Simi Valley Youth Employment Service Offers No-Cost Assistance to Local Businesses

Businesses interested in hiring youth and young adults, ages 16 to 22, are encouraged to utilize the Simi Valley Youth Employment Service (YES). YES is a non-fee service provided by the City of Simi Valley to assist youth in finding employment, as well as, providing basic employment services for employers to assist with their recruitment needs.

Employers are invited to post their job openings directly at www.simivalley.org/YESJobPosting, or to call (805) 522-HIRE (4473). YES Staff will refer youth based on the employers’ hiring requisites and preferences. Postings will remain active until the positions are filled. To assist local businesses, YES also hosts the annual Job and Career Expo, provides assistance with local labor market information, and refers to employment-related resources.

Additionally, youth, ages 16 to 22 seeking employment are encouraged to call (805) 522-4473 to schedule a one-on-one job coaching appointment. On average, appointments last 30 to 45 minutes and include interview skill assessments, job search techniques, appropriate interview etiquette, workplace professionalism to help retain employment, and referrals to employers currently hiring.

To register with the Youth Employment Service, businesses and youth should contact Kristin Tignac, Youth Employment Service Coordinator, at (805) 522-4473.

City of Thousand Oaks to Release One Million Ladybugs

On April 18, the City of Thousand Oaks released 375,000 Ladybugs in the Newbury Park and Westlake areas of the City. An additional 750,000 are scheduled to be released in May and the release sites will vary depending on locations and populations of pest insects. The release of Ladybugs is part of the City's Integrated Pest Management Program. The Program releases bugs that are beneficial to the environment annually.

The release of Ladybugs provides a natural method of protecting plant life. During its lifecycle, a single Ladybug can eat up to 5,000 insects that harm plants such as Aphids, Thrips, White Flies, and Scale. By utilizing Ladybugs as a means of biological control, the City is able to substantially reduce the need for chemical insecticides.

Additional information on the City’s Beneficial Bugs Program will be available at this year’s Public Works Week Open House on May 22 and 23 at the City’s Municipal Service Center. 

www.toaks.org

Volunteer with the Segue Career Mentors Program in Ventura County

Do you ever remember saying "If i only knew then, what I know now."  Well many students facing challenges with school and their future could really benefit from hearing "what you know now."  Here is where you come in!

The Segue Career Mentors program invites you to participate in our campaign for student success by sharing your story, your path to the workplace, with students in local school classrooms. In just two minutes you may sign up on our website, pick a date that fits your schedule, receive a short Speaker's Guide, and make a huge impact in motivating students to strive for graduation and a successful transition into the workforce.  Give students the knowledge you wish you knew back then! Sign up at www.segueprogram.org/speaker_sign_up.html.

The Community Roots Garden is a Non-Profit Volunteer Opportunity in Oxnard

The Community Roots Garden is a non-profit community garden open to the public to come and volunteer, learn, and share food together. We are a ministry of, and are located, at the North Oxnard United Methodist Church, 2300 West Gonzales Road, Oxnard.

Farming an acre with volunteers is no small feat. Many hands are needed, and we welcome yours! We invite you to come dig, weed, learn, teach, ask questions, take a shift on irrigation, bring food for potlucks, share your ideas, or donate materials or funding. You can help in whatever way you’d like. It is a rewarding project because it is tangible—you can watch it grow!—and for the simple satisfaction of working with others on something meaningful.  Working in the garden is also a fun way to complete needed community service hours.  No experience necessary. Children welcome. Se habla español.

Please bring a sunhat, sunblock, and sturdy shoes. Tools and water provided.  For more information on volunteering, call Katerina at 805-616-2326.  Visit our website at www.communityrootsgarden.org or find us on Facebook.

Play Days:  Saturdays from 9am-12pm (free meal prepared by Youth using garden harvest)  Sundays from 1-4pm (community potluck). Call for tours and info on upcoming workshops!

Cell Phone Safety for Children Message from the Moorpark Police Department

During this year’s holiday gift giving, many parents have decided to give their children cellular telephones. Most new phones fall under a Smartphone category, which means they are capable of performing many tasks other than just being a telephone. The commonly used tasks by kids are texting, sending photos, social networking, downloading music, watching videos, playing games and then of course using it as a telephone.

Cell phones can be a great safety feature for your children, and a lifeline. However, it is important that your child is mature enough to understand the hazards of cell phone use. With more advancement in cellular technology, comes the responsibility for parents to manage cell phone use by our children. Sending pictures over the Internet is something that is common for children to do these days. Photo messaging on cell phones is no different. Children need to be aware that not all pictures are appropriate to send and receive. They also need to know that if they receive a message or image that makes them uncomfortable, they should immediately tell you or another trusted adult. Not deleting the inappropriate material before showing an adult is best, so the adult can better assess the issue and present the problem to law enforcement authorities if necessary.

Moorpark Police Cell Phone Quick List of Do’s and Do not’s

1. Send appropriate text, email, or picture messages only.
2. Do not give out your address or other personal information on a phone call, text, or email to
3. people you don’t know, or if others can hear you.
4. Do not respond to an email, text, picture, or voice message from someone you don’t know.
5. Tell an adult you trust if you receive anything on your phone—a call, a text message, an email, a picture, or voicemail message—that makes you uncomfortable.
6. Be aware of your surroundings and understand when talking or texting is appropriate and when it is not.

Finally, for those who can drive, never ever talk or text while driving.