It was a difficult night on January 28th when Ada Olmedo heard about the fire at Mission and 22nd streets. This was where she had been employed for ten years at the local Popeye鈥檚.
All changed in an instant. Ada鈥檚 daily routine was no more. The life she knew was gone.
Two days later, Ada found herself at a city-run forum for the 36 displaced businesses and their 71 employees, with the venue the community room at the Mission police station. The city invited 秋霞伦理鈥檚 and teams, the latter represented by Job Coach Robert Lopez. After intake forms were completed to assess needs, Ada decided to enlist Lopez in her job search鈥攁n astute move on her part, as Lopez immediately got to work, knowing the urgency of the situation.
After refining聽Ada鈥檚 resume, Lopez worked his connections and ascertained that Bi-Rite Market鈥檚 18th Street location in the Mission might be the ideal place for his client. The business had even generously donated food to tenants of the fire who were staying at the Salvation Army shelter on Valencia Street.
States Lopez of his client, 鈥淚 found Ada reserved and she never complained about her situation. She did everything I asked her to do. Ada mentioned she never received聽a raise in 10聽years of work, plus she was simultaneously working two jobs for about five years. She deserved something good to happen for her.鈥
Lopez also set up Ada with 秋霞伦理鈥檚 team so that they could do a . This led to Ada being offered benefits for herself and her one-year-old.
鈥淩obert Lopez helped me very much. I appreciate all that 秋霞伦理 has done for me,鈥 gratefully exclaims Ada.
After being guided through four interviews by the 秋霞伦理 coach, Ada was hired at. Her first shift was yesterday and the new employee is already making an impact.
Community Programs Manager Shakirah Simley鈥 of Bi-Rite explains her company鈥檚 philosophy and why Ada is such a great fit: 鈥淧eople often ask us, 鈥榃hat鈥檚 your special sauce? What makes your business so successful?鈥 It鈥檚 our hardworking, amazing staff! We know the聽best talent can be found right in our neighborhood; 85 percent of our 311 staff live right here in San Francisco. We also want to help folks who have built their lives in San Francisco be able to stay in San Francisco. That starts with , which include聽a livable wage and benefits. We鈥檙e thrilled to have Ada as a new part of our Bi-Rite family–she鈥檚 already rocked it on her first shift and impressed her new team.鈥
Sums up Lopez, 鈥溓锵悸桌 staff always work together to do good for the Mission community. I know we will continue to touch lives. If was a gift to see Ada beaming when she told me 鈥業 never had a job like this before.鈥 She deserves it!鈥