Meet our Contractors who received a John Baker Contractor Scholarship!

Christian was chosen as he used to be a student with CSLS and due to a difficult unforeseen circumstance he was not able to proceed with his program, however he did end up enrolling once again when he had another unforeseen event happen. Christian was involved in a near fatal accident that unfortunately had him in a wheel chair recovering for some time and feels now is the time to complete the program if he was given the scholarship since he was in a financial bind. Christian has had a very difficult life these past years and still has not given up, we are glad we can be of assistance to him as he makes an epic comeback and accomplishes his goals.

Nithzia was chosen for the scholarship as he is the primary provider for her family and juggling the main household bills leaves her with no opportunity to afford any extra cost for schooling due to the current economy. Despite these challenges, she remains passionate about her career and is determined to continue expanding her knowledge. We are glad we can be of assistance to her and be a part of her journey.

Carlos has been chosen as his drive for wanting to better himself after so many years in the industry is a preview of his dedication. Not only does he want this for himself but also for his community and with our assistance his financial burden decreases and allows for him to concentrate on his goals and keep his eye on the target!

FShirley was chosen as she is in need of financial assistance due to going through some difficult times and challenges. With the John Baker scholarship she will be able to focus on studying and completing her program without a worry of financial hardship. By obtaining her license and benefits from it, she will be able to contribute positively to her community as this opportunity wouldn’t’ just open a door for her and her daughter but it would give her the foundation to build doors for others.

Juan was chosen as he is in need of financial assistance due to not having much work during these difficult times. With the John Baker scholarship he will be able to focus on studying and completing his program without a worry of financial hardship. He would like to earn his license and benefit from it for his family and contribute positively to his community through honest, skilled construction work.  

Tyler was chosen as he is in need of financial assistance which will allow him to focus on studying and completing this program without a worry of financial hardship. He would like to earn his license and benefit from it for himself and his family, and would also like to help others he hopes to support and uplift through employment and mentorship.

Jose has been chosen as he is determined to build a better future or himself and his family. Growing up he faced a lot of adversity as he had to take on the responsibility of providing for his two younger siblings and helped his single mother who did her best with their limited resources to get ahead. Despite these obstacles he has kept his focus on his goals and  this scholarship will assist him with the financial burden of getting him one step closer to his career in which he will be able to provide financial freedom for his family.

Freddie has been chosen for the JB Scholarship as he is self-employed and would like this opportunity to really improve his income and help out his community. Freddie understands that it is not easy out there right now however he is really passionate about gardening and landscaping and feels with the experience he has (16 years) and this opportunity he will be able to achieve his goals.

Maksym was chosen as he had to escape the war in Ukraine with his family and, relocated to California. His financial situation has him re-starting his life from scratch and this opportunity not only will allow him to provide financial stability for his family but also to make a meaningful impact by helping prospective homeowners to make informed decisions about their properties. We are glad to be able to assist him with his goals and in his journey.

Mojan was chosen as he is currently unemployed and is actively seeking employment opportunities. Receiving this scholarship would provide him with the necessary credentials to transform and re-establish his career and contribute meaningfully to the local community. We are glad to be able to assist him with his goals and in his journey.

Tabrela was chosen as she is committed to breaking barriers and contributing to the growth and diversity of the construction industry. Receiving this scholarship would provide her the essential support in bridging the financial gap that currently exist on her path to her license. We are glad to be able to be the bridge in this gap on her path to her license.

Gabriel was chosen since he is a full time father of 2 beautiful children and would like the opportunity to be there for them as much as he can and have the financial freedom to do so. This scholarship will be a step in the right direction for him to be able to hire a team and get to work and provide for his family and build a solid foundation for their future.

Ryan has been chosen for the JB Scholarship as unfortunately he and his family had a life altering tragedy that they had to endure however his desire to rebuild for his family remains strong and with this opportunity he can regain his footing and it would be a step towards healing and finding happiness through meaningful work. We are glad we can assist Ryan and his family with this opportunity and be a part of their journey.

