On Wednesday, March 10, 20 professionals from Cisco’s Systems Employment Department will volunteer their time and talents to help men and women who have become homeless get a new start on life.

This project, Helping Hands, will help InnVision’s clients at three locations solve their job search problems. The volunteers, who work as recruiters for Cisco Systems, will write and critique resumes, provide one-on-one feedback on job search goals and interviewing problems, and provide information on the job search process, dressing for interviews, and handling tough interview questions.

This project was first developed as a holiday season activity. The response from both volunteers and clients was so positive after that first day that it was expanded into a quarterly event. Following the December workshop, the volunteers produced a book containing all of the resumes they had written, and furnished multiple copies of their resumes to all of the clients. Many volunteers were surprised at the skill level of people who had become homeless. One resume was for a homeless optometrist with 20 years experience. Another was for a nursing assistant. Others were for construction engineers, and skilled craftsmen. Seven of the participants found jobs, using their new resumes, in the weeks following the workshop.

The need for job search assistance is greater than ever. The shortage of affordable housing in Silicon Valley has increased rents, making it necessary for people seeking to work their way out of homelessness to find jobs that pay more than minimum wage. To do so they must learn to present themselves professionally, and overcome barriers to employment. As welfare reform makes government assistance less available, the job search workshops will become an increasingly important tool for people making the transition from welfare to work.

InnVision provides a continuum of care for individuals and families who have become homeless. This non-profit agency has been serving the community for 26 years, and now offers programs at 11 locations. InnVision’s network of multi-service centers, emergency shelters, and transitional housing programs provide the tools needed for homeless families and individuals to regain stability in their lives.

Cisco Systems is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco's networking solutions connect people, computing devices and computer networks, allowing people to access or transfer information without regard to differences in time, place or type of computer system. With over 8,000 employees in Santa Clara County, Cisco strives to give back to the communities in which they work. They connect employees to volunteer organizations in need and focus financial resources on education, basic needs, and vocational training. In all community programs, Cisco contributes to innovative and effective programs that assist individuals in their efforts to become more productive members of society

2pm-4pm InnVision’s Georgia Travis Center, 66 East Rosemary Street
open to women on a walk-in basis, as well as current clients

4pm-6pm InnVision’s Cecil White Center, 358 North Montgomery Street
open to men on a walk-in basis, as well as current clients

7pm-9:30pm InnVision’s Cecil White Center AND InnVision’s Commercial Street Inn,
260 Commercial Street.  open to shelter residents only

At Cisco Systems please contact: Susan Edwards, (408) 527-7105 or Nancy Cruz (408) 526-8492