Recognition

Pew Partnership and USA Today
Recognize Taller San Jose

The Pew Partnership's Solutions for America program named Taller San Jose as a national model for solving social problems. The Solutions for America program, based in Charlottesville, Virginia, is a national initiative documenting and disseminating information about programs that are solving tough challenges in communities across the country. Taller San Jose is one of just 19 programs that were recognized by the Pew Partnership.

On Monday, May 20, 2002 USA Today profiled the 19 programs, including Taller San Jose:

"The study is part of an effort by community groups and their sponsors to learn lessons from projects in other places. That's increasingly important as governments tighten budgets and private foundations require evidence that the projects they fund actually work. 'We don't have the luxury to just let a thousand flowers bloom,' says Suzanne Morse, executive director of the civic research group. 'Community projects are chronically strapped for funds…if we were in the stock market, we would say bet on the ones that have the most promising results and you're likely to get better returns. That's what we're saying.'"

The study concluded that these programs: "deal with people's problems in a comprehensive way; develop extensive contacts throughout the community; and assess their results."

Two years of research by the Pew Partnership found that at Taller San Jose:

42% of students have earned their GED

69% have obtained a job that pays more than the minimum wage

97% of program participants remain free of violent crime

Honors:

In 1998, Sister Eileen McNerney was named Woman of the Year for the 71st Congressional District, State of California.

In 2000, Sister Eileen McNerney was named Woman of the Year for the 69th Congressional District, State of California.

In 2002, Sister Eileen McNerney was designated as a representative of the City of Santa Ana in a roundtable with President George W. Bush.

In 2003, Sister Eileen McNerney was presented with the Outstanding Founder Award by the Orange County Chapter of Fundraising Professionals.

In 2004, Sister Eileen McNerney received the Hispanic Influentials Award for Community Service by Orange County United Way.

Sister Eileen McNerney will be awarded the Hearts on Fire Award by the Loyola Institute for Spirituality in April 2005.

Recognition:

In 1998, Taller San Jose received the national Audrey Nelson Community Development Award for exemplary use of community development funds.

In 2002, Taller San Jose was identified by the Pew Partnership as one of 19 Solutions for America Programs that address critical issues in society in a creative and effective manner.

In 2002, Taller San Jose was selected as a promising practice by the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at USC.