Alejandro was chosen as he is a hardworking, dedicated individual who is eager to continue his personal and professional growth. This scholarship will allow for his program to be more accessible due to funds, he is a proud father of four children who look up to him and he would like this opportunity to show his family if you are dedicated and work hard you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Guillermo was chosen as he works out of the state in Utah and Washington however he would like to be able to work locally in California so he can be closer to home and his family. He has had opportunities to work locally but has not been able to due to the lack of license in California. We are glad we can assist him with his dream of being a licensed contractor in the State of California.

Phillip was chosen as he believes receiving the JB Scholarship is crucial for achieving higher levels of success in his career and will allow him to make meaningful contributions to the construction industry and beyond. We are glad we can assist Phillip in his goal to make meaningful changes and achieve his goals.

Vincent has been chosen as he has been in the trade for over 16 years and started as an assistant for his stepfather’s plumbing business. Now he would like to take his skills to the next level and start a family of his own and understands that if you want children he will need to establish a business that generates enough income for a family.

Lisa was chosen as she has had many challenges and difficulties in her life however that has not stopped her from persevering. She understands that the construction industry is hard to break into but she would love to be able to be an inspiration to other women to know that they can do it too and at the same time she promises to give back to her community and serve with true heart and work to make it a better place for all.

Jasmine was chosen as she has a strong work ethic and as a single mother with only one income she has changed her goals and this has made her aspire for more. This scholarship will allow her to get an education that can benefit her and her son in many ways and we are glad we can be part of her journey.

With this scholarship Ali he will be able to pursue his career and further his professional training and certification goals. We are glad to assist Ali with his goals and be a part of his professional growth.

Jose was selected as he would like this opportunity to have his own company and help people with their homes and at the same time create a better life for his family.

Ricardo was chosen since he recently had some financial challenges which resulted in his difficult living situation however he remains steadfast in his determination to overcome these obstacles and create a better future for himself and those around him.

Maribel was chosen since she would like to make a difference in a male driven industry and show that women are just as capable and at the same time be financially better for her children.

Chester has been working as a handyman and feeling stuck at the same level with his business even though his experience is far beyond handyman work. He strongly believes that CSLS is the place for him to succeed so he can better his future and be financially free.

Felix has had many hurdles in his life that he has been able to overcome. Now he will be having a blessing with the news of becoming a father to a baby girl which has ignited a new sense of purpose within him. He wants to be able to establish his lifelong dream of owning his own construction company as a general contractor and be financially secure so he can one day show his daughter that anything is possible. 

Alejandro started young with his father who is a handyman and construction worker and realized that this is his calling. He is committed to helping others as develop new ideas in the field with his hard work ethics and high standards.

Dor is a 1st generation American who grew up in Israel and was born in Tarzana, CA. His father was a remodeling contractor he has been in construction all his life and feels that he needs to take the next step in his career to be able to hire more people and build his business by being able to take larger jobs once he is licensed. His dream is to one day become a high-end residential developer. We are glad we can provide this opportunity to Dor and wish him success.

Tristan was chosen since he had a dream of becoming a helicopter pilot however life took him in a different direction working in HVAC and now he has realized his true calling and would like to have his C20 contractor’s license as this will open many doors for him and fulfill what he is looking for. We are happy that we are able to help Tristan in his new ventures and be a part of his future success.

Homero’s small family business was impacted by Covid however this did not stop him from pursuing his interest. His family has started to grow up which provides him the opportunity to return to his true calling. He is thankful that CSLS can assist him with the scholarship as his finances were left deeply impacted so this will benefit him greatly.

Dominick had to place his career goals on pause since his wife had 2 wonderful children and his wife was also going to school however now that the children are older and his wife graduated it is time for him to continue on his path to achieve his goals and give his family financial freedom and at the same time continue the family business. We are glad we can assist Dominick with his goals and wish him nothing but success.

Eric has been chosen for his go getter attitude, in getting his license he will gather the ability to help make great students, meet our generations to come as well as help the ones closer to him stand up and push those he is responsible for through the gap of our general differences. As he stated “Hard work is the reason we work hard”

Alyssa has been selected since she is a single at home mother with 2 beautiful kids and would like to take the next step so she can take what she is learning in real estate and have a more financially stable environment for her little family and building for a better future. We are glad we can assist her with this goal and wish her the best.

Kemar was chosen since he is the kind of person that we need in this day in age. He is a hard worker with a dream to establish a business for skilled personnel but also wants to provide services to our communities and State at large. He wants to equip the younger generation for a productive future. We are very glad we are able to be a part of his dreams and goals for the future.

