVE TWO BUILDINGS AND IT'S JUST PHENOMENAL.
BUT IT'S BECAUSE OF THE HELP OF THE CITY AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT, THAT SHE MENTIONED A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A FORMAL PRESENTATION.
SO THINK ABOUT EVERY PROBLEM, EVERY CHALLENGE WE FACE IN LIFE.
THE SOLUTION TO EACH OF THOSE PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES IS EDUCATION.
PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH H BUSH SAID THOSE WORDS 32 YEARS AGO.
HOWEVER, I THINK THERE'S A FOLLOW UP TO THOSE WORDS.
IT'S GREAT TO HAVE A SOLUTION, BUT ONE MUST HAVE THE WHEREWITHAL TO PUT THAT SOLUTION INTO ACTION.
SO MY FOLLOW UP TO PRESIDENT BUSH'S WORDS WOULD BE, IT'S A BLESSING TO
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HAVE AN EDUCATION, BUT ONE MUST HAVE A JOB TO MAKE THE EDUCATION DELIVER A VALUE WITHOUT, WITHOUT A JOB.ONE IS DEPENDENT ON OTHERS WITH A JOB.
ONE CAN BE INDEPENDENT IN ADVANCE ONE'S EDUCATION.
EVEN FURTHER PR, PRACTICING AND HONING SKILLS TO BE BETTER ALWAYS LEADS TO VALUE.
A JOB PROVIDES THIS OPPORTUNITY.
IT BUILDS ONE'S PERSONAL FOUNDATION OF SELF SUPPORT.
AND THE JOB ALSO BUILDS AND NURTURES ONE'S SELF-ESTEEM.
AND THAT'S WHAT I EXPERIENCED WHEN I WALKED THAT, THOSE HALLS, THAT FIRST BUILDING, THOSE STUDENTS KNEW THAT THEY WERE GOING TO A BETTER PLACE.
THAT THAT WAS INFECTIOUS FOR ME.
IT'S HONORED TO BEEN THE CHAIR FOR THE INVESTING THE FUTURE CAMPAIGN.
AND I'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF COMMENTS ABOUT THAT THIS MORNING.
I, I FEEL A LITTLE EMBARRASSED 'CAUSE I, I THINK I WAS, I THINK I HAD SOME REALLY GOOD FOLLOWERS,
UH, AND IT WAS A SPECIAL PLEASURE TO WORK AROUND THE SARAH LEADERSHIP TEAM, STARTING WITH NORIE ANGEL AND LEADING ON TO ALL THE PEOPLE HERE NOW.
AND, AND THAT'S AMAZING WHEN AN ORGANIZATION CAN CHANGE LEADERSHIP AND STAFF AND BOARD AND STILL DELIVER REALLY QUALITY PROJECT PRODUCT.
AND, AND THAT'S, THAT'S FROM HAVING A STRONG FOUNDATION.
SO I WANNA THANK SARAH FOR THAT.
UM, AND ALSO REWARDING WORK TO WORK WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS LIKE, LIKE HOWARD PHELPS AND, AND STAN MERRICK.
THESE GUYS ARE ARE PHENOMENAL LEGENDS IN, IN MY INDUSTRY AND WAS A REAL HONOR TO WORK BESIDE YOU TWO.
UM, SIR ISAAC NEWTON ONCE SAID, IF I'VE SEEN FURTHER, IT'S BY STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS.
THIS WAS THE TRUTH FOR ME BY WORKING WITH SARAH STAFF HOWARD, YOU AND STAN, AND THEN THE ENTIRE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.
WE REALLY HAD A, A KIND OF A SMALL COMMITTEE, BUT IT WAS A GOOD COMMITTEE AND, AND THEY DID THEIR JOB.
THIS IS ALSO THE TRUTH FOR EACH PERSON THAT ATTEND SARAH'S PROGRAMS FOR IT'S ON THE SHOULDERS OF THOUSANDS THAT CAME BEFORE THEM, THAT THEY CAN REACH NEW HEIGHTS.
THIS BUILDING IS HERE BECAUSE OF EVERY STUDENT THAT CAME BEFORE, AND EVERY TEACHER AND EVERY COUNSELOR AND SOCIAL WORKER, IT'LL BE ON THE SHOULDER OF THOSE THAT ATTEND HERE IN THE FUTURE, IN THE COMING DAYS, MONTHS, AND YEARS THAT WILL SUPPORT THE MANY THAT FOLLOW.
