Across San Jose and the Greater Silicon Valley, a region long known for its visionary spirit, over 16,000 young people ages 16-24 are disconnected from the critical opportunity pathways of school and work. This figure is only sure to drastically increase after the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is fully realized.

Most of them want to join the workforce but lack the skills, education, confidence, and social capital to achieve a living-wage job. Without opportunities to gain early work experience, develop professional skills and earn postsecondary credentials, the number of disconnected young people will continue to grow as they become further separated from the pathways that lead to economic stability and self-sufficiency.

A nonprofit social enterprise, Juma operates concession businesses at San Jose’s SAP Center, Earthquakes Stadium, and Levi’s Stadium with the purpose of providing youth employment and job training. Here youth learn the soft and hard skills critical for success in any career. Alongside the job, Juma ensures that youth develop short and long-term personal goals, learn to manage their money, explore careers in thriving industries, develop a resume and practice their interviewing skills. Ultimately, Juma connects youth with their next job and/or educational pathway where they can further develop the job skills and credentials necessary to achieve a long-term, living-wage career.

Juma’s long-term goal is to ensure that by age 25, youth are on a career trajectory toward a living wage, economic well-being, and prosperity; ultimately breaking out of the cycle of poverty in which many were raised. 

Reducing the number of youth disconnected from school and work requires unique and innovative cross-sector partnerships. To join us in this work or for more information about Juma’s San Jose program, please contact Megan Hover, Bay Area Development Director, at meganh@juma.org, or Michael Rivera, Bay Area Site Director, at michaelr@juma.org.

FOR YOUTH FOR EMPLOYERS FOR VOLUNTEERS

Bay Area Development Director

Megan Hover
meganh@juma.org

Bay Area Site Director

Michael Rivera
michaelr@juma.org