Kyle has been dreaming of starting his own business, and with 7 years of experience under his belt he feels now is the time since times are very tough at the moment and he would like to provide better opportunities and a better life. We are glad to provide this opportunity for him to have a better life.

Cesar is a first-generation Latino in the United States and he wants to change the given stereotypical belief that success will only come with hard work. He wants financial freedom and stability, and we are happy to be able to provide this step in the right direction for him and his family.

Julia was selected for her determination in the construction industry. It has been difficult for her to be taken serious due to her age and this builds and gives her a much stronger desire to be in the 10% of women in the industry and we are glad we can assist her in her journey.

David does a lot of miscellaneous work as a welder however feels that this scholarship would help him and his wife work as a team since she is a realtor and if he is able to become an Inspector, they could create a name for themselves and would be very grateful for this opportunity.

Robert was chosen for his positive and grateful attitude. He has had many struggles during Covid but that has not stopped him from attempting to make his family’s life better and making the necessary changes to do so. We are glad to be able to assist him with his goals and provide such an opportunity for him and his family.

Karina was chosen for her charitable attitude; she would like to help others with her work and contribution once she is licensed. She likes to focus on her work and the people instead of the money. We at CSLS are glad to assist her so she can provide the community with her work.

Francisco was chosen since his vision embodies what CSLS is all about. Starting from the bottom and working your way to the top no matter what obstacles you have in front of you. He wants to leave a legacy for his children and show them that dreams do come true if you want them bad enough.

Jennifer was chosen for her enthusiasm and hard work ethic, she wants to show her daughter to never give up even when the cards are stacked against you. She also wants us to know that by her being the recipient she will deeply benefit from it and put it to great use.

Dave was chosen for his love of construction as it runs in his family, during these harsh times he would love to help out families as well as his own city by having his own business and hiring people in his community as he would be the only licensed contractor in his town when he is licensed and we would love to be a part of this goal.

Luis was chosen for his love of painting, during this harsh time he would love to help out other families as well as his own by having his own business and hiring people in his community.

Rene has been chosen due to his ability to make others’ dreams come true by helping them in their careers and now he feels it’s time to work and build on his. This will be his next step in being his own boss and obtaining financial freedom.

Paul has been chosen due to his pull himself up by the bootstraps attitude. He feels he has an opportunity that will assist him with a goal of being a Licensed Home Inspector to be able to excel at this with the drive that he has and become a contributing member of society. We are glad to be able to assist him with his endeavors.

Richard was chosen since he had to make his own opportunities in life to be able to get ahead. He continues and has never stopped trying to improve himself in the construction field. He hopes that with the scholarship he will be able to obtain security for himself and his family. We are glad to be able to assist him with his future.

Brandon has a never give up attitude and is ready to take on the responsibility of becoming licensed to not only help his family be financially free however assist his community and help those in need by providing jobs in this tough economy.  We are glad we can assist him with his goal and wish him the very best on his journey.

Sergio was chosen since she is a hard working individual, with limited job opportunities due to Covid. He hopes to have a his own license and help other people by creating new job opportunities and a better more secure life for his family as well. We are glad we are able to assist Sergio with his goal and create a better future for him and his family.

Hediyeh was chosen since she is a hard working individual, her hope is to have her own license and help other people by creating new job opportunities. We are glad we are able to assist her with her goals and create a better future for her and new possibilities.

Joseph was selected due to his drive to provide for his family, he has over 15 years of experience and was waiting for times to get better however he can no longer wait and decided to get the ball rolling. We are glad to assist Joseph in his journey and with this scholarship hope we can assist with the stability he is looking for.

Yvonne has been chosen for her drive and challenges over the years and has been able to work her way up through this industry and this scholarship will allow her to be able to succeed in her future endeavors.

Michael was chosen for his determination to be able to grow in the field of Tile installation where alongside his father  who has taught him everything he knows has made him realize that this is not just about him but about his family. He hopes to work on projects that benefit his community and allow people from different communities to work together and create something bigger than themselves.

Monica was chosen for her perseverance and hard work ethic to provide for her family.  We are happy to be able to assist her in her journey to better herself and feel she will take the opportunity CSLS is providing and will excel!