AND IT FEELS GOOD TO BE A PART OF THAT CHANGE.
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY.
IT'S, IT'S A GIFT TO BE IN A POSITION TO PAY IT FORWARD.
WE'RE ALL IN A SPECIAL PLACE TO BE ABLE TO PAY IT FORWARD.
WITH THE OPENING OF THIS TRAINING JOB AND THE THIS TRAINING FACILITY TODAY.
I MEAN, WHAT A TREAT TO BE A PART OF CHANGING PEOPLE'S LIVES AS A COMPANY.
FORNEY CONSTRUCTION IS PROUD OF OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY.
AND NOT EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM IS THE SAME AND THEY WOULDN'T BE HERE.
WE BELIEVE THIS EFFORT'S BEST ACHIEVED BY LOCATING, PARTNERING AND SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS SARAH JOBS, WHO ARE MAKING MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT THIS GREAT CITY.
IT'S, IT'S ALL THOSE ORGANIZATIONS WORKING HARD IN THEIR LITTLE NUCLEUS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE MAKING THE DIFFERENCE.
THE CITY SUPPORTS IT, BUT IT TAKES THE HARD WORK OF EACH OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS AND WE LOVE THAT.
THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO WITNESS SARAH POSITIVELY IMPACT THE LIVES OF THEIR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
IT DOESN'T JUST START WITH THE CLASS.
THEY HELP 'EM GET TO CLASS AND WHAT'S THE OTHER PROBLEMS GOING ON IN THEIR LIFE? YOU KNOW, WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO ACCOMMODATE AND I'M, I, THEY PROVIDE, I'VE SEEN 'EM PROVIDE TRAVEL VOUCHERS, FOOD, CLOTHES, WHATEVER, WHATEVER IT TAKES.
AND THAT, THAT'S THE WRAPAROUND SUPPORT THAT THESE STUDENTS NEED.
THEY DO THIS BY BEING PRESENT IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE STUDENTS' LIVES, WHILE IN A SAFE AND ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT.
WE'RE HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THIS NEW BUILDING.
BUT THE REAL CELEBRATIONS, WE'RE HELPING MANY THOUSANDS OF OUR PEERS COMMENCE THEIR CAREERS.
WE'RE CELEBRATING THE FACT THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS CAN ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS BECAUSE OF EACH OF YOU HERE IN THOSE THAT, THAT WHOSE SHOULDERS WE STOOD ON TO GET HERE.
EACH OF THESE FUTURE GRADUATES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE THEIR OPPORTUNITIES, BECOME CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR COMMUNITY.
WE WANT PEOPLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND EVENTUALLY PAY IT FORWARD THROUGH THEIR CHILDREN AND OTHERS.
CHANGE THE COURSE, MAKE A RIPPLE EFFECT.
THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO START AGAIN.
AND STAN AND HOWARD ARE GONNA BE NERVOUS 'CAUSE I SAID START AGAIN,
BUT THAT'S RIGHT, THAT'S WHAT I SAID.
WE, WE EACH NEED TO REFLECT AND ASK OURSELVES, WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING NEXT TO HELP OTHERS? HELPING OTHERS IS WE'RE, THAT'S THE REWARD IN LIFE.
BEING A PART OF CHANGE FOR THE GOOD IS A COMFORTABLE PLACE TO EXPERIENCE LIFE.
YOU, YOU'LL BE A HAPPIER PERSON WHEN YOU'RE HELPING OTHERS.
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AND BE THE GIFT MORE THAN THEM.I ALWAYS LIKE TO ROUND UP WITH A CHALLENGE.
I JUST TALKED TO STEVE MECKLER, WHO'S, UH, LED TES INTERIORS FOR THIS BUILDING AND, UH, HE'S GETTING READY TO RETIRE AND THE FIRST THING HE TOLD ME IS HE CAN'T WAIT TO VOLUNTEER SOMEWHERE.
THAT'S A GOOD COMMUNITY LEADER.
SO THANK YOU, STEVE, WHEREVER YOU'RE RIGHT THERE AND ASK YOURSELF, WHAT CAN I PAY FORWARD IN GRATITUDE FOR? ALLOW ME TO BE HERE TODAY.
