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About WTS

History of WTS

Mr. Jim Grier founded Work Transition Services after working for over a decade in service organizations. He served as the national trainer for Marriott Foundation's "Bridges from School to Work" program and in various positions in executive leadership at nonprofit organizations.

"What I wanted to accomplish with Work Transition Services was to form an organization that brought together the best experiences and service systems from my experience that was able to provide direct client services while maintaining the independent nonprofit's ability to remain fluid and change with the communities' needs. I feel as though we have accomplish this with WTS and as a result our clients get quality vocational services."

Mr. Grier credits colleagues and community partners for making WTS a reality. "Quite simply, without the vision and dedication of our Business Advisory Council as well as the unwavering support of community partners, realizing this dream would not have been possible."

WTS Highlights

GRANT CYCLE 2008-2013
  • Hospital Site Training Program as a new project component in process of development.
  • Life Skills Curriculum was presented in schools across San Mateo County, including Carlmont TDS, Community Court School, Menlo Atherton High School, Oceana High School, and Sequoia High School.
GRANT CYCLE 2005-2008
  • Total youths served: 240
  • Number of placement: 150 (63% of total youths served)
  • Number of placement with significant disabilities: 145 (97% of total placement)
  • Employer Mentorship Program launched in 2006.
  • Presented Life Transition Project model at the 2008 California Community of Practice Secondary Transition Conference, held by the California Department of Education.
GRANT CYCLE 2002-2005
  • Total youths served: 269
  • Number of placement: 132 (49% of total youths served)
  • Number of placement with significant disabilities: 122 (92% of total placement)

WTS Board

J. Ballein, Member

M. Cox, Vice President

J. Grier, President (Acting)

D. Jacobs-Levine, Member

A. Wu, Secretary-Treasurer


WTS Business Advisory Council

M. Barnes Jackson, Supervisor of Department of Rehabilitation

H. Gregory, Albertson's Grocery

J. Grier, President of Work Transition Services

A. Hooks, Kaiser Hostpitals

D. Jacobs-Levine, Director of Jefferson Union High School District WorkAbility

R. Lehman, AFL-CIO Community Services

M. Stallings, Director of Daly City Parks & Recreation

R. Thomas, Director of Jobs for Youth


WTS Staff

Lucy Shih, Project Director

Amy Chu, Career Transition Specialist

Wendy Lopez, Career Transition Specialist

Cristina Pena, Career Transition Specialist

Cynthia Pellegrini, Business Development Specialist

Machiko Hayashizaki, Project Assistant

Get Involved

Contact WTS at (650) 622-9013 or info@worktran.com and help make a difference in the lives of youth and the community!

SUPPORT WTS
Make a personal or recurring donation directly to WTS. Your financial support will support the operation of various WTS programs, helping youth gain successful employment experience.

SHOP AT TARGET
Designate Life Transition Center (School ID: 117940) as your Target community school and 1% of your Target REDcard sales will be donated to help run WTS programs at no cost to you.

DONATE YOUR USED CAR
Designate WTS as the beneficiary when you donate your used car to Cars 4 Causes. For additional information, call 1(800) 766-2273.

VOLUNTEER WITH WTS
Join the WTS team as a volunteer and gain exposure to the social service industry and experience in administrative work.

Testing Services

Lighthouse Counseling & Consultants of San Bruno provides web-based personal and career interest testing. For more information, click here.