Nicholas was chosen due to him having a vast of experience from demolition to sheet metal so he is no stranger to any obstacle that is placed before him. We are glad we are able to assist Nicholas in his journey to become financially independent and make his dream a reality.

Palmira was chosen because she like many other students wants to take the next step in obtaining her license in order to be able to expand her work abilities and new business as well as make more money at the same time her goal is to establish a company that will promote sustainable practices with a focus on green infrastructure, drought tolerant gardens & Eco Friendly Designs.

Mario was chosen because he like many other students wants to take the next step in obtaining his license and progressing his work abilities as well as make more money at the same time.

Glen was chosen for his persistence on applying for the scholarship! He was a previous applicant and that did not stop him from continuing to re-apply with the hopes he would be chosen. This type of attitude will take him far and with our help a bit much easier in these troubling times.

Hugo was selected for his glass half full view in life since he has been out of work due to Covid-19  he decided to get back to his studies and show his family that when one door closes another on opens and took the chance on this scholarship and was chosen!. We are glad to be a part of such outcome and hope to help him with his future endeavors

Tyler has 16 years of experience in General Building, with a current career as a carpenter. He’s had an affinity for the construction business from a young age. To aid Tyler in accomplishing his goals of getting licensed and giving back to the community that’s supported him throughout the years, CSLS is proud to award him the John Baker Scholarship.

John Baker Scholarship awardee Alex Orona has 22 years of experience and will be pursuing his HVAC license. Alex is a hard worker whose family is setting reaching new generational heights and it’s his wish to do his part by getting his license and starting his own business. CSLS looks forward to being part of Alex’s imminent success.

Maria is a self-made business woman who is committed to her personal growth for the benefit of her family, business, and associates. CSLS is happy to award the John Baker Scholarship to this single mother with over 8 years of experience in drywall. With this scholarship and Maria’s determination, the sky is the limit.

Matt is a dedicated father and grandfather who wants a way not only to help his family get ahead, but others as well. CSLS is awarding the John Bakers Scholarship to Matt so he can use his 29-year experience to get licensed and create a reputable work environment for himself and those around him in need.

Teresa is a single mother who at a very tender age had to learn what it meant to be strong. Through hard work and perseverance, she’s supported her family and in awarding her the John Baker Scholarship to help her achieve her ICC inspector goals, CSLS hopes to give Teresa the boost she needs to continue making magic happen.

John Baker Scholarship awardee Erica Delgado has over 10 years of General B experience. Erica’s driving force is her family. As a single mother, architect and future contractor, her main goal is to launch a career that’ll give her and her family a better life. CSLS is thrilled to be part of her journey.

John Baker Scholarship awardee Lisa Salomon has 18 years of experience and will be pursuing an ICC certification. A year and a half ago, Lisa became the sole provider of her household and CSLS is excited to help Lisa on her journey to becoming certified and creating new opportunities for herself and her family.

Husband and father Alberto has been a Signs Designer, Fabricator and Installer for 20 years. He is ready to embark on the journey to becoming licensed in order to give his family the life they deserve and CSLS is thrilled to help him on that journey by awarding the John Baker Scholarship.

Single father Robert Vaca has been in the construction industry for 18 years. Before that, he was a dedicated son who cared for his mother at a very young age. Robert is now looking to further his career for his son and his community. CSLS is eager to help Robert by awarding him the John Baker Scholarship.

Rachel is a mother of 3 and grandmother. She was a certified appraiser, has an AS in Paralegal Studies and began her inspection journey as she did most everything: with a goal to be the best role model she could possibly be for her family. CSLS is delighted to award Rachel the John Baker Scholarship as she pursues her ICC Residential Building Inspector (B-1) Certification.

John Baker Scholarship awardee Jorge Campos has over 13 years of General B experience. Jorge’s driving force is his family. He and his wife set out on their pursuit of Jorge’s license in order to better support their three children. Jorge wants to continue making his family proud by reaching new heights and CSLS is thrilled to be part of his journey.

Joshua has been in the construction industry for over 25 years. When both he and his wife were laid off from work, they knew it was time to make a drastic change and embarked on the pursuit of a license. Joshua wants to show his children that hard work and determination pay off and CSLS is prepared to help him achieve those goals with the John Baker Scholarship award.