WE DIDN'T GET HERE BY ACCIDENT.
SO PAY THAT FORWARD AND DON'T BE SURPRISED.
SOMETHING GREAT LIKE THIS BUILDING WE ARE OPENING TODAY CAN COME FROM ASKING YOURSELF THOSE QUESTIONS.
SO BE BRAVE AND THANK YOU FOR THAT.
IT'S NOW MY PLEASURE TO TURN THE PODIUM OVER TO MAYOR STER TURNER.
HONOR FOR ME, A MAN I MUCH RESPECT AS HOUSTON'S 62ND MAYOR.
THAT'S A LONG TIME
HE'S MANAGED SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FACING OUR NATION'S FOURTH LARGEST CITY.
THE CHALLENGES HAVE INCLUDED DIFFICULT BUDGETS.
COUPLE OF THOSE PANDEMICS ONGOING, ONE OF THOSE NATURAL DISASTERS, FLOOD, HURRICANE FREEZES, WHATEVER.
BUT WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE JOB AND DOING SUCH A GOOD ONE AT IT.
SO PLEASE THANK MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER.
CAN YOU MAKE SURE TO SPEAK INTO THE MIC THERE? SO, SORRY, I'M STILL OVERTIME
AND I CERTAINLY WANT TO START OFF BY ACKNOWLEDGING, UH,
UM, SO TO TOM, THANK YOU AND, AND THE, UH, HOWARD AND STAN, I APPRECIATE YOU AND, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER GALLEGOS, WHO I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH VERY CLOSELY FOR SEVEN YEARS, AND PAULA MENDOZA, SHE AND I KNOW EACH OTHER VERY, VERY WELL.
UH, AND TO ALL OF YOU, WHAT A, WHAT AN EXCITING, EXCITING MORNING IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO START 2023.
UH, LOOK, LET ME, LET ME THANK YOU AND I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE WITH ALL OF YOU AS WE LAUNCH, UH, SIR JOBS NEW STATE OF THE ART WORKFORCE RESOURCE AND TRAINING CENTER.
AND LET ME TELL YOU, IT IS A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL FACILITY.
LOOK, I ALSO, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE, UH, OLIVER KASKA, WHO IS, UH, THE CITY'S, UH, DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF EDUCATION AND YOUTH ENHANCEMENT, UM, AND WORKS VERY CLOSELY WITH SIR AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR CITY, UH, SHINING BUGS, WHO IS HERE AS THE DIRECTOR OF COMPLETE COMMUNITIES.
UM, BUT THROUGH THE MANY, UH, FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES DESIGNED TO INCREASE, LET ME PUT THESE ON
I WAS TRYING TO BE CUTE, BUT THAT AIN'T, IT'S NOT GONNA WORK.
SO THESE WALGREENS 1299 GLASSES COME IN HANDY.
UH, BUT THROUGH THE MANY FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES DESIGNED TO INCREASE REENTRY AND GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON, SIR JOBS HAS POWERED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN THIS CITY, AS WELL AS 13 OTHER TEXAS COUNTIES FOR OVER 57 YEARS.
UH, THE CITY HAS LONG SUPPORTED SIR JOBS THAT IS NOT GOING TO STOP AND IS HAPPY TO DO SO ONCE AGAIN THROUGH PARTIALLY FUNDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW WORKFORCE, UH, CENTER, SIR JOBS OFFERS, FORCE CORPS PROGRAMS, OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING, FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, AND CAREER COACHING.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS PARTNERED WITH SIR JOBS TO ADVANCE ALL OF THESE GOALS, AND MOST RECENTLY THROUGH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF EDUCATION AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT, LED BY OLIVERA AND THE HIGHER HOUSTON YOUTH PROGRAM, WHICH CONNECTS YOUNG PEOPLE TO EIGHT WEEK PAID SUMMER JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THE PUBLIC, PRIVATE, AND PHILANTHROPIC SECTORS.
AND IT'S NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS FOR BOTH YOUTH AND EMPLOYERS.
THIS YEAR WE ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING BIGGER AND BETTER AND MY OFFICE HAS
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AIMED TO NOT ONLY EMPLOY YOUTH, BUT EMPOWER THEM TO SUCCEED LONG AFTER THAT AS WELL.IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SIR JOBS, HOWARD HOUSTON YOUTH WILL NOW INCORPORATE FINANCIAL LITERACY COUNSELING TO ITS PROGRAMMATIC FUNCTIONS TO HELP SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND SOCIAL MOBILITY OF YOUNG RESIDENTS IN UNDERSERVED AND UNBANKED COMMUNITIES.
