CSET Annual Report FY1718

Fiscal Year 2017-2018

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Over the course of 42 years, CSET has addressed ever-challenging local needs as the Community Action Agency for Tulare County, but we haven’t done it alone. Empowering people of all ages to move out of poverty requires the will, resources, and passion of many stakeholders working together. I am honored to work with so many dedicated and innovative partners, and I invite you to read about a few of them reflected in this 2017-18 annual report.

185

staff members

Effective collaborations have created new programs, connected residents to coordinated services, sustained them through challenges, and celebrated their successes. Take for example a pilot program CSET launched this year with Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency’s TulareWORKs. This program introduced welfare-to-work participants to new career paths through CSET’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Participants completed the training to become IRS-certified tax preparers then worked alongside professionals to complete tax returns for low-income individuals. The pilot demonstrated that collaboration results in significant benefits for our shared customers.

Our customers are our most important partners, as their needs and interests inform our services. CSET’s programs can help them overcome barriers and achieve personal successes.

We are excited to announce our plans to feature the success stories and highlights of CSET alumni, so if you are one of the thousands of people who have participated in CSET programs over 4 decades, we hope you will inspire the community with your story. In the upcoming months, we will launch a section on our website to share these remarkable success stories. In the meantime, enjoy the highlights and impactful stories featured in this year’s annual report.

- Executive Director Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner

36 programs 4

program departments

1

important mission

TABLE OF CONTENTS Get to know us and the impact of CSET programs.

3&4

Board of Directors & Financial Review

CSET’S MISSION CSET inspires youth, families and communities to achieve self-reliance through innovative pathways and collaboration.

CSET’S VISION We share a vision for communities and residents to gain the knowledge, skills and resources needed to achieve the American Dream. To achieve this vision, we commit ourselves to these core values:

5&6

Community Initiatives

7&8

Energy Services

• We strive to assist residents regionally in improving their lives.

Sequoia Community Corps

• We create opportunities for children, youth, parents and families to be competitive in an increasingly challenging economy.

11 & 12

Workforce Development

• We continue to strengthen our organization by developing internal leadership, embracing diversity and maintaining integrity in every venture.

13 & 14

A Special Thank You

9 & 10

• We seek partnerships with other agencies to provide the best possible services to our community.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

“CSET clearly understands and successfully implements the elements of this organization’s Mission Statement. The staff, volunteers and allied agencies provide the much needed opportunities to serve and meet the needs of individuals and families, to achieve self-sufficiency. This Board is proud to support the excellent efforts of this mission-dedicated organization that achieves positive results in our communities.”

- Incoming Board President Gordon McClaskey The board is responsible for steering CSET towards a sustainable future that advances its mission by adopting sound, ethical legal governance and financial management policies.

3

PUBLIC SECTOR

PRIVATE SECTOR

LOW-INCOME SECTOR

Bob Barnier, President Gordon McClaskey Nancy Loliva Jill Maze

Tom Burns, Vice-President David Brett, Treasurer Sharon Herbert Ed Byrne

Marcia Becerra, Secretary Malorie Barragan Ryan Toledo Sofia Cook

FINANCIAL REVIEW

“CSET’s financial health and sustainability are rooted in the organization’s ability to achieve program success impacting lives year after year. Consistent program success is driven by a commitment to CSET’s mission and vision in all departments and at all levels within the organization. Finance Department staff live this dedication to mission daily, working to ensure continued adequate funding to program services.”

