Like many teenagers, Steve Vinson had a rough time growing up. He got into the drug and crime scene at an early age and found himself incarcerated for four months before his 21st birthday. Things got worse when he got out of prison and he ended up homeless. Luckily the Ford Street Project found Steve and their Residential Treatment Program helped turn his life around. Part of Ford Street’s rehabilitation process involves getting patients back into society, and part of that process involves referring people to Mendocino Works.

Steve qualified for youth services with the Mendocino Private Industry Council, One-Stop Operator for Mendocino Works. First came a visit to the Mendocino Works Assessment Lab to take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). Steve enjoyed taking the test because “for the first time in my whole life I had proof—on paper— that I really was able to do well in all the areas I thought I could. It opened up my eyes and showed me I could do anything I set my mind to.”

Steve worked on his resume in the Resource Center, receiving assistance whenever he got stuck from the resource staff. Steve kept all appointments for completing the paperwork required for the youth program; Kathy McMinn, Youth Vocational Resource Specialist, remembers him as “a nice young man, who seemed serious about turning his life around.”

Steve’s first career goal was to find a counseling position in substance abuse, but he changed his mind along the way, finding construction work better match for his skills. Steve began attending classes at Mendocino College and MPIC was able to reimburse him for books and transportation expenses.

Steve began working in the construction field with various employers, and was active in Mendocino College’s “Life Skills Workshop”, but began to feel like he was just drifting between employers and jobs. Kathy kept right on calling him, suggesting Steve check CalJOBS for local openings. Steve and Kathy kept in close communication for the next few months.

Then Kathy learned of a position at Woodall Ceramic Tile that she thought might be ideal for him. Steve was interested and they faxed his resume over. The very next day Steve came in to tell Kathy that he had already interviewed for the job and got it!

Because Steve was enrolled in MPIC’s Youth Services program, Kathy was able to set up a Youth Internship with Woodall Ceramics — a win-win situation for the employer, the employee, and the community at large. Steve received training laying ceramic tile, and MPIC paid his entire wages for the 300 hour training period. MPIC was also able to cover the cost of the tools Steve needed to perform the job. MPIC covered payroll processing, workers comp, and state and federal taxes.

At the end of the training period, Steve was competent at his job, and Woodall Ceramics hired him on as a full-time employee. Steve loves his work and plans to continue on as a Journeyman for the next three years, at which time he can then obtain a license in his field.

Kathy McMinn & Steve Vinson