I WANT TO THANK HER JOBS AGAIN FOR THEIR STEADFAST PARTNERSHIP AND CONTINUING TO BE A PLACE WHERE OPPORTUNITY WORKS FOR EVERYONE.
THIS WORKFORCE RESOURCE AND TRAINING CENTER IS NOW OPEN AND WITH IT, THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND SIR JOBS WILL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT MORE INDIVIDUALS IN THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY IN FINDING JOBS.
IT'S NOT THAT WE DON'T HAVE TALENT WITHIN OUR CITY.
IT'S NOT THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT ABLE TO, UM, FUNCTION AND DO WELL AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME INTO OUR CITY.
THEY CAN, AND IT'S NOT THAT THEY WANT TO BE LEFT OUT OF THE MAINSTREAM, THEY DO, BUT THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT WE PROVIDE THE ACCESS AND THE OPPORTUNITY AND GIVE THEM THE SKILLSET SO THAT THEY CAN FULFILL THEIR GOD-GIVEN, UH, TALENTS THAT THEY HAVE IN EVERY PARTS OF OUR CITY.
THERE ARE CHILDREN WHO CAN PERFORM OVER AND ABOVE IF WE GIVE THEM THE TOOLS IN WHICH TO SUCCEED AND THE FACILITIES THAT THEY NEED AND WHICH TO GROW THEIR TALENT.
WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT TODAY IS THAT WITH THIS 22,000 SQUARE FEET FACILITY, WE ARE PROVIDING THEM WITH THE VENUE AND THE FACILITIES IN ORDER TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL AND THEIR TALENT.
SO IT'S NOT ABOUT TODAY, AS TOM WAS SAYING, IT'S ABOUT ALL OF THESE KIDS, ALL OF THESE KIDS WHO ARE BRIGHT, TALENTED, AND GIFTED, AND NOW WE HAVE ANOTHER SPACE IN THE EAST END SO THAT, THAT WE WILL HELP THEM TO THRIVE AND GROW.
I SAID TO MY TEAM AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, EVERYTHING IN 2023 NEEDS TO BE BIGGER, BOLDER AND GRANDER.
AND NOT JUST FOR US, BUT TO SAY TO KIDS AS THEY COME THROUGH THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO BELIEVE IN THEM, WHO LOVE THEM, WHO WILL EMBRACE THEM AND WILL INVEST IN THEM.
SO TO TOM STAN HOWARD ROU, COUNCIL MEMBER, GALLS PARLOR, AND SO MANY OTHERS, BOARD MEMBERS, THE STAFF PEOPLE WHO HELPED TO REACH THAT GOAL OF 10 MILLION PLUS, THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO INVESTING IN THESE KIDS, AND I'LL CLOSE BY THIS, A POET ONCE SAID THAT CHILDREN ARE MESSAGES THAT WE SEND INTO THE FUTURE TO A WORLD THAT WE OURSELVES MAY NEVER SEE.
WHAT SORT OF MESSAGE SHALL WE SEND THEM TODAY? WE ARE SENDING A MESSAGE THAT WE CARE FOR THEM AND THAT WE LOVE THEM NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE, NO MATTER WHERE THEY COME FROM, NO MATTER THEIR LANGUAGE, NO MATTER THEIR STATUS, IF YOU COME TO THIS CITY, WE WILL EMBRACE YOU.
AND SO, HAVING SAID THAT, LET ME INVITE COUNCIL MEMBER GALLEGOS COULD JUST COME AND STAND WITH ME FOR A MOMENT.
AND CHARU, IF I CAN GET YOU TO COME AND STAND WITH ME AS WELL.
AND I'M NOT GOING TO READ THE ENTIRE THING BECAUSE I'VE ALREADY SAID A LOT OF IT.
