Corps Connection
Sequoia Community Corps
Corpsmembers Attend Goverment Education Day Last month, four Corpsmembers were selected to attend Government Day at the State Capitol. Shaini Phelps, Guillermo Blanco, Catarina Rodriguez, and Alex Kirksey had the opportunity to meet with several legislators to share the impact of the Corps in their communities. The Corpsmembers highlighted the successes of YouthBuild and the Department of Recycling programs, detailing stories of building homes for low income families, and recycling over 2 million pounds of CRV material last fiscal year.
Corpsmembers pose inside the State Capitol.
The Corps provides more than professional and training opportunities for students like Guillermo Blanco, who feels the program has has helped him realize his potential. “I would probably be dead if it weren’t for the Corps,” said Guillermo, who was recently promoted to a Recycling Education Specialist. “This has been one of the most positive experiences of my life.”
Corpsmember Spotlight: Iliana Casas Iliana Casas joined the Corps in 2014 to assist with program data entry, filing, contracts, and other agency tasks. Her experience led to an opportunity to join the Energy and Housing team in October of last year as a program specialist. As a Corpsmember she said she learned the importance of following up with contacts and letting hard work speak for itself. Iliana is now working on her bachelor's degree in business management at Fresno Pacific University. Iliana Casas
"Never give up — show them what you're capable of and you will be given opportunities." Iliana said. Iliana’s hard work is recognized by her peers and her supervisors. “Iliana is a true asset to our team—she is a progressive thinker and problem solver who wants to see our department succeed," said Iliana's supervisor, Jacqueline Bean, senior program coordinator in Energy and Housing.
Volume Twelve — April 2015
INSIDE Earth Day 2015 Projects Program Spotlight YouthBuild
Corps Connection Volume Twelve — April 2015
Join the Sequoia Community Corps for Earth Day 5 201 AY HD T R EA
From community clean-ups to flowerbed revivals, Earth Day brings communities together to make an impact and encourage change. Earth Day events will be held in various communities throughout Tulare County, including Allensworth, Earlimart, and Visalia. Recycling is one of the many ways to help preserve our planet. Many sites will be offering free drop-off of trash and e-waste. To learn more, please visit our Earth Day project page or contact us at (559) 732-4194.
The Sequoia Community Corps’ Department of Recycling collects e-waste and recyclables year-round at the locations below. For more information, please call (559) 732-4194. Exeter Mobile Recycling Center (E-Waste & CRV), 314 W. Firebaugh St., Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Goshen Recycling Center (E-Waste & CRV), 6744 Ave. 305, Suite A6, Monday through Saturday 8:30am to 3:00 p.m.; Lindsay Drop-off (E-Waste-only), 150 N. Mirage Ave, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Woodlake Mobile Recycling Center (E-Waste & CRV),137 Valencia St., Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Porterville Drop-off, 555 N. Prospect, third Saturday of the month, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; Tulare Drop-off (E-Waste only), 3981 S. K St., Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Visalia Sears, 3501 Mooney Blvd., Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Program Spotlight: YouthBuild The YouthBuild program, in coordination with the Sequoia Community Corps, has begun its fourth cohort with ten students preparing to start the program. Since July 2014, 22 homes have been constructed through the program, and a total of 45 Corpsmembers have been enrolled this fiscal year. The last project was completed 45 days early with the help of YouthBuild participants.
YouthBuild participants pose with teammates at a work site.
YouthBuild participants assist with the construction of local homes, while learning the fundamentals of construction and overall site management. Projects include public and industrial works construction, and residential housing construction.
Corpsmembers are trained in cement, framing, electrical, plumbing, finish carpentry and other skills. In addition, Corpsmembers also earn equipment certifications for bobcat, boomlift, backhoe and forklift. Many graduates go on to work in construction related jobs. In addition, Corpsmembers receive PACT certification and must complete their high school diploma. YouthBuild partners include Self-Help Enterprises, Tulare County Resource Management Agency and the Building Industry Association. This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. For more information on YouthBuild, please visit CSET online at www.CSET.org, or contact us at (559) 732-4194. The mission of the Sequoia Community Corps is to provide young men and women with job training, education, leadership and environmental awareness through performance of community and conservation work projects. Corps Connection is published quarterly by the Sequoia Community Corps.