WHAT IS CSET?
Community Services Employment Training (CSET) is a non-profit agency established in 1976 to fight the War on Poverty. We are the Community Action Agency for Tulare County, joining a national partnership of agencies that assist individuals and communities to achieve self-reliance.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 DirectorCSET’S 2021-22 IMPACT....
Served 36,513 individuals through Workforce Development programs.
Brought $6.4 million in tax returns back to Tulare and Kings County residents through VITA.
4,520 households received energy assistance.
Recycled more than 331,907 pounds of CRV material.
294 youth engaged in leadership and job readiness training.
COMMUNITY
SENIOR CENTERS: Cutler/Orosi Senior Center Tel. (559) 528-6108
Porterville
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
S. Center St. Tel. (559) 575-0098
Porterville CSET Office 108 E. Morton Ave. Tel. (559) 216-0525
CONNECT WITH US!
Woodlake Senior Center Tel. (559) 564-3251
Visalia Main Office | 312 NW 3rd Ave. | Tel. (559) 732-4194 GET INVOLVED!
Services Employment Training
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, Youtube and Snapchat!
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
• Central Valley Community Foundation
• Family HealthCare Network
• Self-Help Enterprises
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program helps low-income families file their tax returns for free. The VITA service typically runs from February to April.
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. The department focuses on providing aid to low-income community members to manage their immediate heating and/or cooling needs.
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.
Business Services & Workforce Development
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.
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.
Visalia Low-Barrier Navigation Center
This Low-Barrier Navigation Center (LBNC) will provide wrap-around service-enriched living quarters focused on guiding residents into permanent housing. It will support individuals experiencing homelessness, offering a pathway to regain stability, access services, and find housing.
Senior Centers
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.
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.
Sequoia Community Corps
The Sequoia Community Corps (SCC) connects young adults ages 18-26 to educational and professional opportunities. Corpsmembers can earn their high school diploma while gaining vocational training in the trades of construction, 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.
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.