INCOME ASSETS

Cash Receivables Prepaid Expenses Property & Equipment Income Assets

FUNCTIONAL EXPENDITURES

TOTAL

LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS

Contracts & Grants Other

TOTAL

- Chief Financial Officer Esta Willman

$17,495,990 $782,839 $509,417 $2,086,293 $125,494 $4,523,338 $18,278,829 $7,244,542

Current Liabilities Noncurrent Liabilities Unrestricted Net Assets Temporarily Restricted Net Assets

$2,001,941 $1,316,776 $2,609,430 $1,316,395

Liabilities Net Assets Liabilities & Net Assets

$3,318,717 $3,925,825 $7,244,542

Program Services Management & General

88% 12%

4

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

“Community Initiatives is inspired by the amazing people we serve in our communities. This year we implemented a Whole Family Approach that helps us maximize points of entry for families and individuals seeking our services. We are removing barriers to helping and strengthening our power of helping others.�

- Director of Community Initiatives Raquel Gomez

The Community Initiatives department manages a variety of family development and capacity building programs. These programs promote community visioning, train community leaders and strengthen the residential, business and familial assets of local communities. Each of these programs is aimed at reducing the causes of poverty through strategies that unite residents, improve neighborhoods and empower youth to be leaders.

Resources provided by the department include the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), Senior Services, Family Resource Centers, Housing Support Services and the Bridge Loan Fund Program. Community Initiatives is dedicated to the development of safe and prosperous Tulare County communities where youth, families and businesses thrive.

5

A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS

A Collaborative Pilot Program

Families served through Family Resource Center programs

A collaborative pilot program was launched Fall

430

2017 in partnership with Tulare County Health &

Meals served to Tulare County seniors Individuals who received rental or mortgage assistance

Human Services Agency’s TulareWORKs and CSET’s

95,221

VITA and NextStep programs to engage welfare-to-work

86

participants in a new training opportunity. The NextStep program recruited welfare-to-work

Community volunteers

682 125

participants from TulareWORKs to be trained and certified through the VITA program as tax preparers and site supervisors during the VITA 2018 Tax Season. Participants completed 6 weeks of IRS-sponsored training to be certified in tax preparation.

Supportive Housing placements

The collaborative pilot program implemented creative and unique strategies to benefit participants and the community. Participants enhanced their technical and soft skills, earned an industry-recognized

Total amount in tax refunds to Tulare and Kings County residents

certification, and gained paid work experience in tax preparation.

$3.8 million

the tax preparer industry, all while serving their communities and

Tax returns completed through VITA

3,026

Ultimately, participants gained exposure to high demand professions in boosting their professional networks. The pilot program is a true testament of community partnership and an equitable strategy that strengthens low-income families through innovative career readiness training.

6

ENERGY SERVICES Energy Services offers low-income families in Tulare County a range of no-cost services to assist them on their path toward self-sufficiency. The Utility Assistance programs provide utility bill assistance to residents struggling to cover these costs, while the Weatherization program reduces heating and cooling costs by installing energy efficiency measures in the home, keeping families warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Both programs encourage a reduction of energy usage through energy efficiency and client education.

Corpsmembers of the Sequoia Community Corps assess the energy efficiency of a home and recommend improvements, such as carbon monoxide alarms, window replacement, ceiling insulation, and other minor home repairs. CSET is proud to offer programs that improve the health and safety of Tulare County families.

7

“We recognize the financial hardship and excruciating choices many residents face between heating and cooling their home, paying the rent/mortgage, having enough food to last through the month and meeting other basic needs. Our Energy Services Programs are dedicated to help reduce hardships by aiding residents with energy costs, meeting their home energy needs and reducing the consumption of energy which in turn reduces utility bills and provides residents with more discretionary income.�

- Director of Energy Services Nora Carrillo

A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS

A warm “Thank You” from Mr. Alston "Thank you CSET for your great service. I was very impressed with the CSET team at Douglas on how they assisted me during my home

Individuals who received energy assistance

5,650

weatherization process - I felt the need to compliment their work! A special thank you to CSET staff

Energy Services workshops held

members and contractors that performed the work at my residence.

613

Now with my new wall-heating unit, I no longer have to deal with another

Families who received support from the Gas or Energy Assistance Fund (GAF, EAF)

stick of wood. CSET saved my life!"

- Ronnie Alston

379

For the past 35 years, Ronnie Alston and his wife lived in an older home in

Homes weatherized

102

Dinuba. The 125-year-old house had no proper heating, insulation, or cooking appliances and relied on an aged wood burning stove for both cooking and heating.

