ChevronTexaco’s San Joaquin Valley Business Unit, California’s largest oil producer, has an innovative community outreach program called the SMARTS Program (Students Making A Road To Success) that’s been honored by PEPNet, a U.S.-based best-practices-sharing network for nonprofit groups.
SMARTS, formerly known as STARS (Success to At-Risk Students), helps high school and college students earn money while learning about careers and getting real-world work experience. It's the only program run by a for-profit business to be recognized by PEPNet. Started in 1995, SMARTS first received the PEPNet award in 1998 and again in 2002 due to significant improvements.
More than 400 students have participated in the program, and over 90 percent have graduated from high school. Since 2001, 15 year-round interns have graduated from college. In 2002, the program was also awarded the National Safety Council’s Award of Merit for a second consecutive year.
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