About SEP
SEP is a successful, grassroots, summer youth jobs initiative in East Palo Alto (EPA), CA. One East Palo Alto (OEPA) has spearheaded this groundbreaking initiative since 2005 through its role as convener of the East Palo Alto Crime Reduction Task Force (EPACRTF) and agency lead of the Task Force’s Prevention and Alternatives Committee, which oversees SEP’s annual implementation. EPACRTF was established in 2004 by San Mateo County Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson, who continues to co-lead and support the group’s efforts.
Now in its seventh year, SEP provides summer employment, mentoring relationships and community connectedness opportunities for youth at highest risk in East Palo Alto. SEP‘s employment component places EPA youth with Employer-Sponsors in nonprofit and public sector job sites, as well as in a growing number of private sector organizations. All of the job placements give youth participants supportive and supervised work experiences. The program’s mentoring relationship component matches young people with Community Mentors who encourage and aid them in becoming productive members of both the community and the labor force. In 2009 SEP partners decided to strengthen operations by adding a Program Coordinator, who was employed by OEPA; while OEPA, in turn, assumed the role of Employer of Record. In 2010, both a Peer Mentor and a Parent Engagement component were added.
Summer 2011 SEP Is Off and Running!
During the month of June, SEP implementing partners (One East Palo Alto, El Concilio of San Mateo County, College Track, JobTrain and Live In Peace) conducted a host of activities to launch Summer 2011 operations. SEP participants were selected; SEP Peer Mentors (East Palo Alto [EPA] college students home for the summer) were hired and began work on June 15th; a Kickoff Celebration was held on June 23, 2011 and selected SEP participants began their first day of work on June 27, 2011!!
SEP Challenge Grant Effort Achieves Notable Success!
To add to the excitement generated by Summer 2011 SEP’s ramp up activities, OEPA conducted a Challenge Grant effort made possible by a $20,000 grant from an anonymous foundation. This special opportunity was announced at OEPA’s June 6th “Embracing East Palo Alto Youth” Fundraising Luncheon. It promised to provide a 2-to-1 match of all donations collected by OEPA for SEP at the luncheon and afterward until June 30, 2011. The Challenge Grant moved at an intense, but steady pace until the last few days before the deadline, when there was an explosion of giving. It was thrilling to witness the outpouring of love and support for SEP from far and wide. And when the clock struck 12 midnight on July 1, 2011, OEPA had collected funds well in excess of the $10,000 needed to earn the Challenge Grant.
OEPA and its SEP implementing partners wish to thank everyone who opened your hearts and wallets and to support the Challenge Grant effort. Because of your generosity, we will be able to add up to five more individuals to the list of Summer 2011 SEP participants.