414th SCMS employee, Hill AFB recognized by community employment program

  • Published
  • By 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  An employee here received recognition during an event May 18 in Salt Lake City for improving the lives of families, women, and children in the community.

Brenda Jaramillo, a production management specialist with the 414th Supply Chain Management Squadron, received acknowledgement on behalf of Hill AFB from People Helping People, a Utah employment program, during their spring social.

The acknowledgement stemmed from Hill’s ongoing employer partnership with PHP.

PHP is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the number of children living in poverty by teaching low-income women, primarily single mothers, how to earn an adequate income through stable employment that pays a living wage. The program would not be possible without volunteers.

“We do our work through great volunteers like Brenda,” said Kayleen Simmons, PHP executive director. “And we appreciate the opportunity not only for her to share her time and talent with us, but for her to talk about her experience at Hill AFB and why it’s such a great employer and encourage our clients to consider the opportunities there.”

Jaramillo began volunteering with the PHP Employment Program in Ogden four years ago and offers information to participants on the ins and outs of federal employment, helps with résumés, and provides familiarization with USAJobs.

“I go monthly to PHP and I talk to the people in their program, mostly single mothers,” she said. “I try to let them know that I was a single parent and that if I could do it, they could do it.”

In addition to her regular job in the 414th SCMS and volunteer duties with PHP, Jaramillo is a Hill AFB Special Emphasis Program Manager for American Indians and Native Alaskans. Part of her responsibility as a SEPM involves talking to youth in the community about the importance of education to their futures.

“During this time when education is so important, I go out to Davis County and Weber County elementary and junior high schools and push how important education is,” she said. “When you talk to the younger children, they understand that there’s always something better and that education can help get them there.”

Jaramillo said the reason she volunteers is that she likes to give back to the community; she also said she hopes that if her children or grandchildren one day need an extra push, that there will be someone there to help.

“I like to make people feel that they’re included and not left out,” she said. “That’s what it’s all about to me. We as humans all need each other.”