WHAT IS CSET? Since 1976, Community Services Employment Training (CSET) has been the Community Action Agency for Tulare County. Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are nonprofit organizations established to fight America’s War on Poverty. CSET shares a vision for residents to gain the knowledge, skills and resources needed to achieve the American Dream. Our decades-long commitment to serve the people of our county remains strong. We continue to create and implement innovative and cost-effective programs that improve the living conditions and opportunities of low-income residents. Local government, nonprofit organizations and other collaborators are vital partners in this work. Below is a snapshot of CSET’s community impact. Inside you will find descriptions of various programs and services available to residents. We invite you to learn more about what we do and hope that our work inspires you to join us on our mission to foster thriving youth, families, and communities. — Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner Executive Director
LAST YEAR, CSET.... Prepared 6,210 customers to enter the workforce Brought $2.6 million in tax returns back to Tulare and Kings County residents through VITA Made 66 homes more energy efficient Recycled nearly 1.3 million pounds of CRV material Awarded diplomas to 21 hardworking John Muir Charter School students
LOCATIONS Visalia Main Office | 312 NW 3rd Ave. | Tel. (559) 732-4194
Visalia Employment Connection 4025 W. Noble Ave. Tel. (559) 713-5000
East Porterville Drought Resource Center 185 S. Leggett St. Tel. 1 (866) 284-5142
Porterville Employment Connection 1063 W. Henderson Ave. Tel. (559) 788-1400
North County Drought Resource Center 40802 Road 128, Cutler Tel. (559) 563-3086
Tulare Family Resource Center 304 E. Tulare Ave. Tel. (559) 684-1987
Cutler/Orosi Senior Center Tel. (559) 528-6108
Earlimart Family Resource Center 114 N. Front St. Tel. (661) 849-2960 Cutler/Orosi CSET 12691 Avenue 408 Tel. (559) 528-1095 Pixley CSET Office 927 Center St. Tel. (559) 757-1601 Goshen CSET Office 6505 Avenue 308 Tel. 1 (844) 224-1316
Earlimart Senior Center Tel. (661) 849-2232 Exeter Senior Center Tel. (559) 592-5960 Goshen Senior Center Tel. 1 (800) 321-2462 Lindsay Senior Center Tel. (559) 562-5859 Porterville Senior Center Tel. (559) 782-4725 Woodlake Senior Center Tel. (559) 564-3251
GET INVOLVED! If you would like to learn more about our programs, or are interested in volunteering for a community project, please contact us at (559) 732-4194 or info@cset.org. Find us online at www.CSET.org.
LIKE, TWEET, SUBSCRIBE!
Where COMMUNITY Happens
Stay informed with community updates, job opportunities, events and more. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Keyword: CSET
Community Services Employment Training
OUR MISSION
VITA
Business Services & Workforce Development
CSET inspires youth, families, and communities to achieve self-reliance through innovative pathways and collaboration.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program helps low-income families file their tax returns for free. The VITA service runs from February to April.
The Employment Connection offers businesses and job seekers with innovative employment and training services. Individuals can job search, participate in job readiness workshops, receive career counseling, and more. Businesses use the Employment Connection to screen, hire and train prospective employees. Employers are also eligible for tax credits and wage reimbursements.
GET TO KNOW US Learn more about CSET programs and services by visiting us online at www.CSET.org or by following us on social media. We share all the latest community updates, job opportunities, events and more! Keyword: CSET
OUR PARTNERS Our partnerships are important to us. They allow us to meet needs in our communities on a much grander scale. The impact collaboration has on our communities is invaluable. We are thankful for each and every one of our nearly 200 partnerships. Featured below are just a few: • Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency • Tulare County Office of Emergency Services • Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County • Central Valley Community Foundation • Family HealthCare Network • Self-Help Enterprises
Energy Assistance CSET’s Energy Services Department improves the health and safety of Tulare County residents by assisting with utility bills and providing home weatherization services. Energy Services also operates Drought Resource Centers in East Porterville & Cutler.
Housing Services The Housing Services Department administers short- and long-term assistance programs that build strong Tulare County communities. Supportive services help individuals and families achieve first-time homeownership, avoid foreclosure, improve living conditions and reach economic success.
Senior Centers CSET operates Senior Centers in seven locations across Tulare County: Cutler, Earlimart, Exeter, Goshen, Lindsay, Porterville, and Woodlake. Visit one of the centers to enjoy a nutritious meal, special programs, classes, games, and more.
Tech Connect CSET’s Tech Connect program engages youth in the Cutler-Orosi area. This nine-month technology learning and service initiative teaches youth ages 14-18 about computer repair, refurbishment and electronic recycling. Students are also assisted with college preparation plans, exposed to various career opportunities and trained to participate in community development programs like VITA.
Family Resource Centers The Earlimart and Tulare Family Resource Centers are one-stop shops providing families with support services ranging from health education and employment training to housing assistance and child development programs.
Youth Development CSET encourages and supports the growth of Tulare County youth through a variety of services. Youth Development provides leadership programs, educational resources, work-readiness workshops, career and college exploration experiences, youth employment opportunities, and more.
Sequoia Community Corps The Sequoia Community Corps (SCC) connects young adults ages 18-24 to educational and professional opportunities. Corpsmembers can earn their high school diploma while gaining vocational training in the trades of construction, solar, weatherization, urban forestry, recycling, electronic waste collection, used oil collection and recycling education. The Sequoia Community Corps also assists local governments, agencies and businesses meet critical community construction needs on a fee for service basis.
Recycling The Department of Recycling (DOR), a branch of the SCC, provides environmentally safe and convenient Beverage Container (CRV), Used Oil and Electronic Waste recycling services to Tulare and Kings County communities. Corpsmembers service all containers and operate multiple recycling centers that buy back empty CRV containers. The DOR also partners with local businesses and schools to engage and educate the community on recycling habits and benefits.