RUBICON PROGRAMS INC. SINCE 1973. January 2006 2500 Bissell Ave, Richmond, CA 94804 www.rubiconprograms.org 510 235 1516 In this issue: 1) Rubicon Receives Award for 3rd Year in Row 2) Chocolate for Valentine’s Day from Rubicon Bakery 3) Who does Rubicon serve in Berkeley? 4) Participant Profile: 5) Save the date: May 4, 2006 1) Rubicon Receives Award for 3rd Year in Row Rubicon Programs was named one of the nation’s top social entrepreneurs in the 2006 Fast Company / Monitor Group Social Capitalist Awards. Selected for using business acumen to solve the problems of poverty, Rubicon Programs will be featured in Fast Company’s January 2006 issue. This marks the third year that Rubicon Programs has received the prestigious award. “We applaud the efforts and business acumen of Rubicon Programs, who is not just a do-gooder dedicated to solving the world’s problems — it is a business-oriented organization of vision worthy of imitation in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors,” said Mark Vamos, editor of Fast Company. Rubicon Programs was chosen from a field of 240 nominees that underwent a rigorous interview and selection process. “We are ecstatic that our work is honored with what many consider to be the highest achievement for US-based nonprofit organizations,” said Rubicon’s President Rick Aubry. “Rubicon is committed to helping our clients lead self-sustaining lives and we recognize we need to do the same for ourselves.” To read the article, click here 2) Chocolate for Valentine’s Day from Rubicon Bakery We bet that you know someone who loves chocolate. That’s why we created our La Bete Noir. This flourless bittersweet chocolate torte with a buttery chocolate coating melts in your mouth, it’s so smooth. And it’s a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for that chocolate lover in your life. We ship anywhere in the U.S. so order yours today. Click here for chocolate 3) Who does Rubicon serve in Berkeley? We serve a diverse population at our new office located at 1918 Bonita Avenue, close to the heart of downtown Berkeley. We serve any Alameda County resident (exclusive of Oakland) who has had some trouble getting employment or advancement, through one of our programs called the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Intensive Services and with funding from the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board. The people we help could benefit from some additional support or training. With our staff and partners, we have a wide range of resources and information available to us that can help people get a job and back on their feet. Do you need help writing a resume? Finding a job? Or do you know of someone who does? Rubicon Programs is here to help. To find out more, contact Teresea Archaga at Tereseaa@rubiconprograms.org or 510.809.1312. 4) Participant Profile: Regina Knight Regina is a counselor in a detox center. She helps people clean up their lives just as she so courageously cleaned up her own. Regina was once a drug user who stole to support her habit. After getting out of jail, she had huge debt, no home and no hope. “God was testing me,” says Regina. Rubicon helped her find an apartment and regain her credit. Today, Regina is an inspiration to others and a good mom to her four kids. She’s more than passed her test. 5) Save the date! May 4, 2006 You’re invited to the second annual Rubicon Honors event on Thursday, May 4, 2006 from 6:30-8:30pm! This event will be held at the beautiful Casa de la Vista on Treasure Island. NBC11 is our media sponsor and Christien Kafton, a NBC11 reporter, will serve as the event’s MC. Is your company interested in being an event sponsor? Join other community leaders and become associated with a nationally recognized nonprofit (that’s Rubicon). Click here to learn more about the event and sign up as an event sponsor! 6) What does Rubicon do? We help people who are low-income, homeless, and living with mental disabilities live independent lives by providing jobs, housing, legal services, career development services, mental health counseling, and money management services. We run two social purpose businesses, Rubicon Bakery and Rubicon Landscape Services, and from which 100% of net proceeds support our programs. Rubicon Programs Inc is 31 years old, has served over 35,000 men and women, has created thousands of jobs, and provided hundreds of homes. We want to share news and stories about Rubicon. And we respect your wishes if you do not want to receive these emails. To unsubscribe, tell us that you want to Opt-Out