Nonprofit offers new life, new hope for disadvantaged

Image can be everything, and a new program called "Build Your Image -- Build Your Future," is designed to give people like Angela Kiljander a leg up in the job market and in life.

The unemployed single woman has four children. Christine, 11, Timothy, 10, and Jeremy, 8, live with their mother. After a protracted and bitter divorce, 5-year-old Anastasia spends one week with her father, the next with her mother.

"It's been very hard mentally, emotionally and physically," she said. "Through this program, I'm hoping to build myself into the person I want to be, so I can get my daughter back."

Twelve students are enrolled in the first class, a six-month program by Job Opportunities in Nevada that started in mid-November. All attend job strategies workshops covering a number of topics, including resumZ and application preparations and interviewing skills.

"The workshops are put on by ProNet, an organization that deals with dislocated workers in professional fields, like computer engineers and executives," said James Preston, program coordinator. "We're trying to give working, lower-income families the same opportunity, so they can excel."

A complete makeover at the Carson Beauty Academy in Carson City is one

"The program has improved my self esteem and given me a more positive attitude and outlook on life," Donna Bennert said.

In the throes of a divorce, she supervised her children Karl, 3, and Kaedon, 2, as she talked.

"You don't see a program like this every day. The makeover was excellent. It couldn't have been more fun," she said. "This program is well worth looking into."

Incentives are offered to students who retain jobs after 60, 90 and 100 days. They receive certificates after completing the workshops and are taken to J.C. Penney to purchase professional clothing for interviews.

Applicants are screened and often referred through any branch of the social system, including foster care or juvenile and adult probation. Special consideration goes to custodial parents, Preston said.

The program is funded federally through Nevada Works, a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing Northern Nevada employers with a skilled, productive work force. Cost of the program varies, depending on the client, Preston said.

"We work with these people one-on-one," he said. "After they graduate from the workshops, they receive a certificate of completion and go on to the job- training phase, which can include training in computer and clerical skills, or GED preparation. We have access to programs to teach trucking and welding, and we also actively help with the job search."

Classes start monthly. Classes are limited to about 10.

"We'd like to serve about 35 people in next 12 months," Preston said. "We'll be adjusting the classes accordingly."

A private, nonprofit agency, JOIN was incorporated in June 1996 to provide employment and training opportunities in Northern Nevada.

INFORMATION

What: "Build Your Image -- Build Your Future" program orientation

When: 9 a.m.-noon Jan. 21

Where: University of Nevada, Reno's Cooperative Extension office, 2621 Northgate Lane, Ste. 12

Call: James Preston at 885-8353, ext. 22