Sonoma teens are ready to work!

Get a job, kid: 32 Sonoma students complete work readiness certificate program.|

Becky Jo Peterson, Teen Services Sonoma executive director, welcomed teens, family members, staff, board members and friends to celebrate the completion of the nonprofit’s winter session work readiness certificate program.

The event was held April 12 at the Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn.

Over the past five weeks, the teens participated in after-school workshops to learn the skills needed for securing their first jobs.

“They gained self-confidence; learned about the application and hiring process, money management and customer service; completed their first resumes; and participated in interviews with local business professionals,” said Peterson in a press release announcing the event.

Teen Services Program Director Francesca Fifis and Ready to Work Manager Jennifer Blackwood congratulated the cohort, reminding them that the skills they have learned will open doors and provide opportunities for them to aim high.

The students honored included Naomi Aho, Marisol Aparicio, Natalie Arguello, Laura Benitez, Alaery Carmona, Armando Cazares, Christian Cazares, Aurora Claris, Noe Contreras, Maria Garcia, Sophia Girguis, Dani Grippi, Brianna Guitierez, Juliana Guiterrez, Lily Hamilton, Diana Hernandez, Ramses Hernandez, Annabelle Hunter, Leo Inigues, Armella Irakoze, Breanna Knierim, Nathan Lopez, Edwin Martin, Janette Martinez, Abel Morales, Kapono Myer, Karla Perez, Adal Ramirez, Jazmin Rodriguez, Tita Rodriguez, Victoria Santos, and Rocio Sosa.

Each teen has now been assigned a personal job coach who will work with them through the job search and placement processes and will continue to support them for the first 90 days of employment.

To sign up for the next Ready to Work session, visit teenservicessonoma.org.

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