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Welcome to the home page for Workforce Development (aka Vocational Service).
Mission Statement
“To empower members of our community to find the work they want and the opportunity for a rewarding, challenging, and financially sustainable career”
WFD strives to provide opportunities for volunteering and engaging in efforts to fulfill the mission. We welcome all to join our meetings, held on the fourth Wednesday of each month, from 1:45-2:45. During the pandemic we offer zoom meetings, and as COVID restrictions vary, we offer in person/hybrid meetings at Quinlan Center.
Contact Jean Gasperini for more info and links to our meetings
WFD also administers several scholarship and grant offerings to students at De Anza College, San Jose State University, and Fremont Union High School District. The administration is done by WFD Champions.
Join us to hear more about our on going and developing projects!
2021-22 Chair, Jean Gasperini and Co-Chair, Shyamoli Bannerjee
Ongoing Projects:
Secondary Education
Shark Tank Entrepreneurial Competition: A student competition presented by the Monta Vista High School Future Business Leaders of America Club and supported by Cupertino Rotary. Teams are challenged to develop a business plan for a socially conscious non profit organization. The winning team is presented with $500 to implement their business plan. Judges are from Cupertino Rotary and the community; in addition to judging, judges participate in a Q & A with the budding entrepreneurs.
Teacher Mini-grants (Lynbrook, Cupertino, Homestead and Monta Vista): The purpose of the teacher mini-grant program is to provide funds to teachers in the high schools shown above, so they can purchase goods or services that will enrich the learning experience of students. Mini-grants serve as funding for projects that would not get $’s through the school system.
Springboard: Career Information and Vocational/Professional Skill Building (FUHSD Educational Options Program): A new project for 2022 to offer Career Informational Discussions, Resume Review, and Mock Interview Experiences for students preparing for the next step after high school. This project is implemented through visits by volunteers to high school classrooms, offering the opportunity for Rotarians to interact with students directly.
Post - Secondary Education
Itsuo and Marian Uenaka Memorial Scholarship: The Itsuo and Marian Uenaka Memorial Scholarship is a $40,000 scholarship awarded annually to a San Jose High School student who will be attending San Jose State University. This $40,000 scholarship will be awarded 25 times as part of the agreement with the Uenaka family. WFD is excited to administer this new scholarship and participate in choosing a recipient each year.
De Anza Workforce Scholarships: We’re supporting students and Veterans interested in pursuing a Career Technical Education pathway by providing eight, $1500 scholarships that are awarded annually. These scholarships are funded in part through the generosity of the Its Ueneka scholarship fund. Four of the eight scholarships are reserved for student veterans.
A few of the student thank you letters for these scholarships are posted after the project list.
De Anza – Jackson Family Education Scholarship: This Scholarship for a DeAnza student who will be attending a 4-year school and enrolled in a program leading to a career in some form of education (i.e., teaching, counseling, administration etc.) is made possible through the generosity of the Jackson family.
Adult Education
Cross Cultural Partners Program: Pairing De Anza College and Adult Education English Language Learning students with volunteer Rotarians to improve the ESL students' conversational English skills.
Career Conversations Workshop: An Informational Interview Workshop at the FUHSD Adult School for Secondary and Advanced ESL students to gain knowledge and insight into areas of career interest.
FUHSD Adult Ed PRINCIPAL’S Scholarship Fund: We’re committed to working in partnership with the dedicated educators and staff at the Fremont Adult Education Program to help working adults obtain their high school diploma or GED.
Community Involvement
Job Readiness Program: This Program provides low-income individuals and families with the opportunity to work directly with volunteer career coaches to help develop job readiness skills, build self-confidence and communication skills. Over the course of a series of meetings, participants work with their coaches to identify and set individual goals as they learn how to put together a resume, work on learning and navigating through different platforms that are needed during social distancing times, and get ready for job interviews. We partner with West Valley Community Services on this program.
Developing Projects
Collaboration With De Anza Veterans Resource Center: Ongoing conversations to involve Cupertino Rotary in planning and implementing new projects, including a Veterans Plaza to provide a gathering space and respite for Veterans and their service animals and collaboration on providing career information for student Veterans.
Thank you letters from recipients of De Anza Workforce Scholarships:
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FUHSD Adult Ed Informational Interviewing Workshop: In 2019, we held our first informational interviewing workshop at the Adult School. The workshop provided an opportunity for students to gain useful career/work insights from Rotarians across a variety of occupations.
Santa Clara County Elmwood Women’s Prison – GED Program: We’re supporting inmates pursuing their GED, but facing financial barriers that adversely impact their completion success.
Recognition of Outstanding Community Service
Vocational Service Award: Every year we recognize an individual in our local community who has practiced high ethical standards in applying their vocation for the benefit of the community. The awardees can be Rotarians or non-Rotarians. The accomplishment can be a major effort or a series of simple, thoughtful acts.