UM, BUT I WILL SAY THAT SIR JOBS IS A LEADER OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH ITS COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE MODEL, STRONG EMPLOYER AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP, AND A DIVERSE GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS, SIR JOBS LOOKS FORWARD TO THE NEW ENDEAVORS IN THE EAST END COMMUNITY TO SERVE THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON HONORS AND COMMENCE THEIR JOBS FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF HOUSTONIANS AND EXTENDS BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ALL FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
AND I'VE SAID MANY TIMES AS GO THE EAST END, FRANCIS.
SO WE'LL GO THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
SO THEREFORE, I, SO THEREFORE, I VESTER TURNER MAYOR OF CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROUDLY PROCLAIMED FEBRUARY 9TH, 2023 AS SIR JOBS RESCUE RESOURCE AND TRAINING DAY IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
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GOOD MORNING.ISN'T THIS A BEAUTIFUL DAY? YES.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANNA START OFF BY THANKING CHARU FOR EVERYTHING THAT SHE HAS DONE FOR HER VISION AND HER LOVE FOR SETH.
I ALSO WANNA THANK MAYOR TURNER FOR ALWAYS LISTENING AND FOR ALWAYS CARING AND FOR ALWAYS WANTING TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.
AND HE KNOWS WHAT SAID HAS TO OFFER NOT ONLY FOR THE EAST END, BUT FOR THE ENTIRE CITY OF HOUSTON.
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, WHEN WE DID THE, UH, GROUNDBREAKING SOME TIME AGO, THIS PROPERTY, THIS BUILDING WHERE WE STAND NOW WAS A BLIGHT, A BLIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY, A BLIGHT HERE IN THE EAST END.
AND LOOK AT IT NOW, SOMETHING THAT WE CAN BE PROUD OF, SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP THOSE THAT ARE NEEDING HELP TO MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER.
SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY.
AS YOUR CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE, I AM PLEASED TO BE HERE THIS MORNING AS WE OPEN THIS NEW WORKFORCE AND TRAINING FACILITY SET OF JOBS HAS BEEN A BEACON OF OPPORTUNITY FOR SO MANY, NOT JUST IN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT ACROSS THE CITY AND THE REGION.
IT HAS HELPED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SHARP, SHARPEN THEIR SKILLS AND BUILD ON THEIR CON CONFIDENCE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND GROW IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
AND IN DOING SO, HAS HELPED MANY PROVIDE A BETTER FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS PROUD TO BE A PARTNER IN THIS MISSION, AND THAT IS WHY THE CITY HAS GRANTED MILLIONS AND CDBG FUNDING TO SUPPORT THIS TRANSFORMATIONAL WORK.
IN FACT, JUST LAST WEEK, THE CITY OF HOUSTON COMMITTED AN ADDITIONAL $1.3 MILLION TOWARDS S RONALD MCDONALD CHILDREN'S HEALTH EDUCATION ENRICHMENT ROOM, WHICH WILL BE PART OF THE WORKFORCE TRAINING CENTER.
SO THOSE PARENTS AND THOSE SINGLE PARENTS THAT ARE WANTING TO LEARN A NEW SKILL AND A NEW CAREER, BUT YET THEY HAVE THEIR CHILDREN, OF COURSE, THAT THEY ARE CONCERNED FOR, WILL BE ABLE TO BRING THEIR CHILDREN HERE TO THE RONALD MCDONALD ROOM SO THAT WAY THEY CAN LEARN THEIR NEW SKILL AND THEY CAN MOVE FORWARD REGARDING THEIR FAMILY AND THEIR CAREERS.
WE APPLAUD SET OF JOBS, IT'S DEDICATED TEAM AND BOARD, AND WE REMAIN STEADFAST IN OUR COMMITMENT TO CULTIVATING A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH EVERYONE.
IT TOOK PARTNERS, SO TO THE PARTNERS THAT MADE THIS REALITY, THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE, INCLUDING THE COUNTY AND COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA.
STAN MERRICK, UH, THE TSON FAMILY'S INVOLVEMENT WITH SARAH STARTED IN 2015 WHEN MY GOOD FRIEND STAN MERRICK RECOMMENDED THAT OUR FAMILY BE HONORED AT SARAH'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.
AND THEN I WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, UH, AT THE GROUNDBREAKING
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OF A PROJECT TOM FORNEY'S COMPANY, UH, WAS BUILDING.AND IT TRANSFORMED AND REPOSITIONED TSON CONSTRUCTION'S HEADQUARTERS BUILT IN THE EARLY 1940S TO SEA'S HEADQUARTERS, UH, THE WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITY CENTER.
