Community
A New Vision for Stockton’s Foster Youth
This organization is made up of experienced care providers, childcare directors and business owners who are dedicated to providing housing, vocational and life skills training, and supportive services for youth aging out of the foster care system.
Unfortunately, too many youth in America are subjected to the foster care system, which also often results in inadequate access to tools that would equip them in becoming adults who can lead successful and healthy lives.
According to Foster Care 2.0, there are over 500,000 children in the foster care system, and all are at extremely high risk. About 40-50% of former foster youth become homeless within 18 months after leaving care and 25% of foster youth will be in prison within two years of emancipation. These numbers are severe but, in Stockton, a new vision has been created to make an impact.
“Vision Vocations Inc. is a newly founded state and federally recognized non-profit organization that was established by Monica Graves and Anthony Johnson to address foster youth homelessness,” the website says.
This organization is made up of experienced care providers, childcare directors and business owners who are dedicated to providing housing, vocational and life skills training, and supportive services for youth aging out of the foster care system.
As stated in their website; “Through this project, we seek to ultimately alleviate suffering amongst the youths who are struggling as a result of coming from low-income families, being neglected, abused, abandoned, and unsupported.”
By offering these services, Vision Vocations are addressing the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of disadvantaged youth.
There are a multitude of programs and services offered that begin at the age of 16 through 21 years of age as well as childcare to supplement the needs of the youth being supported.
Their programs include a transitional living placement program on site for youth ages 16-18, an independent living placement program for ages 18-21, a case management/life skills training program, a culinary arts institute and cafe program, a cosmetology institute and salon program, & a security guard training and security station program.
Besides these programs, they also have services provided that include office and administration training and support services, a general store for residents, and an on-campus childcare center.
Located at 1610 N. El Dorado St., Stockton, CA, 95204, their hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information on programs and services, ways to donate, or how to get involved, you can contact them by phone at (916) 923-8891 or by e-mail at monica@visonvocation.org.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
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Alameda County
DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland
Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.
Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.
City Government
Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall
At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.
Special to The Post
At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.
Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.
Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”
According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.
“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”
When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.
At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”
While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.
On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.
“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.
The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.
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