Hacienda tenant Tri-Valley Career Center (TVCC) is a nonprofit service of the Alameda County Workforce Development Board that is managed by the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District. TVCC’s mission is to “empower individuals and communities to thrive by creating career education and economic opportunities,” according to Program Manager Alcian Lindo. TVCC has long been a valuable resource for job seekers and regional businesses in Alameda County. Less well-known are the additional services it offers to residents.

The Tri-Valley Career Center, at 5860 Owens Drive, is open to the public between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Thursday. TVCC offers job seekers, students, and county residents access at no charge to computers, black-and-white printers, and quiet space. Naturally, the facilities must be used only for job-seeking, work, studies, or other activities supported by TVCC.

“We've had students come in who just need WiFi in a quiet space to do homework,” notes Lindo. Perhaps surprisingly, TVCC also offers free tax preparation services for those who make $75,000 or less annually (although it will try to make time for individuals who earn more); free Medicare support and counseling services; and free CalFresh enrollment services.

The tax preparation services are funded by United Way Bay Area and the cities of Dublin and Pleasanton. A team of IRS-Certified volunteer tax preparers help residents prepare their tax forms. In September, TVCC started a new service that helps seniors apply for Medicare in partnership with the Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program. To schedule an appointment with a counselor, residents should contact TVCC's Pleasanton office.

CalFresh, which is also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low income. Some people believe they can only apply for CalFresh online or wait in line for help at a county office. In fact, TVCC has CalFresh enrollment specialists who can help residents apply after they make an appointment with a CalFresh specialist on the TVCC website or call for assistance. Appointments are available on Tuesday and Wednesdays at TVCC’s Pleasanton location and on Mondays and Fridays at its Livermore office at 2499 Constitution Drive.

TVCC “is a hidden gem,” says Lindo. “I'm trying to raise it up and show everyone this diamond we have right here.”

The riches extend to companies and job hunters in a variety of ways. Employers are encouraged to post job opportunities to the TVCC’s job board at no charge. Company managers are encouraged to speak at TVCC events. That can be as part of a job fair or as part of an employer Spotlight, which gives a single company about 45 minutes to educate members of the weekly job club on the employer’s specific needs.

As part of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, TVCC can also work with employers by selecting a small group of job-seekers for a specific position. If the employer qualifies for the program and chooses to hire one of the job-seekers, the nonprofit can reimburse the employer for up to $5,000 in training costs for the new employee.

At a recent Spotlight, an IRS employee shared information about job openings for customer service representatives. After the presentation, TVCC staffers helped several job-seekers apply for the positions and some of them were offered employment. “We're losing members, but that's the goal,” says Lindo. “That's great.”

For more information about the Tri-Valley Career Center, please visit www.trivalleycareercenter.org, www.facebook.com/trivalleycareercenter, or call (925) 416-5100.

Photo by Mina Rad on Unsplash and Tri-Valley Career Center staff.