Ronnie’s life significantly changed when his wife passed. Concerned for his health and living conditions, Ronnie applied for weatherization and utility

Carbon monoxide alarms installed

80

assistance through CSET's Energy Services. Ronnie received services that significantly improved his quality of life, including assistance with paying

Smoke alarms installed

183

utility bills for light and propane, attic and floor insulation, a new cook stove, and a new wall-heating unit. Ronnie expressed how touched and grateful he was by all the assistance he received from CSET staff, stating, “CSET saved my life!”

8

SEQUOIA COMMUNITY CORPS The Sequoia Community Corps (SCC) offers vocational training in the trades of construction, solar, weatherization, urban forestry, recycling, electronic waste collection, used oil collection and recycling education. SCC has successfully operated in Tulare and Kings Counties for the past 30 years, providing more than 4,000 young adults with valuable job training and educational opportunities. SCC assists local governments, agencies and businesses meet critical community needs such as park development, recycling services, weatherization of homes, and natural resource conservation in local recreation areas. Various partners include Self-Help Enterprises, Urban Tree Foundation and local municipalities.

9

“Many of the young men and women of the Sequoia Community Corps enter the program with significant barriers to employment, including little to no work experience, lack of a high school diploma, living below the poverty level, and personal challenges. The corps provides young adults with the opportunity to preserve and protect our communities’ environment all while gaining job readiness training, work experience, and postsecondary opportunities to live a more productive and fulfilling life.”

- Director of the SCC Department of Recycling Teresa Guzman

A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS

Daughter of Immigrants Reaches Major Milestones Crystal Gutierrez along with her

Corpsmembers

younger siblings faced significant

107

hardships when their immigrant parents were deported. Crystal was 20 years old when she enrolled in

Community service projects

the Sequoia Community Corps,

John Muir Charter School graduates

raising 3 young children and her younger teen sister at the time. She

7

25

enrolled in the John Muir Charter School in 2014 and balanced an office position through the Sequoia Community Corps’ Department of

Hours of community service

Recycling until Summer 2017.

550

While in the corps, Crystal earned a high school diploma, gained

Volunteers

work experience, and attended

141

College of the Sequoias. Crystal also gained access to CSET’s rental assistance as well as parenting and

Trees planted

708

money management classes. All of these opportunities increased Crystal’s skills and knowledge, which ultimately helped her qualify to become a first time homebuyer in Farmersville.

Through perseverance and commitment, Crystal moved into her new

Pounds of recycled e-waste

home Christmas of 2017. We are very proud of Crystal’s many achievements and the confident strong professional woman she has

746,675

become. When we followed up with Crystal, she was still working full time with the company that hired her at the time of her transition from the

Pounds of recycled CRV material

292,475

corps, and recently she launched her own cleaning business. Crystal shared that her time in the corps was life changing and is extremely thankful for all the support she received at CSET.

10

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CSET provides workforce development services that assist local businesses to thrive, while training residents of all ages to find their path to good jobs. These services are funded by the Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County (WIB), Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency, Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging, and others. CSET is the WIB's One-Stop Service Provider for the Employment Connection - a proud partner of America's Job Center of California Network - in Visalia and Porterville, with satellite services in Tulare. Each location is equipped with a Resource Room including computers, printers, and internet access. Businesses attend specialized workshops to speak with job seekers who learn about employment opportunities. Youth gain work readiness and leadership skills, plan for college and careers, and gain valuable experiences through work-based learning.

11

“CSET’s workforce development programs links local job seekers and employers in growing industries in the Central Valley. Job seekers gain access to industry aligned job training and job search assistance to meet their career goals.

Employers gain professional assistance to attract and retain a diverse workforce.

