• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Working Partnerships

Grassroots organizing & public policy innovation for a just economy

SIGN UP FOR UPDATES

  • About
    • Our Mission & Vision
    • Our Story
    • Theory of Change
    • Work with us
  • Work
    • Just Economy
      • Trades Orientation Program
      • Fair Workplace Collaborative
      • Equitable Regional Economy
    • Future of Workers
      • Silicon Valley Rising
      • Gig Workers Rising
      • Essential Workers Council
    • Just Cities
      • A home for every family
      • Accessible transit for all
    • Care for All
    • Vibrant Democracy
      • Redistricting
      • Measure B
  • Press
  • Updates
  • Donate

Aster’s Story

April 26, 2023 by

Aster worked for a decade as a graphic designer in Northern California, spending over ten hours a day in front of a computer — that is, until her company downsized.

“My company outsourced a lot of labor,” she said. “And finally it was my turn and I got laid off too. I took that as a sign that I had to change my career.”

Without a job, Aster used the internet to research different programs that would set her on the path to a successful career change. It was there that she learned about the Trades Orientation Program.

But while the program was exciting for Aster, she admitted it wasn’t always easy. “For a while, though, it was tough because I’m a girl, and there aren’t a lot of girls in the construction industry,” she said.

As a woman, Aster has had to combat many stereotypes from family and friends, many of whom don’t understand her decision to pursue carpentry.

Surprisingly enough, however, Aster also had to fight the stereotypes she had with herself. Before applying to TOP, she thought that strength was the most important factor in using the tools of manual labor. She soon found out she was wrong. “Before I went to the carpenter’s union, where we did the training, I didn’t know that hammering was about technique, not strength,” she reflected. “That was very encouraging, because I’m small and I’m short.”

Through TOP, Aster found the confidence to pursue a new career path. She applied to multiple apprenticeship programs and was accepted into the Carpenters, where she began her 6-week pre-apprenticeship training.

But just as she was in the final week of the Carpenters program, Aster received the results of her application to the Plumbers. Out of hundreds of applicants, she earned one of the top scores. They asked her to start immediately.

With two offers now on the table, Aster made the decision to go with the Plumbers. She began working as a Pipe Trades Apprentice, starting at $26 an hour, and loves the work and all the new skills she is learning.

Aster feels strongly about participating in job training programs like the Trades Orientation Program, and encourages others to do the same. “If you have the strength and will to do it, it’s possible,” she says.

Back to Graduate Stories

Footer

workingpartnershipsusa

Our city's resources should be spent on balanced, Our city's resources should be spent on balanced, long-term solutions that lead to housing justice — no bandaid fixes that merely postpone or hide the symptoms. 

What's wrong with spending all our resources on one quick fix? It's expensive, ineffective and could cost us billions. We know because we actually did the math. 

Use the link in our bio to check out our memo explaining why the City Council should consider the unwritten costs of reallocating Measure E dollars to temporary emergency shelters.
🎞 Join us for a FREE screening of the eye-openi 🎞 Join us for a FREE screening of the eye-opening documentary "Dignidad: California Domestic Workers' Journey for Justice" 🍿

The film follows domestic workers as they organize for workplace protections during the COVID-19 pandemic and centers their voices and stories in leading the movement. The screening will be held at the Santa Clara County Government Center on Tuesday, May 30 from 5pm-7pm.

Sign up at: https://bit.ly/DignidadFilmScreening
📢 Need legal guidance on employment, housing, o 📢 Need legal guidance on employment, housing, or immigration matters?

Whether you're struggling with workplace disputes, rental challenges, or immigration complexities, this free legal clinic with expert lawyers is here to support you. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to gain valuable insights, better understand your rights, and explore potential solutions. 

HAPPENING TOMORROW, May 27 from 11am-3pm at the Holy Family Episcopal Church in San José.
Register for an appointment at: https://tinyurl.com/527LegalClinic
Walk-ins are accepted!
Our failure to invest in affordable housing is rob Our failure to invest in affordable housing is robbing us of a diverse and vibrant future — and it’s the primary reason why so many of our community members have been forced into homelessness.

In 2020 San José voters chose to end this cycle by investing in real, long-term solutions to our housing crisis. Now's not the time to backtrack!

#ProtectMeasureE 
#HomeSweetAffordableHome
YESS! 👏 Parents shouldn’t have to choose betw YESS! 👏 Parents shouldn’t have to choose between economic stability, staying home, and caring for their family! When parents cannot take time off to care for their children, they are more likely to send a sick child to school. And, caregivers shouldn’t have to go to work sick and jeopardize the people they care for because they don’t have good - that's why we're celebrating that #SB616 passed out of the Senate Suspense Hearing and will now move to the Senate floor.

But let's keep up the momentum going; contact your #CAleg representative today 🔗https://workfamilyca.org/paidsickdaysnow

#SB616 is about supporting the health and safety of California’s children, parents, elders, and  caregivers whose essential labor we all depend on.
Congratulations to the first ever cohort of the Wo Congratulations to the first ever cohort of the Worker Power Academy of Silicon Valley for finishing their final session of the program! ✊ These incredible young leaders of tomorrow are equipped with workers’ rights knowledge regarding discrimination and harassment, labor trafficking, benefits navigation, and union rights & organizing!

