Community Advancement

Program Overview

Building Skills Partnership (BSP) was founded with the vision of creating equitable opportunities for California's working families to succeed in their careers and educational endeavors. BSP's core strategies include workforce development, immigrant inclusion, and community advancement. Key programs include: English as a Second Language, Citizenship and Civic Engagement, Financial Capabilities, and Family Engagement & College Readiness. With collaboration and a holistic approach to service at the forefront of our work, BSP strives to create an equitable future for working families to build a better life.

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

Working Towards the American Dream: ADVANCE

When Jorge S., immigrated from Salvador in late 2008, he did not have any knowledge of English. While working as a janitor for GCA at Cisco and another full-time job for two years, he saved every penny and was able to open his own carwash and detailing business. The English Jorge learned in BSP's ADVANCE class at Cisco has helped Jorge communicate with Cisco employees as well as over the phone with car wash customers. Jorge now uses English to market his carwash business, and he attributes his recent increase in clients to his BSP training. His business success makes him feel proud and that the American dream is attainable for him and his family.

Helping to Inspire: ESL

Vicenta C. has been cleaning the buildings of Space Systems/ Loral (SS/L) in Silicon Valley for the past eight years. Two years ago, Vicenta started to attend Union Hall ESL classes with BSP to improveS her ability to communicate with the employees whose offices she T cleans. After several months in the ESL class, Vicenta decided to also enroll in the beginning computer course. Her investment of time and energy helped Vicenta get promoted to lead at Loral, increasing her E wage from $13.40 an hour to $15.00 an hour. Vicenta also sees this promotion as a way to inspire and support her children, and her two grandchildren by showing them they can accomplish anything that they set their minds to. She is now setting her sights on becoming a supervisor.