AND IT'S JUST A BLOCK NORTH ON T STREET.
SO IT'S JUST BEEN A REAL PLEASURE FOR STAN AND ME TO WORK WITH TOM.
TOM MENTIONED ABOUT THE, UH, GROUP HE GOT TOGETHER OF CONSTRUCTION LEADERS THAT FARMED, UH, THAT BECAME HIS, UH, CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE.
AND STAN AND I, STAN AND I WERE ABLE TO MAKE A CHALLENGE, A GIFT AS SHOULD HAVE WE TALKED ABOUT.
SO IT'S, IT'S A TRUE, REALLY PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO SEE THE EXPANDED SERVICES WITH THIS FACILITY THAT S HAS BEEN FOR ALMOST 60 YEARS, PROVIDING TO THIS GREAT COMMUNITY THAT WE ALL LIVE IN.
IT, IT'S CERTAINLY BEEN AN HONOR TO BE UP HERE WITH THESE LEADERS OF OUR INDUSTRY.
ONE, UH, I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE NORY ANGEL'S PART IN THIS.
SHE WAS THE ONE THAT GOT US INVOLVED.
HER VISION, GREAT EXECUTION BY ALL THE SARAH WAS OUTSTANDING.
BUT LET'S NOT FORGET TO THANK NORY.
THIS PROJECT IS VERY DEAR TO THE MERRICKS.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR HISTORY, THE MERRICK FAMILY, MANY OF OUR FAMILY ARE HERE.
WE, OUR EMPLOYEES ARE OUR FAMILY.
THE THREE BROTHERS, MY DAD AND HIS TWO, TWO BROTHERS, UH, CAME FROM A LITTLE TOWN, YOAKUM, TEXAS, AND THEY WERE THE SONS OF IMMIGRANTS FROM CZECHOSLOVAKIA.
AND THEY GOT THE AMERICAN DREAM.
THEY LOST IT ALL DURING THE DEPRESSION, HOMELESS FOR FOUR YEARS.
BUT ONE THING THEY KNEW HOW TO DO WAS WORK.
AND WHAT DID THEY DO? THEY STARTED HANGING SHEET ROCK BLUE COLLAR WORKERS OUT THERE 12 HOURS A DAY WORKING TO MAKE A LIFE AND TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY.
ALL THREE WENT INTO THE SERVICE DURING WW TWO WHEN THEY GOT OUT, THEY'RE ALL BACK WORKING AND THEY STARTED RECRUITING FARM BOYS PEOPLE, BUT THEY BUILT A COMPANY THAT KNEW HOW TO USE THESE.
AND MY SINCEREST WISH IS THAT THIS FACILITY IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, IN THIS CITY, REMEMBER THE KIDS THAT AREN'T GONNA GO TO COLLEGE THAT MAYBE DIDN'T FINISH HIGH SCHOOL.
YOU KNOW, THE BIGGEST HARM WE DID TO THIS COUNTRY WAS NO LEAVE, NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND.
EVERYBODY HAS TO GO TO COLLEGE.
THE DROPOUT RATES HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLE.
THOSE KIDS, IF THEY CAN'T FIND JOBS OR THEY CAN'T GET SELF-ESTEEM, THEY HAVE PROBLEMS. SO LET THIS PLACE BE A BEACON OF HOPE FOR THAT BOTTOM 25%, ALMA, THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.
IN HISD, ABSOLUTELY THAT THE TEACHERS ARE ALL TRAINING TO THE, TO THE STARS TEST AND THEY'RE FORGETTING THAT BOTTOM 25% LET THIS BE A PLACE THAT THEY CAN COME AND LEARN HOW TO USE THESE BLUE COLLAR TRADESMEN.
THIS IS THE GOLDEN AGE OF CONSTRUCTION.
YOU KNOW, THE INFRASTRUCTURE BUILD OF THE PRESIDENT, THE WAY THIS TEXAS IS GROWING, WE NEED CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.
AND, AND THE ONE THING WE CAN TEACH THESE KIDS BESIDES A SKILL IS THE DIGNITY OF WORK THAT BUILDS SELF-ESTEEM.
IF YOU KNOW HOW TO USE THESE, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.
