On Wednesday, September 11, 2013, SparkPoint at Skyline College invited over 80 Cosmetology students for a one hour presentation and tour of Sparkpoint at Skyline College. Melanie Espinueva, SparkPoint Counselor and Financial Coaching Coordinator, kicked off the event presenting information on financial coaching including: the importance of creating a savings plan, establishing a budget and building your credit. Melanie also shared information about the Food Pantry, the California Employment Development Department (EDD), the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), the Grove Scholars Program, and the English Language Institute.
Next, Heather Smith, Assistant Project Director for Benefits Access for College Completion (BACC), informed students on how they may be eligible for cash, food and medical resources. By visiting BACC, students can learn can learn more information on accessing CalWORKs, CalFresh, and accessing healthcare.
The SparkPoint Center staff then provided tours of the SparkPoint Center to the Cosmetology students. During the lunchtime tour, students had the opportunity to visit the Center’s facilities, ask questions, and meet the SparkPoint Center staff.
Special thanks to Kym Jackson, Coordinator, Cosmetology/Wellness Program, and Nancy Lam, Staff Assistant, Cosmetology/Wellness Program, for assisting with the planning of the event. Additional thanks to Nacia Bambilla, Glenda Benavides, Julie Brewer, Melanie Espinueva, Josh Jubelirer, Julie Lamson, Adolfo Leiva, and Heather Smith for assisting with the coordination of the presentations and tours.
If your classroom, learning community or program would like to request a tour of the SparkPoint Center at Skyline College, please contact Adolfo Leiva at 650-738-7039 or leivaa@smccd.edu. Additional information about the SparkPoint Center may also be found at the Sparkpoint website.
This event was funded in part by Chancellor’s Office, California Community Colleges through a grant managed by SparkPoint at Skyline College.
Article and Photos by Adolfo Leiva.
