JVS ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF
CAREER PLANNING CENTER

Move Will Expand JVS’ Service Locations and Ensure that
Los Angeles Job Seekers Continue to have Access to Vital
Job Training, Counseling and Placement Services

(LOS ANGELES) April 22, 2004 -- JVS – one of Southern California’s largest nonprofit career counseling organizations - today announced that it has acquired Los Angeles-based Career Planning Center (CPC). With an annual budget of more than $4 million, CPC provides a broad range of career counseling services to a diverse client base. Under the new alliance, JVS will nearly double its operating capacity as it assumes management of CPC’s five centers in Los Angeles.

“The partnership with CPC is a logical step for both organizations as we seek to expand services and capitalize on our collective strengths,” said Vivian Seigel, JVS’ CEO, who will also assume CEO duties for Career Planning Center. “This move brings together over 100 years of expertise in the career and employment arenas.”

Currently, JVS provides career counseling, corporate training, employment and consulting services to more than 14,000 individuals and 1,500 businesses each year from its 11 locations throughout Los Angeles. The alliance with CPC will raise the number of JVS locations to 16 and enable the organization to assist an additional 10,000 people a year through CPC’s existing Marina Del Rey WorkSource Center and offices in West Los Angeles and the Antelope Valley.

The alliance between the two organizations follows the recent decision to retire by CPC director Eleanor Hoskins, who founded the organization in 1972. “With my retirement, I wanted to ensure the viability of CPC and maintain the quality of service that has always characterized our organization,” said Ms. Hoskins. “I am delighted that CPC is now under the expert direction of Vivian Seigel.”

Among CPC’s many organizational partners are the National Council on Aging, LAUSD Venice Skill Center and West LA College, to name a few. CPC’s highly successful Family Development Network provides emergency services to low income families on the Westside in partnership with a number of community based organizations including St. Joseph’s Center, Boys and Girls Club of Venice, COPE, Latino Resource Organization, Legal Aid Foundation of LA, Westside Children’s Center, Project HEAVY West and the Venice Family Clinic.

Ms. Hoskins will be acknowledged for her dedicated service at the helm of CPC during JVS’ 7th Annual Strictly Business Luncheon, to be held May 20th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The event will honor biomedical innovator and philanthropist Alfred E. Mann as JVS’ 2004 Business Leader & Humanitarian, and STAPLES, Inc. as JVS’ Corporate Citizen of the Year. The luncheon will be preceded by a business networking reception.

Founded in 1931, Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) is one of Los Angeles’ oldest and largest nonprofit organizations dedicated exclusively to employment issues. JVS’ diverse programs are non-sectarian, assisting a wide range of populations, from seasoned executives and recent graduates to people facing profound barriers to employment, including at-risk youth, newly arrived refugees and people with disabilities.

JVS’ West Hollywood WorkSource Center and CPC’s Marina Del Rey WorkSource Centers are part of the network of employment assistance centers throughout California, and has been described by Speaker of the California Assembly Herb Wesson as “an antidote to economic dependency and youth gang activity.”

JVS also offers a comprehensive range of outsourced human resources and consulting services to local businesses. Next year, the organization celebrates its 75th anniversary. More information about JVS and the upcoming Strictly Business Luncheon is available at www.jvsla.org.

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