Napa Non-Profit Guides Students Into Careers
When Helen McDermott retired after 22 years as Human Resources Vice President at Robert Mondavi Winery, she turned to helping young people.
"People would refer their children or people that they knew just needed some advice and counsel," she recalled.
She founded the Yountville-based nonprofit A Voice Found in 2005.
"I felt it was important for young people to find their voice and their voice would be a career that would be meaningful," she explained.
As head of the program, McDermott gives free career counseling to disadvantaged teenagers and young adults, who face obstacles to education, training and employment. She leads about 30 volunteer mentors and offers scholarships that allow students to enroll in community college or vocational training, studying fields from automotive technology to nursing.
Valley Oak High School graduate Rosario Flores says a $1000 scholarship funded most of her six-month course in medical assisting.
"It was like a miracle to me because my parents could not afford giving me an education," Flores said.
In all, A Voice Found has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships, and helped more than 200 young people in their education and careers.
McDermott has one major fundraiser, an annual letter to family, friends, and community service network, requesting donations for students' scholarships.
"They believe that someone believes in them and that they have a future, a promising future," McDermott said.
So for helping disadvantaged young people find their voice in the career world, this week's Jefferson Award in the Bay Area goes to Helen McDermott.