EdSource Feature: Rubicon Landscape Offers a Second Chance at Career and High Education for Justice-Impacted Individuals

by rubiconscapes | Feb 28, 2024 | Press Releases

California’s Youth Job Corps offers a second chance at career, higher education

Program goal is to bridge work and education gaps for foster, justice-impacted, low-income youth, and others

EdSource Feature Story by BETTY MÁRQUEZ ROSALES on February 26, 2024

One of Kaelyn Carter’s ongoing challenges these days is working early hours as a landscaper through the cold, often rainy San Francisco Bay Area weather — a world away from the stagnation he remembers feeling when he first arrived in California less than two years ago.

Then, Carter had just been released from prison after three years of incarceration in Virginia, where he was born. He had made his way to California, which he heard might have more job opportunities.

He’d tried working, but he’d run into more trouble and once again had a warrant out for his arrest. So he turned himself in.

That decision led to significant changes in his life, he said, because his probation officer connected him with his current workplace, which is part job and part rehabilitation program.

The job is with Rubicon Landscape Group, a landscaping company in the city of Richmond that has multiple branches, including a Reentry Success Center which offers a structured 18-week vocational training program where young adults under age 30 who’ve been impacted by the justice system learn about horticulture and landscaping.

Working at Rubicon, Carter said, offered him a community and the means to provide for himself and rebuild his life.

Kaelyn Carter, right, works is part of a community beautification program in the city of Richmond as a service member with California Volunteers’ Youth Job Corps.

EdSource · Jobs Corps helps formerly incarcerated people land on their feet

The program is part of a larger state effort led by California Volunteers, called the #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps, that provides employment opportunities for Californians ages 16 to 30.

“The pay is helpful, the exposure they appreciate, but what I hear that, just to me, is so incredible and inspiring is when they say, ‘I just never thought I had something positive to contribute to my community. I never thought that I had something of value where I could give back, and I could lift up the community I love while also supporting my family at the same time,’” Fryday said. “I remember hearing that specifically in Maywood.”

It’s a sentiment also shared by Carter in Richmond.

“It might sound crazy, but Rubicon has been basically a safe haven for me because it helped me with dealing with … I want to say poverty, if that makes sense,” said Carter, now 29.
His job also helps him address his depression. Rubicon’s wraparound services — such as mental health support, resume workshops — help with housing and transportation, and working with plants helps him feel more grounded, Carter said.

All Youth Job Corps service members at Carter’s job with Rubicon are justice-impacted, which has given him a community of others with similar life experiences.

Read the full story at EdSource

For more information about Rubicon Landscape Group and the Beautify Richmond Program, please contact:

Rubicon Landscape at +1 510-680-0309

Image credit: Kaelyn Carter, right, works is part of a community beautification program in the city of Richmond as a service member with California Volunteers’ Youth Job Corps. Credit: Courtesy of Ebony Richardson/Rubicon Landscape Group

About the Beautify Richmond Program:

The Beautify Richmond Program, a collaborative effort between Rubicon Landscape Group, Rubicon Programs, the City of Richmond, and the Reentry Success Center, is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering justice-impacted individuals in Richmond, California. Central to the program is Rubicon Landscape Group’s provision of comprehensive job training in commercial landscape maintenance. Leveraging its expertise and resources, Rubicon Landscape Group offers hands-on training, mentorship, and guidance to equip participants with the necessary skills for a fresh start in life after incarceration. Additionally, the Reentry Success Center plays a pivotal role by providing essential support services such as housing assistance, treatment programs, transportation aid, clothing provisions, and nutritional support to address various personal and professional needs of program participants. Through a structured curriculum, practical experience, and holistic support from Rubicon Landscape Group and the Reentry Success Center, participants embark on a journey of personal and professional growth, gaining valuable skills and resources for successful reintegration into society. The Beautify Richmond Program exemplifies a collaborative effort dedicated to fostering positive change within the community, with a focus on empowering individuals through skill development, support services, and community engagement opportunities.

About Rubicon Landscape Group:

Rubicon Landscape Group is a subsidiary of Rubicon Programs, a Bay Area non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals and families through comprehensive support services and vocational training. With a focus on sustainable landscape management, Rubicon Landscape Group partners with municipalities, HOAs, and commercial properties to deliver high-quality landscaping services while promoting environmental stewardship and community well-being.