These efforts can strengthen our local economy” - Director of Workforce Development Craig Plath

A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS Individuals served through Workforce Development programs

3,376

Taking The NextStep Prior to enrolling in the NextStep program, Erica Lopez was discouraged and often uncertain of her career goals. After a couple of weeks in the program, she began to feel better about her path. Program staff became her support system, challenging her outlook on gaining a good job. She attended job readiness workshops in résumé writing and interview prep, boosting her confidence and skill sets to market her qualifications and

Job fair attendees in Visalia & Porterville

1,650

402 On-The-Job training, Work Experience and Occupational Skills Training participants

experience to a potential employer.

In her own words, Erica described her journey in taking the next step with the support of NextStep and Workforce Development staff. The support and words of encouragement from staff were major contributors to her success in landing a job. She was appreciative of their positive attitude, empathy, and “easy-to-talk-to customer service.” She shared the following:

NextStep (Welfare-to-Work) participants

353

“The staff helped me

Youth who entered employment or enrolled in postsecondary education

409

become successful in many ways. They encouraged me to apply for jobs that I thought were out of my league. I was very fortunate to find the job I did at RPC Packing. I was blessed with

Youth Internship/ Work Experience contract hours

182,513

an amazing company and amazing staff. The NextStep program is

566 Total youth served

awesome and helps tremendously, even after you find a job. I really enjoy my job, and what brings me the most satisfaction is that I can be independent and support myself and my daughter again.”

12

CSET Volunteers What we do would not be possible without your dedication and support.

Thank you for helping us serve the youth, families and communities of Tulare County.

