More than 20 local employers in a variety of vocations are seeking new employees

Yavapai Community College’s Regional Economic Development Center and the city of Cottonwood will hold a Verde Valley Job Fair, Tuesday October 1 from 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Cottonwood Recreation Center, 150 S. Sixth Street in Cottonwood. Admission is free to all job seekers. Early 3 p.m. admission is provided to veterans 55 and older, and those with disabilities.

The Fair brings a wide range of local employers and possible vocations into one place, including: Abrio Home Care, Ambiente Sedona, Angels Care Home Health, Angels Care Hospice, City of Cottonwood, Cottonwood Police Department, Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District I, the Department of Corrections, Foothills Bank, Hilton Grand Vacations, Jones Ford Verde Valley, Mold In Graphics, NACOG-EWD, NACOG Head Start/Early Head Start, Northern Arizona Healthcare, Rainbow Acres, Steps to Recovery Homes, Verde Valley Humane Society, Yavapai College, Yavapai County Government, and Y.E.S. The Arc.

Attendees will meet potential employers and receive  the latest information about careers. They may be able to apply for part-time, full-time, temporary and seasonal employment. Job seekers are encouraged to dress for success.

Food pantry, plus special programs such as  partnering with  St. Mary’s Food Bank and Manzanita Outreach seek to reduce the stress of food insecurity

Yavapai Community College is addressing the significant issue of food insecurity among its students. One key initiative was the establishment of a Food Pantry on the Prescott Campus in 2019. This past academic year the Food Pantry served 897 students and their family members. The pantry is available to any student enrolled in at least 3 credit hours who is facing food insecurity.

In addition to its regular food offerings, the Prescott Campus Food Pantry occasionally hosts special events. For instance, on September 9, students had the chance to pick up freshly harvested  vegetables on a first-come, first-served basis from the Pantry.

Tackling food insecurity is a top priority for Yavapai Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine. During the August convocation, she emphasized, “Our college cannot be a pathway out of poverty if we are not willing to support our students while they are in poverty.”

On September 27, the college will hold another special event in partnership with St. Mary’s Food Bank and Manzanita Outreach for students and the Prescott community. Thousands of pounds of non-perishable food will be distributed on the Prescott Campus. As per the Community College’s press release, “Everyone who could use some extra food in their home is welcome to participate. Participation will be easy! All area residents need to do is drive onto Yavapai Community College’s Prescott campus via North Washington Avenue, open their trunks or backseats to volunteers loading bags and boxes of food, and drive off, exiting via Marsten Avenue onto Sheldon Street.”

The drive-through food distribution will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until supplies run out, so organizers encourage participants to arrive early.

Students attending the Sedona Center, Verde Valley Campus, and Chino Valley Center are advised to utilize local food shelf organizations, as these campuses do not currently have food pantry programs similar to the one on the Prescott Campus in place (as far as the Blog is aware).

“We are a community college,” Verde Valley Campus Dean Dr. Irina Del Genio said. “It is important that we remain connected to our community.”

Dean Del Genio

Yavapai Community College’s Verde Valley Campus announced in a press release on September 12, 2024, that it is already preparing for its second annual Wine and Wags event as part of its open house program. The inaugural event, held Thursday, August 8, successfully combined the Campus Open House with the Wine & Wags celebration.

For a $25 admission fee, attendees could access the College pavilion, where they enjoyed live music, a glass of wine, and a charcuterie boat. Alternatively, guests could choose to relax outside near the pavilion and listen to the live music.

The event featured programs on dog grooming and pet photography plus an opportunity to adopt an animal from the Verde Valley Humane Society. In addition there were  efforts to inform residents and potential students of the academic opportunities and scholarships offered at the Campus.

The event also raised $2,000 for the Verde Valley Humane Society, according to Dean Irina Del Genio. In the press release, she emphasized the college’s commitment to community, stating, “We are a community college, and it is important that we remain connected to our community.”