Rubicon Landscape Celebrates Progress of Second Cohort in Beautify Richmond Program

by rubiconscapes | Jan 29, 2024 | Press Releases, Programs, Transforming Lives

Second Cohort in Beautify Richmond Program Progress Report

RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, January 30, 2024 — Rubicon Landscape Group, in partnership with Rubicon Programs and the City of Richmond, is pleased to announce the significant progress of its second cohort participating in the Beautify Richmond Program. Under the guidance of Operations Manager Juan Hernandez, the cohorts embarked on an educational tour, enhancing their understanding of environmental stewardship and native plant species.

The tour took the cohorts to Yerba Buena Island, where they engaged with environmentalists and botanists to learn about the island’s native flora and ongoing efforts to combat invasive plant species. Led by Michael Gillett, Director of Operations, and Veronica Switzer, Training Coordinator, the visit provided invaluable hands-on experience, fostering a deeper appreciation for environmental conservation and the significance of native plant restoration.

During the excursion, the cohorts explored the rich history of Yerba Buena Island, distinguishing its natural origins from the man-made landscape of Treasure Island. Over lunch, members of the crew and cohorts had the opportunity to connect, fostering a sense of camaraderie and enabling fruitful discussions about their work and the mission of Rubicon Landscape.

During a recent session at the Civic Center in Richmond, the cohorts engaged in practical landscaping exercises facilitated by Mike Gillett, Director of Operations at Rubicon Landscape. Gillett’s approach involved teaching specific landscaping techniques and then guiding the cohorts as they applied these skills in real-time scenarios. This immersive learning experience has proven to be highly effective, enabling participants to grasp concepts swiftly and build confidence in their abilities.

The cohorts, working at the Civic Center two days a week, have enthusiastically embraced their responsibilities, demonstrating a strong work ethic and eagerness to learn. Led by Gillett, they work diligently in sections, ensuring continuity and efficiency in their landscaping endeavors. As each day concludes, the cohorts seamlessly transition to the next phase of their work, building upon the progress made and maintaining momentum throughout the program.

“We are immensely proud of the dedication and enthusiasm exhibited by the second cohort of the Beautify Richmond Program,” remarked Juan Hernandez, Operations Manager at Rubicon Landscape Group. “Their willingness to learn and contribute to the beautification efforts at the Civic Center is truly inspiring.”

Furthermore, Rubicon Landscape is proud to announce that Vernon Britten, a graduate of the program’s inaugural cohort, has secured a position at the Richmond Civic Center, demonstrating the tangible outcomes and opportunities afforded by the Beautify Richmond Program. Britten’s dedication to the program exemplifies its transformative impact, embodying the ethos of giving back and supporting others on their journey towards personal and professional growth.

“I see the cohort arrive each day for training eager and thankful for the opportunity. They have become a team encouraging and supporting one another. I smile as I think to myself how much their strength and resilience inspires me everyday. From Beautify Richmond participant to Rubicon Landscape employee, Vernon motivates and inspires everyone; he leads by example and with purpose, motivating all of us. I am thankful to be a part of this transformative program we call Beautify Richmond.”

Veronica Switzer, Training Coordinator

As the second cohort progresses in their journey, Rubicon Landscape reaffirms its commitment to empowering justice-impacted individuals and fostering positive change within the community. With ongoing support from partners like Rubicon Programs and the City of Richmond, the Beautify Richmond Program continues to make strides in providing pathways to sustainable employment and meaningful engagement in environmental conservation efforts.

For more information about Rubicon Landscape Group and the Beautify Richmond Program, please contact:

Rubicon Landscape at +1 510-680-0309 or email veronicas@rubiconprograms.org

About the Beautify Richmond Program:

The Beautify Richmond Program, a collaborative effort between Rubicon Landscape Group, Rubicon Programs, the City of Richmond, and the Reentry Success Center, is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering justice-impacted individuals in Richmond, California. Central to the program is Rubicon Landscape Group’s provision of comprehensive job training in commercial landscape maintenance. Leveraging its expertise and resources, Rubicon Landscape Group offers hands-on training, mentorship, and guidance to equip participants with the necessary skills for a fresh start in life after incarceration. Additionally, the Reentry Success Center plays a pivotal role by providing essential support services such as housing assistance, treatment programs, transportation aid, clothing provisions, and nutritional support to address various personal and professional needs of program participants. Through a structured curriculum, practical experience, and holistic support from Rubicon Landscape Group and the Reentry Success Center, participants embark on a journey of personal and professional growth, gaining valuable skills and resources for successful reintegration into society. The Beautify Richmond Program exemplifies a collaborative effort dedicated to fostering positive change within the community, with a focus on empowering individuals through skill development, support services, and community engagement opportunities.