13

Abigail Terry - Abril Altamirano - Adam Ponce - Adela Perez - Aimee Murphy - Aldiva Rubalcava - Alejandra Medina - Alejandra Valencia - Alexis Cervantes Alice Keplinger - Alicia Ramos - Allizabeth Clavijo - Alondra Yanez - Alyssa Hernandez - Alyssa Mata - Amanda Dunfee - Amber Ceja - Amirae Garcia - Amy Pitigliano - Ana Gonzalez - Ana Torres - Ana Maldonado - Anahi Alvarez - Anahi Andrade - Andre Knox - Anel Torres - Angel Nanez - Angel Avitia - Angelica Garcia - Annie Lotokoom - Anthony Alvardo Garcia - Arcelia Aleman - Ariana Ferrer - Ariana Lopez - Arnulfo Garza - Ashley Tejeda-Oliver - Ashley Vazquez Bambi Leroy - Beatris Soto - Beatriz Sanchez - Bertha Hernandez - Bertha Bobadilla - Blanca Esparza - Blanca Carrillo - Bob McFarlane - Brashla Mestas Brenda Medrano - Brian Franks - Caleb Reed - Caliyah Keel - Candice Hilvers - Carina Felix - Carla Martinez - Carlos Castro - Carol Hollingshed - Carolina Reyes - Carolyn Lambert - Cassandra Valadez - Catherine Lobato - Cesar Luna - Cesar Padilla - Cesar Rubalcava - Chase Dockett -Jones - Christiano Tenbrook - Christina D. Barrera - Christopher Heerts - Claudia Cabrera - Conner Lenihan - Connie Flores - Connie Vela - Connie Banuelos - Crystal Saldana Cynthia Tinsley - Cynthia Medrano - Dan Bigler - Daniel Nasario - Daniel A. Torres - Danna Mestas - Danny Delgado - Darrin Dalton - Darrin Houston David Beeman - David Cecilio - Debbie Esparza - Debra Hauber - Delia Sanchez - Denise Kadara - Denise McKinley - Denise Alvarado - Destiny Martinez Devora Espinoza - Diane Hawkes - Diane Santos - Dillon Gunderson - Dioseline Manriquez - Divina Ostrea - Dollie Herd - Dona Davis - Donald Lett Dustinray Barajas - Elaine Grande - Elaine Conway - Elisa Chapa - Elisa Rodriguez - Elizabeth Valdez - Elizabeth Garcia -Elmer Leal - Elsie Alvarado - Elvira Barron - Emanuel Garcia - Emilio Perez - Esmeralda Garcia - Esmeralda Barrios - Esmeralda Hernandez - Estela Ramirez - Estella Bravo - Fabian Alvarado Fabian Bibiesca - Fatima Mora - Fernando Serrato - Francisco Delgado - Francisco Granados - Gabe Granillo - Genoveva Carrillo - Gerardo Herrera - Gerardo T. Hernandez - Gloria Saldivar - Gloria Munoz - Gloria Lopez - Glotia Lopez-Alvarez - Gracie Godinez - Guadalupe Vielmas - Gustavo Cisneros - Helena Kubik - Henrietta Sanchez - Hilda Cano - Humberto Flores - Iliana Gonzales - Imelda Ureno - Imelda Sanchez - Irma Gutierrez - Isabelle Bollinger - Itzel Aguayo - Jackie Brown - Jacob Salinas - Jasmin Ramos - Jasmine Womack -Jason Cobbs - Jayden Castro - Jennifer Malone - Jennifer Medina - Jennifer Rayo Jesse Rubalcava - Jesse Silva - Jessica Gabriel - Jesus Martinez - Jim Collins - Joanna Martinez - Joe Sierra - Joel Ramirez - John Gutierrez - John Elisha Ang Johnny Macias - Jon Hallberg - Jonathan Court - Jonathan Ramos - Jorge Zambrano - Jose Villalobosc - Jose Lopez - Jose Mendoza - Jose Gonzales - Jose Zuniga - Jose Lucas - Jose Zuniga - Joselin Maldonado - Joseph Graffagnino - Jovita Acosta - Juan Barrios - Juan Jimenez - Juan Reyes - Juan J. Sanchez Juana Arevalo - Juana Martinez - Juanita Trujillo - Julie Gurrola - Julie Martinez - Jurancco Liao - Karen Ellis - Kassandra Cendejas - Kayode Kadara - Kerol L Flores-Bello - Kevin Boonstra - Keyla Solorio - Khristopher Khamsouk - Kimberly Terry - Kimberly Villanueva - Larry Esparza - LaShonda Biggs - Leslie Chavez - Linda Lara - Lindsey Portillo - Lizzie Ibarra - Lorraine Villa - Lorraine Villa - Louis Tuvera - Lucero Lara - Lucilla Islas - Luis Hernandez - Lupe Garcia Lupe Sustaita - Lusiana Ceballos - Luz Elena Castillo - Mae Arline - Makayla Trujillo - Manahill Beig - Manuel Samano - Margaret Martinez - Margarita Lopez Margarita Serrato - Margarita Diaz - Margarita Saldana - Margie Sutton - Maria Sanchez - Maria Salcido - Maria Amaya - Maria Barrientos - Maria Cerros Maria Marmolejo - Maria Trujillo - Maria Vazquez - Maria Manzano - Maria Villa - Maria Florez Cruz - Maria Corona - Maria Lango - Maria Glafira Mota Plascencia - Maria R. Saldivar - Maribel Marcelino - Maricela Espinoza - Marie Garza - Marie Macedo - Marlene Arellano - Marlene Acosta - Martha Atchison Martin Hinojosa - Mary Brown - Mary Escarsega - Marybelle Mireles - Matthew Acuna - Matthew Barrera - Mayra Alejandra Ramirez - Meryem Boumzough Micallela Coleman - Michael Martinez - Michelle Alvarado - Mikayla Ortiz - Mimi Clayton - Miriam Gallegos - Miriam Gallegos - Miriam Gallegos - Monica Franks - Monica Flores - Mylene Hernandez - Nalleli Sanchez - Nariman Ajluni, Natalie Lopez - Natalie Acuna - Nereyda Pineda - Nerissa Bitanga - Nicole Ferreira - Nicole Martinez - Noe Garcia - Nora Cabrera - Norma A. Andrade - Odalys Rivera - Oscar Esquivel - Pardip Thind - Pastor Lopez - Patricia Lillo Patti Cornelius - Paula Maestaz - Paula Casimiro - Pawnit Kaur - Perla Ambriz - Rabbah Biggs - Rachel Rodriguez - Raeisa Noriega - Rafael Alvarez - Rafael Chavez - Ramona Lupercio - Rashawn Haynes - Raul Gonzalez - Richard Struble - Richard Mason - Richard Chevez - Rick Herrera - Rita Sanchez - Ritchie Arevalo - Rochelle Chambers - Rocio Duran - Roel Marroquin - Rogelio Mederos - Romelia Castillo - Ronique Henderson - Rosa Aguilar - Rosa De la Cruz Rosa Gutierrez - Rose Trujillo - Roshanda Smith - Rosie Pike - Ruben Almaguez - Ruben Munoz - Ruben Sandoval - Rudy Martinez - Rufus Sauceda - Ryan Toledo - Salma Maciel - Salvador Mendez - Sandra Jimenez - Sandy Sauceda - Santiago Melchor - Sara Ibarra - Saul Magana - Shauntel Edwards - Sidney D. Pedraza - Sijifredo Espinoza - Sofia Gallardo - Sofia Bedolla - Stephanie Macias - Steve Ortega - Sylvia Evridge - Sylvia Jimenez - Tanya Menchaca - Terry Schmal- Theresa Quintana - Theresa Pollack - Travis Thompson - Trent Conrad - Tyler Mosqueda - Valeria Rodriguez - Valerie Capone - Vanessa Gallegos Vashti Johnson - Veronica Cantu - Veronica Serrano Valencia - Veronica Saavedra - Victor Bowker - Victoria Campos - Violet Chavarria - Vittoria Rivera Yahaida Ruiz - Yasmin Solis - Yesenia Torres - Yoanna Andrade - Yorsou See - Yvonne Pierce - Zach Andrade - Alexander DeMarkoff - Teresa Guzman Jennifer Azevedo - Gary Kupfer - Vianey Moreno - Greg Lopez 14

