attain that goal. He started work on his CDL online and continued attending weekly workshops where participants talked about what was going on in their lives; they also had the use of computers to help them write résumés and cover letters. ”They help you do everything you need to succeed, and I took advantage of everything they had to offer,” he says. Next he attended Moga Truck Driving School in Petaluma, and “the day I graduated I applied for the job I have now,” he says. “Everything is going forward and positive,” he reports. He drives for a trucking company, and has his own apartment, car and bank account. Molina advises those fortunate enough to get a similar opportunity to apply themselves, be productive and stay healthy. “It’s
CEO participants meet with their job coaches weekly to prepare for long-term employment opportunities.
Participants start with a three-day paid orientation, which includes onboarding with hiring documentation and safety training, as well as California’s mandated harassment training. Then they spend two to four months working on one of two crews doing litter abatement for Caltrans alongside highways three days a week. On a fourth day, they receive training to help them find full-time, permanent employment. Caltrans contracts CEO Marin, which acts as the employer, managing crews and paying them at the end of every shift so they can meet essential daily needs. “It’s a struggle for most of our people to have those basic necessities,” says Andrews, and receiving compensation right away helps with the cost of food, housing and healthcare. On their days at CEO, those in the program learn about topics such as financial literacy, work-life balance, making good choices and ways to address the barriers they might encounter. They also learn to create résumés and take part in mock interviews so they’ll be ready to seek permanent work when the transition period ends. In addition, opportunities are available for individuals who want to follow a particular pathway and need outside education. “We would pay for that training and help them get employment,” says Elder, and the center provides a stipend and releases individuals from crew work so they can focus solely on advanced training. The road to success Sonoma County resident Steve Molina, 54, had been in and out of prison since 1994 and homeless since 2005— but after his last release, he was ready to make a change. “When I came home from prison, I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to come home and be successful,” he says. He was on parole, and he went to a meeting where he learned about CEO, and a representative handed him a card. He attended an orientation and joined one of the crews picking up trash this past March. Molina’s long-range plan was to get his commercial driver’s license, and CEO supported him in his efforts to
changed my life completely,” he says.
Moving forward Although the Center for Employment Opportunities helps most people find full-time, unsupported employment when the transition period ends, it retains some with paid internships in its Emerging Leaders Program. Interns support office staff, assist site supervisors on roadside crews or work in a variety of areas such as information technology, human resources, administration or job coaching for a duration of 12 weeks. They’re also paired with a mentor and receive training in professional development. Following their tenure as interns, most find good positions with outside businesses and organizations, and some stay at CEO as permanent
Other topics addressed in the program include financial literacy, work-life balance and making good choices.
30 NorthBaybiz
August 2025
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