John Baker Scholarship awardee Brian Steffes has been in the construction industry for over 9 years and will be pursuing his C-50 (Reinforcing Steel) license. CSLS looks forward to helping Brian achieve his goal of obtaining his license. With it, he hopes to start his own business and bring more opportunities to his community.

Ramiro has been in the construction industry for 8 years. The John Baker Scholarship will help him in his pursuit of his General B license. Although he’s been out of work due to an injury in mid-2017, he is determined to get his license, build his business, and secure a brighter future for his family.

Mayra has been in the construction industry for over 13 years. She will be pursuing her C-54 (Ceramic and Mosaic Tile) license in honor of her father, who dreamt of building a family construction business with Mayra and her brothers. CSLS looks forward to helping bring this dream to fruition through the John Baker Scholarship.

Gerardo has been in the construction industry for 6 years and will be pursuing his General B license with the help of the John Baker Scholarship. As a single father of 3, his driving forces are his children. With his license, Gerardo will be able to provide stable homes for both his children and clients.

Recipient of the August 2018 John Baker Scholarship, Carlos Coleman, has been in the construction industry for over 10 years. After beating cancer, he decided to pursue his General B license in hopes of securing a better future for himself and those around him. CSLS is thrilled to be part of Carlos’ journey.

Dustin has been in the construction industry for 4 years. The John Baker Scholarship will be aiding Dusting in getting his general contractor license. Dustin’s drive is his family – he hopes that with his license, he can achieve his professional goals and set the example his family needs to inspire a winning attitude. CSLS looks forward to helping Dustin on his journey to become licensed.

Jason has been in the construction industry for over 13 years. Despite financial setbacks, Jason is determined to take his professional and family life above and beyond. With the John Baker Scholarship, Jason be pursuing his C-23 license to build his own business and have the flexibility he needs to support his family and keep important doctors’ appointments. 

Jade started off in the Fire Protection industry 20 years ago. She’s driven by a deep desire to support her family and community. On top of helping her customers protect their assets with her line of work, Jade is also focused on promoting sober living and making a difference in the lives of those around her. By acquiring her C-16 license, Jade is determined to catapult her company to the next level and heighten her positive influence.  

Erik been in the construction industry for 25 years and will be pursuing his General B contractor license using CSLS’s in-school law and trade study program. A single father on disability, Erik is confident that with the scholarship, he’s on his way to becoming his own boss and sustaining the life he’s aspired to make for his family. 

Jackson been in the construction industry for 6 years and will be pursuing his General B contractor license using CSLS’s in-school law and trade study program. A dedicated husband and father, he’s driven by the concept of working smarter – not harder and he’s fueled by a dream to build self-sustainable homes that encourage creative growth and expression in those that inhabit them. With protections against economic, natural, and artificial disasters, Jackson’s dream projects will make it through the storms and provide for themselves financially. We look forward to aiding Jackson as he takes the first step in bringing those dreams of a better world to fruition.

Randy is the recipient of a scholarship for the In-School Law & Trade License Exam Preparation Program for a General B License. He is looking forward to the opportunities that will open up for him by getting his license, especially being able to pursue better-paying jobs. He has had 25 years in the construction industry. Although he has struggled with dyslexia, Randy is ready to step up and take on the challenge of the Contractors State License Exam and as long as he stays committed to the program, CSLS will support him.

Martin Lopez is our latest recipient of the CSLS scholarship for an In-school License Exam Preparation program. Martin has worked in the construction industry for 30 years in both Landscaping and Plumbing. He will be working towards getting his C27 license for Landscaping. Martin has always wanted his license and hopes to be able to overcome some of the financial challenges that his family has faced over the last few years.

Greg has been working in the construction industry for 22 years but like many in the construction industry has recently been laid off. With so much experience he has plenty of opportunities for work but needs his license to be able to work his own jobs. CSLS has awarded the In-School Law & Trade License Exam Preparation Program to Greg to help him get his General B License. With his license he is hoping to get back on track to continue to provide for his family and to keep thier home.

