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 44,085 people to enter the workforce.
Brought $5.9 million in tax returns back to Tulare and Kings County residents through VITA. Made 130 homes more energy efficient. Recycled 204,417 pounds of CRV material. Awarded diplomas to 5 hardworking John Muir Charter School students.
LOCATIONS Visalia Main Office | 312 NW 3rd Ave. | Tel. (559) 732-4194
COMMUNITY OFFICES:
SENIOR CENTERS:
Visalia Employment Connection 4025 W. Noble Ave., Suite B Tel. (559) 713-5000
Cutler/Orosi Senior Center Tel. (559) 528-6108
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 176 N. Front St. Tel. (661) 849-2960 North County Youth Site 40802 Rd 128 Tel. (559) 528-1796
Earlimart Senior Center Tel. (661) 849-2232 Exeter Senior Center Tel. (559) 592-5960 Farmersville Senior Center Tel. (559) 667-2702 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
Pixley CSET Office 927 Center St. Tel. (559) 575-0098
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.
CONNECT WITH US! Stay informed with community updates, job opportunities, and events. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Where COMMUNITY Happens
Community Services Employment Training
OUR MISSION CSET inspires youth, families, and communities to achieve self-reliance through innovative pathways and collaboration.
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. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube!
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 of our partners: • Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency • Tulare County Office of Emergency Services • Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County
VITA
Business Services & Workforce Development
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Senior Centers
Sequoia Community Corps
CSET operates Senior Centers in eight locations across Tulare County: Cutler, Earlimart, Exeter, Farmersville, Goshen, Lindsay, Porterville, and Woodlake. Visit one of the centers to enjoy a nutritious meal, special programs, classes, games, and more.
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, 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.
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.
• Central Valley Community Foundation
Family Resource Centers
• Family HealthCare Network
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.
• Self-Help Enterprises
Youth Development
Recycling The Department of Recycling (DOR), a branch of the SCC, provides environmentally safe and convenient Beverage Container (CRV) and Electronic Waste recycling services to Tulare and Kings Counties. 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.