Upwardly Global Volunteer Appreciation Party in San Francisco

Upwardly Global's San Francisco office hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Party during National Volunteer week on Friday, April 24 last. It was a great evening, with more than 100 volunteers, 52 jobseekers and alumni enjoying ethnic foods donated and cooked by jobseekers from 20 different countries, costume tables, free henna painting and raffle prizes from around the world including Russian love mittens and Thai purses.

The party was organized by our dynamic Volunteer Appreciation Event team which included nine jobseekers and alumni with support from Upwardly Global staff. The room was filled with radiant faces when a Russian children's group performed a Sivka Burka song. Upwardly Global jobseekers who also contributed to the success of this event included Nandi Kyaw Min from Burma who performed a traditional dance, Victoria Young who sang a Peruvian song, and Osamde Obazee, a fabulous artist from Nigeria who donated a sculpture 'Gun to Guitar' for our silent auction.

The special guest for the evening was Ross Mirkarimi, a first generation immigrant who is very involved in workforce development in San Francisco and who also sits on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Upwardly Global presented awards to seven outstanding volunteers, including Carol Gottlieb, Jan Scott, John Curran, Jody DaSilva, Linda Hearne, Pavla Sim and Yi-Ju Chen. The 2008 San Francisco leadership council and Upwardly Global mentors also received certificates honoring their valuable work.