Randy is the recipient of a scholarship for the In-School Law & Trade License Exam Preparation Program for a general B license. He is looking forward to the opportunities that will open up for him by getting his license; especially being able to pursue better paying jobs. He has had 25 years in the construction industry. Although he has struggled with dyslexia, Randy is ready to step up and take on the challenge of the Contractors State License exam and as long as he stays committed to the program CSLS will support him in his endeavor.

Anthony Chattin has been working in the construction industry for over 25 years and has always been able to find and retain employment. Until recently that is. Anthony and his family have dealt with many challenges over the last couple of years with both he and his wife currently unemployed and both of his sons who are in the Army, serving duty in Afghanistan. CSLS has awarded Anthony with an In-School Law & Trade License Exam Preparation program to support him in his dream to become a licensed General B contractor. With Anthony's longevity in the business he has developed a strong network of potential customers and even working small jobs would be beneficial to his situation. It is his hope that eventually he can develop and grow his own business; to not only help his family but to also put his friends in the industry to work as well.

Oscar Salas is the most recent recipient of the CSLS scholarship program, having received the In-School Law & Trade License Exam Preparation program for a General B license. He and his family have been through challenging times over the last few years having lost his job and his house and his wife has had to go to work to help make ends meet. Oscar is determined to get his license so he can once again provide for his family and also build this family business with his brother. Oscar is "a hard worker and with this opportunity he will show that he can succeed."

Mark is the recipient of a CSLS scholarship for the ICC Residential Inspector Certification exam preparation program. Having been laid off due to the economy and looking to shift gears in his career, he is grateful for having an opportunity to get this .education and to have a second chance at a career that he loves. He is hoping to integrate his twenty plus years in the construction industry and this valuable ICC certification to become a Residential inspector that would be a great asset to any company that hires him.

Stanley Amey is a family man that believes that what you do and how you do it matters in life. Over the last several years he and his wife have struggled through several lay-offs and this has especially been challenging as their daughter is soon to graduate high school and college expenses are looming. CSLS has chosen Stanley to be the recipient of the In-School Law & Trade License Exam Preparation program for getting his C-33 Painting license. Stanley understands the value of learning and hopes to be able to apply the knowledge that he gets through this program and continued learning to provide a "dependable and wonderful service to his clients". He is also looking forward to being able to give a helping hand to other qualified workers in his industry by hiring them for projects he works on in the future.

Johnny Gonzalez has worked for the Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara for over 12 years. The CAC is a non-profit organization that, among many programs, offers a Free "Home Weatherization" program to low-income families. In 2010, CAC weatherized 1120 low income homes in SB County of which many that Johnny is directly involved in. It is Johnny's hope to get his General B license so that CAC will be able to expand some of their free program offerings to include attic insulation. Although there is a great need for this program, currently there is no contractor with CAC who has the proper credentials to participate in such a program. A General B license would also allow Johnny to "legally and professionally pursue contract work that I cannot obtain now". Johnny also has plans to provide employment to others in his community once he is licensed. CSLS has recognized Johnny for his contributions and continued vision for his community by awarding him a CSLS In-School Law and Trade License Exam Program.

Keith Butler is the recipient of a CSLS In-School Law & Trade License Exam Preparation program for getting his C-16 Fire Protection Engineer Contractors license. He has worked in the trade since 1990 and was previously a union worker; however he has been on the out of work list since April of 2010. It is Keith's hope to earn his license so he can go out and solicit and bid jobs on his own. Having been in the industry so long he has many connections in the industry and he hopes that the new fire sprinkler requirements that have recently been adopted by the California State Building Standards Commission will open up more opportunities for him as a licensed contractor.

These five construction workers were recently recognized as heroes for saving school children at Kelly Elementary in Carlsbad, California when they apprehended a man who had opened fire on the schoolyard. CSLS offered each of these workers a CSLS program of their choice. It is an opportunity for CSLS to provide these men with the ability to further their careers and provide for their families.

Raymond has worked as an electrician for eleven years and is looking to earn his C-10 electrical license. Raymond sought out CSLS in efforts to realizing a lifelong dream of establishing his own business. However, due to personal struggles with job loss and impending loss of income Raymond has struggled to meet financial obligations without his license. Like many today Raymond wants to make a better life for his family and plans to create business opportunities through aggressive advertising, referrals, and sheer hard work upon earning his license. CSLS recognizes and awards Raymond Navasartian with the John Baker Contractors Scholarship.

