Corps Connection Newsletter - December 2019

CORPS CONNECTION Sequoia Community Corps

NEW SCC PROGRAMS KEEP COMMUNITIES CLEAN & GREEN This year, CSET’s Sequoia Community Corps (SCC) implemented two new transitional job programs - Back2Work (B2W) and Environmental Cleanup Opportunities Project (ECO).

B2W primarily trains local veterans and justice involved individuals through CalTrans litter abatement activities. The program is funded by a Butte County Office of Education and CalTrans partnership. Corpsmembers ensure routes are kept safe and clean by removing debris along Highways 99 and 198.

ECO assists individuals in Visalia experiencing homelessness gain job readiness skills and work experience to obtain full-time employment. The project is funded by the Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County and the City of Visalia. Corpsmembers conduct litter abatement projects throughout the city, earning the praise of neighborhood residents and local businesses.

Both B2W and ECO Corpsmembers gain access to job readiness workshops to develop the skills to re-enter the workforce. Workshops topics include interview tips, résumé building, applying to jobs online, and other job seeking strategies.

Since joining the B2W program, Corpsmember Micahel Irons shared how the program impacted his life:

“I finally got my own place. I had been sleeping in my van, and thanks to this program, I had a place to lay my head last night. I slept ALL night long with no one waking me up to move along."

Corpsmember Michael Irons.

Volume Twenty — December 2019

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CORPS CONNECTION Sequoia Community Corps

THE HIKE TO SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST & WEAVER LAKE Every year John Muir Charter School (JMCS) students and their teacher Mr. Brown organize a trip to the Sequoia National Forest for a day of learning and exploration. On October 10th, the group hiked four miles from Fox Meadow Trailhead to Jenny Lakes Wilderness.

Students learned about the different types of trees and leaves, including the distinguishing smells of each. The views of the giant sequoias were described as breathtaking. Along the trail they came across squirrels and saw deer from afar. Once they reached Weaver Lake, they enjoyed a lovely lunch provided by Mr. Brown.

While reflecting on the experience of the trip, one student described it as a grounding moment and shared the following about what they gained from the trip: “The hike was perfect because I had the silence all to myself that I couldn’t get anywhere else. I felt refreshed and at peace with some problems I had been facing. I also had time to reflect on some positive outcomes and mistakes I’ve made in the past, so the hike left me with a great personal outcome.”

In all, students found the trip very impactful. They appreciated the opportunity to explore the many aspects of nature for the first time and were grateful to spend time getting to know one another.

CORPSMEMBERS ACKNOWLEDGED DURING CORPS ANNUAL AWARDS

Corpsmembers opening raffle prizes during annual awards.

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More than 85 Corpsmembers gathered on December 12th for the annual Corps Awards Ceremony. The event kicked off with a breakfast and team building activities followed by some fun raffle prizes. Corpsmembers were honored for their great achievements and performance throughout the year. Various recognitions were presented across programs and among the eight Corpsmembers who were recognized for their extraordinary contributions, Corpsmember Atziri Perez was honored with the Corpsmember of the Year Award.

She will be among the thousands of national Corpsmembers to be recognized in Washington DC this spring. Join us in congratulating Atziri and all the honorees. View next page for list of honorees.

CORPS CONNECTION Sequoia Community Corps

HONORING MORE THAN A DECADE OF SERVICE TO THE CORPS On December 20th during a SCC staff appreciation gathering, Anthony Deleon and Jose Gomez were honored for their years of service to the corps. Join us in congratulating Anthony on 13 years and Jose on 15 years with the corps.

2019 Corpsmember Honorees.

Awards Perfect Attendance - Jose Gerardo Community Service Award - Darely Anguiano Corpsmember of the Year Nominees Public Works & Urban Forestry - Nathan Amavisca Energy Services (office) - Micaela Hernandez Energy Services (field) - Piper Kessinger Back2Work - Andrew Moreno ECO - Aaron Lavish Corpsmember of the Year Department of Recycling - Atziri Perez

Jose Gomez

Anthony Deleon

CORPS JOINS THE SPIRIT OF GIVING DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON All year long, Corpsmembers volunteer their time to support local residents in their time of need. This holiday season, they joined the spirit of giving by volunteering their time in various community drives. They assisted in the annual CSET Stockings for Seniors drive, bringing holiday cheer to Tulare County seniors with a stocking gift. More than 600 stockings were stuffed with blankets, scarves, and gloves to provide warmth and joy this holiday season.

On Thanksgiving morning, Corpsmembers assisted the Visalia Emergency Aid Council’s (VEAC) Race Against Hunger with numerous event tasks, benefiting more than 1,100 low-income families with food assistance and winter clothing. On December 20th, they joined forces once again with VEAC during its annual holiday toy drive.

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CORPS CONNECTION Sequoia Community Corps

COMMUNITY MEMBERS BRING HOLIDAY CHEER TO THE CORPS Corpsmembers and their families received numerous gifts this holiday season from various community members, bringing joy to the corps in this special time of the year. CSET and SCC would like to recognize the Visalia Breakfast Lions Club (VBLC) for their generous gift of 50 frozen turkeys during the month of November. A great appreciation also goes out to Tony Carrillo for coordinating the requests of turkeys from VBLC. Corpsmembers benefited from the wonderful donation, taking home a turkey to include in their Thanksgiving meal.

On December 12th, Corpsmembers and their families gathered for an evening of holiday cheer and treats. Families engaged in fun art activities and received a special visit from Santa Claus himself to take family photos. Santa granted 60 gifts to the children, all made possible with the helping hand of CSET staff.

“The annual SCC Christmas event sparks lots of joy in the families and children of the corps. This year was extra special considering our department’s tremendous growth. One of the most meaningful moments was witnessing one child’s reaction seeing Santa. They shouted ‘Santa’ and ran to his arms. Seeing their smiles made it all worth it,” expressed SCC Senior Program Specialist Christian Lozoya.

Thank you everyone for your generosity and support to the corps this holiday season.

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