Workforce Innovations: National Council on the Aging

15th Annual CONNECT! Awards Luncheon
"Connections 2005: Building Partnerships"

Sunnyvale, Calif.—The NOVA Workforce Board and the CONNECT! one-stop collaborative celebrated their 15th Annual Awards Luncheon, “Connections 2005: Building Partnerships,” on October 14. This event, held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Sunnyvale, highlighted the outstanding contributions of local public and private partnerships, as well as the achievements of seven successful graduates of CONNECT! services. Hosted by veteran local newsman Fred LaCosse, the awards luncheon was an emotional, yet inspirational event attended by an audience of over 200 businesses, social service organizations, and local dignitaries.

In an era in which Silicon Valley companies are decreasing their corporate spending, it was refreshing to see one company—Polycom, Inc.—being honored for their continued support of the local community. Demonstrating strong civic leadership, Polycom has served on the NOVA Workforce Board since its inception in the early 1980s. Polycom also contributes the staff and supplies necessary to collaborate with CONNECT! for a successful annual awards event.

Other community partners honored included Right Management Consultants, Lytton Gardens, and Our Lady of Fatima Villa.

CONNECT! alumni honorees included Howard Gilliland, who spent almost 20 years as a successful engineer in the high-tech industry before a layoff forced him to rethink his next career step. Deaf since birth, Howard was fluent in American Sign Language and found a job as a substitute teacher of ASL. He enjoyed it so much that he decided to obtain a teaching credential, earning straight “A”s in the process. Howard currently holds a full-time teaching position and is thrilled with his career change.

Other honorees included Erasmo Garcia, Rayna Granados, Romy Ramos, Alex Rathbone, Cammy Tran, and Donna L. Wills.

For additional information on the CONNECT! one-stop collaborative, please click here. To register for the mailing list for next year's event (Fall 2006), please contact publications@novaworks.org.

Click here to view photos from the event.