About Rubicon Landscape Group:

Rubicon Landscape Group is a subsidiary of Rubicon Programs, a Bay Area non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals and families through comprehensive support services and vocational training. With a focus on sustainable landscape management, Rubicon Landscape Group partners with municipalities, HOAs, and commercial properties to deliver high-quality landscaping services while promoting environmental stewardship and community well-being.

Rubicon Landscape Partners with Richmond Works and City of Richmond for Job Training with the Beautify Richmond Program

by rubiconscapes | Aug 11, 2023 | Press Releases

Many thanks to Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez and representatives from the offices of Senator Nancy Skinner and Governor Gavin Newsom for attending the launch of the project event and recognizing the importance of our reentry community’s success.” – Nancy Emery, Vice President of Rubicon Landscape.

RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, June 2, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — On April 1, 2023, Rubicon Landscape Group met with Richmond Works and the City of Richmond to announce the launch of the Beautify Richmond Program. The current plan intends to provide a structured and supportive pre-apprentice training experience (up to 500 hours) for up to ten justice-impacted adults under 30 interested in career opportunities in landscaping and grounds maintenance. Pay is $20 an hour. Rubicon Reentry Success Center selects participants. The first group of cohorts started on April 11, 2023, in the City of Richmond.

During the 4-month program, the City of Richmond will enroll participants to the Rubicon program and assign a coach to oversee the group. Along with classroom work, each enrolled apprenticeship will engage in two to four-hour of workshops, coaching, supportive services, referrals as needed, and receive retention support.

The program supports justice-impacted adults under 30 years old who are interested in career opportunities in landscaping and grounds. Participants will obtain the necessary skills to reach their goal and the opportunity to be employed with the City of Richmond or Rubicon Landscape.

“Thank you to our community partners who joined us for the roundtable discussion about the new Beautify Richmond Program. Ten members from the Reentry Success Center will be working with mentors from Rubicon Landscape Group to learn new skills that will help them jumpstart their careers in horticulture and landscaping.

The organizations participating include Rubicon Landscape Group, Reentry Success Center (Rubicon Programs), City of Richmond, City of Richmond’s Public Works Department, and City of Richmond Employment and Training Department. A grant from California Youth Jobs Corps supports the program.

RubiconLandscape’s Beautify Richmond Program Celebrates Success in Empowering Justice-Impacted Participants

by rubiconscapes | Aug 10, 2023 | Press Releases

“Many of our graduating participants will secure full-time employment with the new skills acquired during the Beautify Richmond Program. Due to their success, the Program will continue in October 2023.” — Nancy Emery, Vice-President, Rubicon Landscape Group

RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, August 11, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — Rubicon Landscape, in partnership with Rubicon Programs and the City of Richmond, proudly announces the successful completion of its inaugural Beautify Richmond program. This 18-week transformative initiative aimed to equip justice-impacted individuals with the necessary skills and support for a fresh start in life after incarceration.

The Beautify Richmond program saw the participation of 16 dedicated individuals who embarked on a journey of personal growth, skill development, and community enrichment. Eight participants are set to complete the program, with five hailing from the over-30 age group and three from the under-30 age group.

Central to the program’s mission was providing comprehensive job training in commercial landscape maintenance. Rubicon Landscape offered holistic support, addressing various needs such as housing, treatment, transportation, clothing, and nourishment. Crucially, participants received guidance in resume building, application submission, and other essential life skills to help them stabilize their lives. Over four months, the participants gradually transitioned to the pace of full-time employment, showcasing remarkable progress in their abilities. Notably, their teamwork and mutual support accelerated their learning curve; a task that once required 16 individuals a full day was later accomplished by five people in just two hours.

Read the Full Press Release