Thank you !

Where COMMUNITY happens.

GET INVOLVED

VOLUNTEER WITH US

If you would like to learn more about our programs or are interested in volunteering for a community project, call us at (559) 732-4194, email us at info@cset.org, or visit us online at www.cset.org.

Give your time and volunteer in Tulare County. A great way to give back to your community, earn valuable skills, and build your network! Sign up at: www.cset.org

CONNECT WITH US

SHARE YOUR STORY

Stay informed with community updates, job openings, events and more by following us on social media. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

CSET Alumni, we want to hear from you! Inspire our community with your story. Are you one of the thousands of people CSET has helped in the past? Your story may be featured in our client success stories section, social media, and publications. Submit your story at: www.cset.org

LOCATIONS Visalia Main Office 312 NW 3rd Ave. Tel. (559) 732-4194 North County Youth Site 40802 Rd 128 Tel. (559) 528-1796 Pixley CSET Office 927 Center St. Tel. (559) 575-0098 Visalia Employment Connection 4025 W. Noble Ave., Suite B Tel. (559) 713-5000

Porterville Employment Connection 1063 W. Henderson Ave. Tel. (559) 788-1400 Tulare Family Resource Center & Employment Connection Affiliate 304 E. Tulare Ave. Tel. (559) 684-1987 Earlimart Family Resource Center 114 N. Front St. Tel. (661) 849-2960

Cutler/Orosi Senior Center 12691 Ave. 408 Tel. (559) 528-6108

Goshen Senior Center 6735 Ave. 308 Tel. (800) 321-2462

Earlimart Senior Center 712 E. Washington Tel. (661) 849-2232

Lindsay Senior Center 911 N. Parkside Ave. Tel. (559) 562-5859

Exeter Senior Center 301 South “E” St. Tel. (559) 592-5960

Porterville Senior Center 280 N. Fourth St. Tel. (559) 782-4725

Farmersville Senior Center 623 N. Avery Ave. Tel. (559) 667-2702

Woodlake Senior Center 145 N Magnolia St. Tel. (559) 564-3251