YOU'LL HAVE IT WITH YOU FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
AND I KNOW WE'RE TRAINING PEOPLE FOR, UH, CENTER POINT AND BANK OF AMERICA.
WELL, LET'S NOT FORGET CONSTRUCTION AND ALL OF THIS
BUT, UH, THAT'S, THAT'S MY STORY ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US AT MERRICK.
AND, AND, UH, I WANT TO THANK THE DONORS SUPPORT FROM THE CITY AND THE COUNTY.
UH, HOWARD TOM IS SINCERELY AN HONOR WORKING WITH BOTH OF YOU ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT ONE, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.
SO I'M GONNA CLOSE THIS OUT THIS MORNING, BUT BEFORE I DO THAT, UH, I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER, UH, UH, THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS IN SESSION.
AND SO OUR COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA WAS NOT ABLE TO BE HERE, BUT I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU KNOW HE IS ALWAYS HERE, UM, AS OUR CONGRESSWOMAN AND I DON'T SEE HER HERE THIS MORNING, BUT SHE'S ALWAYS HERE TO SUPPORT US.
SO JUST LET ME READ ONE PIECE OF THIS PROCLAMATION BECAUSE I THINK IT EMBODIES EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN SAID HERE THIS MORNING.
AND IT SAYS, WHEREAS SIR JOBS HAS BECOME THE LEADER OF WHAT OTHER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS STRIVE TO BE.
AND AS SUCH, WE CELEBRATE AND WELCOME SIR JOBS NEW CENTER IN HOUSTON'S EAST END, FRANCIS
I JUST WANNA THANK THE COMMISSIONER FOR SENDING THIS AND I'M JUST PRESENTING IT ON HIS BEHALF.
WE KNOW HE'D BE HERE IF HE COULD.
SO I WANNA NOW TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU ALL.
I KNOW YOU DID THE HEAVY LIFTING BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE AN AVENUE AND A SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO BE TRAINED AND SEND THEM OUT INTO THE WORKFORCE, BUT IT
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TAKES FINANCES, IT TAKES THE SUPPORT TO BUILD SOMETHING THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.SO THANK YOU, UM, MAYOR, THANK YOU.
YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN HERE WITH US AND UH, WE APPRECIATE YOU AND COUNCIL MEMBER GALLEGOS.
UM, WHEN EVERYBODY WAS COMING IN THIS MORNING, I TOLD CHARU, I SAID, OH MY GOSH, LOOK AT THIS GROUP.
LOOK AT THE LEADERS THAT ARE HERE WITH US THIS MORNING.
OUR PAST LEADERS FROM OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OUR FUNDERS, OUR DONORS, OUR STUDENTS, PREVIOUS STAFF MEMBERS THAT ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE.
BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT IT TAKES TO TAKE OUR YOUNG ADULTS, OUR STUDENTS INTO WHAT WE KNOW IS GONNA BE THE FUTURE OF HOUSTON.
SO THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP THIS MORNING.
WE WANT TO STAY ON TIME AND WE'RE DOING VERY WELL, BUT I TOO WANNA THANK SHE THE INCREDIBLE JOB THAT YOU'VE DONE TO EXECUTE THIS BUILDING.
WE ALL KNOW NORI AND THANK HER FOR THE FOUNDATION THAT SHE BUILT WAY BACK WHEN IN THAT BUILDING
AND NOW LOOK AT HOW IT'S TRANSFORMED TO THE BUILDING IN THE FRONT AND TO THIS BUILDING.
AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THIS, ON THIS CAMPUS AS SHE RECALLS IT.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL STAY AFTER AND TAKE THE TOUR AND, UH, WE'RE GONNA HAVE THE RIBBON CUTTING NEXT, BUT PLEASE TAKE THE TOUR SO THAT YOU CAN GO CONTINUE TO SHARE THIS STORY TO EMBRACE WHAT SAID IS.
AND, UH, AS A COUGAR I ALWAYS SAY GO COU.
WE ARE MOVING INTO OUR RIBBON CUTTING RIGHT NOW, SO I'M GONNA ASK THAT THESE PEOPLE ON EITHER SIDE OF ME TO COME UP, UM, AND FOR THE RIBBON CUTTING AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITY, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY AND YOU'RE NOT A PART OF THIS GROUP HERE, PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH US AND WE'LL HAVE YOU COME UP AFTER THE RIBBON CUTTING.