Before taking her job at GWC, our April 2010 Employee of the Month traveled the world as a dancer with magician Franz Harary (Franz Harary Production Services) and had even received a call-back for the Laker Girls. She had lived in Malaysia and visited India, Japan, Peru and Brazil, and performed in Atlantic City for 3 months. But Naomi Yoshida-Tan had decided it was time to settle into a full time job and put her clerical skills to use in her own community, so in November 2000 she joined our GWC family and has been an integral part of the Re-Entry CalWORKs Program ever since.
A co-worker described her well… “She has been the lead staff person for the past ten years, and with all the budget reductions in categorical funding, Naomi has been the only full-time staff person for the past seven years. From 2008 to present, CalWORKs program numbers have increased by 33% while the state budget support decreased by 40%. She is the glue that holds the program together. She directs the front office student assistants and hourly staff, processes paperwork so that CalWORKs students receive book money each semester and ensure that they will continue to receive their cash aid, which is their livelihood and only means of support. She coordinates the child care for our students and must get each student’s child care provider board-approved before child care can be paid by our program. Without childcare, the CalWORKs students could not go to school. She also assists in completing state, federal and county reports which are extensive in nature, and prepares the MIS reports each semester which generate a funding source each year.”
In spite of the challenges, Naomi loves being a part of a great team whose purpose it is to maintain services to CalWORKS students in their efforts to earn a degree and move on to a better life – especially in this economy. Her favorite part of her job is the feeling that at GWC she is a part of a family, and she loves having our lush green campus, complete with animal life, as a backdrop to her work environment. On campus, she’s shared her engaging smile and upbeat attitude at College Preview Day and the Health Fair.
A Golden West alumna, Naomi began as a Business/Accounting major, then switched to English and finished her BA in English at UCI. She grew up in Westminster and married her High School sweetheart the summer after she was hired. They now have two adorable children. With grandparents and siblings local, she gets to enjoy her family on a regular basis.
So, what about dancing? These days, Naomi enjoys ballet and yoga, and spending time with her kids.
Congratulations to you, Naomi, and thank you for your vigorous and devoted service to our students!