Thank you to the San Jose Conservation Corps for partnering together to launch a powerful pilot to create new worker leaders.
Our hearts are filled with joy and pride as we mar Our hearts are filled with joy and pride as we marched together — as workers, tenants, immigrants, parents, and community members at the San José May Day Parade today. 

Today is a reminder that we're all in this together, and that the movement for justice is fueled with our joy and love for our communities!! 

#MayDay2023 #WorkerPower #WorkersUnite
Are you a skilled communicator with a passion for Are you a skilled communicator with a passion for community engagement and economic development? 

We're looking for a Coalition Manager to lead a diverse group of stakeholders to create a new, equity-centered approach for economic development in the South Bay—directly informed by workers and impacted community members themselves. 

Join us in our mission to empower working families and make a difference in the Bay Area! Apply now by sending your resumé to jobs@wpusa.org!
❌ Higher Rents = ⛺️ More Tents While corpo ❌ Higher Rents = ⛺️ More Tents 

While corporate landlords keep jacking up prices & collecting our rents, more Californians are being pushed into homelessness & tents. On Tuesday 4/25 we call on @senator_umberg senatorashby @sendavemin @senatorcaballero to vote YES on the #HomelessnessPreventionAct #SB567
 
Yesenia Miranda Meza is a single mother. Both she and her son have had health problems in the last year and is concerned about losing their home. ""I did not ask for my son to have 3 surgeries in a span of 6 months. I am an increase away from becoming homeless."" 

Over 170,000 Californians are living on the streets and the homelessness is growing in every community. The people most at risk of becoming homeless are people of color and immigrants. Corporate landlords will always choose profits. 

☎️ Will you call @senator_umberg senatorashby @sendavemin @senatorcaballero TODAY to choose the people and vote YES on #SB567 to #KeepFamiliesHoused and stop the rent hikes and unjust evictions? Without their votes, this bill won't make it. 

https://www.ocregister.com/2023/03/10/legislator-proposes-california-law-to-protect-renters-from-becoming-homeless/
ICYMI our State Senators can pass #SB567 to cap re ICYMI our State Senators can pass #SB567 to cap rent increases annually. We already know rent has been skyrocketing across CA 📈 and a majority of us can hardly make it through the month. So we’re driving calls to ☎️ @senator_umberg senatorashby @sendavemin @senatorcaballero

Corporate landlords are looting constantly us by controlling rent hikes while we struggle to make ends meet 💰 We can’t afford to wait another day to protect seniors, families, students, and everyday Californians. We need to pass SB567 NOW! 

For too long, real estate lobbyists and corporate landlords have been able to hike rents unchecked but with SB567 we’re about to put a stop to that 🛑 

We gotta get these State Senators on board and out of the pockets of corporate interests so call them TODAY and demand they pass SB567 ☎️ #HomelessnessPreventionAct #KeepFamiliesHoused #HomeIsSacred
ICYMI our State Senators can pass #SB567 to cap re ICYMI our State Senators can pass #SB567 to cap rent increases annually. We already know rent has been skyrocketing across CA 📈 and a majority of us can hardly make it through the month. So we’re driving calls to ☎️ @senator_umberg senatorashby @sendavemin @senatorcaballero

Corporate landlords are looting constantly us by controlling rent hikes while we struggle to make ends meet 💰 We can’t afford to wait another day to protect seniors, families, students, and everyday Californians. We need to pass SB567 NOW! 

For too long, real estate lobbyists and corporate landlords have been able to hike rents unchecked but with SB567 we’re about to put a stop to that 🛑 

We gotta get these State Senators on board and out of the pockets of corporate interests so call them TODAY and demand they pass SB567 ☎️ #HomelessnessPreventionAct #KeepFamiliesHoused #HomeIsSacred
"We already know you’ve heard about the rent inc "We already know you’ve heard about the rent increases and rising homelessness in CA 🗣️ OF COURSE you have! A MAJORITY of Californians are facing skyrocketing rents 🚀 making our cost of living impossible! 

But WHY are these rents are rising, you ask? 📈 Corporate landlords have been buying up housing complexes and single family homes all across California, and then deliberately driving up the cost of rent. In San Diego, Blackstone drove up rents by 64% in TWO YEARS. It’s pushing out seniors, families, students, and so many others from their homes.

And starting this TUESDAY 4/25, our reps are gonna decide what to do about it — because there’s something WE can do about it! We can contact @senator_umberg senatorashby @sendavemin @senatorcaballero today and demand they vote ✅ YES and pass #SB567 so we can prevent more homelessness, cap rents, and ensure people have a roof over their heads #HomelessnessPreventionAct #KeepFamiliesHoused #HomeIsSacred
Load More Follow on Instagram

WORKING PARTNERSHIPS USA
2302 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95131
P: (408) 809-2120 | F: (408) 269-0183
MEDIA CONTACTS | PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright © 2023 Working Partnerships USA