John recently applied and was accepted for scholarship for the In-School Exam Preparation program to get his C-36 plumbing license. His wife recently passed away from breast cancer leaving him a single parent to raise his two daughters. Due to the medical bills incurred from his wife's illness, John and his family are limited financially. Getting his license will enable John to better provide for his daughters and give him more flexibility to balance work and raising his children. He hopes to be able to use his license to also offer work to others and train them in the plumbing trade.

Victor Perez was recently acknowledged as a local hero in the Central Valley area for saving a young girl who had been kidnapped. Through the media, CSLS learned that he was unemployed and that Governor Schwarzenegger had requested that "someone give Victor a job". That's when CSLS stepped in to provide him with not just a job but with a future. With 11 years in the industry Victor was a perfect candidate for our In-School licensing program. Victor hopes to be able to support his family, help his extended family and eventually have something to give to his sons when they get older.

Robert is a single dad with two young children at home. He has previously worked as a Superintendent for a home builder and was laid off two years ago leaving him and his family with limited financial funds. Robert has been awarded the Advanced Professional Home Inspection course. He has a strong knowledge of residential construction and would like to apply this towards starting his own business as a Home Inspector. The Advanced Professional Home Inspection course will provide him with a strong foundation to start and grow his business and further himself and his family towards a brighter future.

Sergio has worked in the construction industry for eight years doing window and door installation but recently was laid off. He applied and was awarded the In-School Law & Trade program for a C-17 Glazing Classification. It is his hope that having his license will give him the freedom to work for himself and no longer be dependent on someone else to determine his monthly income. He wants to be able to show his family that "with hard work anything is possible."

James was recipient of the In-School Law and Trade License Exam Preparation program for the General B license. He is looking forward to getting his license as a means to having legal steady work and financial security for his family. He has 30 years in the construction industry but due to the economic downturn he has been unable to establish steady work for the last 12 months.

Melvin has 11 years of experience working as a plumber and is looking forward to getting his C-36 license. He was awarded the In-School Law & Trade License Exam Preparation program and is excited to reach his long time dream of becoming a licensed contractor. The Foreman family has experienced some "hard times" and this opportunity to attend CSLS will be the "best thing for me (Melvin) and my family".

Adolfo was awarded the In-School Law and Trade License Exam Preparation course ($999 value) in order to help him meet his goal of becoming a General B Licensed contractor. He started in the construction business back in 1983 and has spent most of that time as a supervisor and the last 6 years as a construction superintendent for a new home builder. Due to the lack of work now available, Adolfo is "looking for the opportunity to work on his own or to work for the city as a city inspector.

Henry is looking towards becoming a C-36 Plumbing contractor and having the independence that comes with being your own boss. He was awarded the In-School Law & Trade License Exam Preparation course ($999 value). With over 14 years in the industry working for others, Henry is confident that he can run his own business "better and more efficiently" than his previous employers. Having his own business will benefit not only himself and his family but will also give Henry a chance the "opportunity to give back by providing employment to young and upcoming plumbers."

Scott applied for the scholarship program in the hopes to expand his knowledge and overall skills in the construction industry. He was awarded the ICC/Residential Code Exam Preparation Program ($899 Value). Scott has worked in the construction industry for over twenty years starting out as a laborer for a large homebuilder, moving up through customer service, superintendent and finishing out the last three years as a project manager. Due to the economy and lack of residential building, he started looking at a career change that would still allow him to remain in the building industry where his passion is and still be able to provide for his family. After completing both the CSLS Residential and Commercial programs it is his hope to get a job as a building inspector for the city or work with individual real estate .agencies in the residential market.

Robert was awarded an In-School Law & Trade Program ($999 Value). Robert is looking to the future and working towards getting his General B California Contractors License. He has worked in the industry for 20 years and this will enable him to follow his dream and provide for his lovely family. Upon learning of this award Robert commented, "I will be following my dream of owning my own business. Most importantly my family will be taken care of for the rest of their lives. It is so amazing to know that my children can carry on with our family legacy."

Awarded an In-School Law & Trade Program ($999 Value). Brian has worked in the construction industry for 20 years. He hopes to apply this program towards getting his license so he will have "the opportunity to supervise and start his own business in construction".