Community Voice - August 2023

THE COMMUNITY VOICE A Quarterly Newsletter by Community Services Employment Training

August 2023

Dear Community Partners, I am delighted to share some remarkable highlights from this past quarter with you. The summer has been extremely busy with recruitment and outreach activities as we continue to promote our range of programs, resources, and opportunities.

Throughout the month of August, teams from across departments actively participated in outreach events, engaging collectively with more than 700 families and individuals. Our Sequoia Community Corps will take on a new initiative by training Corpsmembers to safeguard the Giant Sequoias from potential fire hazards. We are excited for the months ahead as we cultivate new partnerships, connect more families to water bill assistance, raise awareness about fair housing rights, and expand youth leadership opportunities in Tulare County.

Thank you to our partners, volunteers, board, and staff who remain committed to our mission. We could not do this work without you!

Sincerely, Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner, CSET Executive Director

DONOR SPOTLIGHT: BANK OF AMERICA CSET was recently awarded $30,000 from Bank of America to continue our partnership in expanding youth opportunities. Local school districts placed the youth in unpaid internships throughout the County, and the Bank of America donation was used to provide stipends for the youth.

Local youth recipients of the Bank of America internship program.

This long-standing collaboration opens doors to valuable career pathways and mentorship for young individuals in Tulare County. We are grateful for Bank of America's unwavering commitment to supporting local youth in their professional journeys.

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HELPING FAMILIES SECURE HOUSEHOLD WATER The Energy Services team continues its outreach efforts to connect local families in Tulare County to the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). Water Bill Assistance events have taken place countywide to help local residents apply for available financial assistance to help offset current or past due home water bills.

The Energy Services team at a recent LIHWAP outreach event in Visalia.

Through a combination of pop-up events, community partnerships, and effective communication strategies, the team has achieved a measurable impact for more than 260 households throughout Tulare County. To schedule an appointment or to gain more information, prospective applicants can call 1-844-224-1316. For an updated list of utility companies participating in the LIHWAP program, visit www.cset.org/lihwap.

CONNECTING LOCAL FAMILIES TO ESSENTIAL RESOURCES Summer has been a busy season as departments met with people where they live to share information on vital resources. The Community Initiatives department participated in several local resource events such as the Allensworth Resource Fair, Back to School Health Fairs in Orosi and Visalia, and a Neighborhood Market Food Bank distribution.

Raffle winners at a recent community event in Orosi.

Attendees received informative flyers about CSET services including Housing, VITA, Energy, Weatherization, and Senior Services. The event also featured raffle winners who received prizes generously donated by CSET. Collectively, these events reached approximately 500 individuals, delivering essential resources and fostering community well-being.

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CORPS LEADS EMERGENCY RESPONSE GRANT FOR GIANT SEQUOIAS The Sequoia Community Corps launched the Giant Sequoia Emergency Response Grant, a groundbreaking initiative geared towards protecting the majestic Giant Sequoias in the Sequoia National Forest. It aims to clear a 30-acre area around the Giant Sequoias, enhancing the forest’s resilience in case of fire in the region. The response grant will offer a three-month, full-time seasonal forestry aide position in the Sequoia National Forest.

Sequoia Community Corps mascot Rocky the Raccoon helping clean up the Sequoia National Forest.

The program will equip Corpsmembers ages 18-26 with the essential skills and experience required to safeguard the Giant Sequoias from potential fire hazards and promote environmental conservation. Those interested in a forestry aid position as a Sequoia Community Corpsmember can apply at www.cset.org/sequoia-community-corps.

LOCAL STUDENTS AWARDED $20,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS FROM BANK OF THE SIERRA We celebrate the accomplished students from Tulare County who have been awarded scholarships from the CSET and Bank of the Sierra Scholarship Partnership Fund.

Youth recipients who received a scholarship through the Bank of the Sierra Scholarship Partnership Fund.

A special scholarship dinner organized by CSET's Youth Workforce team was held on July 27th to recognize these outstanding individuals. The youth will be pursuing their education at local CSUs, UCs, and even MIT. To all the scholarship recipients, congratulations on your achievements, and we wish you major success in all your future endeavors.

VISALIA NAVIGATION CENTER PROGRESSES Progress on the construction of the Visalia Navigation Center remains steady, and our excitement grows as we approach the anticipated opening in 2024. The Navigation Center will connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness with crucial resources including shelter, healthcare, employment services, mental health counseling, and an array of other essential provisions. We eagerly await the opportunity to offer these services to those in need.

An artistic rendering of the Visalia Navigation Center’s outdoor common area.

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MARISSA’S JOURNEY OF SUCCESS WITH ECO Marissa is a Visalia resident who was referred to the Visalia Employment Connection by a local community partner because she was experiencing homelessness. Marissa's work history was limited and sporadic, making it difficult for her to find full-time employment with a sustainable living wage.

At Employment Connection, Marissa began working with a Career Coach who connected her with several job readiness workshops and encouraged her to attend weekly Job Connect hiring events. Her goal was to find a job and establish a good work history to obtain long-term permanent employment.

Employment Connection staff members provided Marissa with funds to purchase work clothing and assistance with transportation to work, and helped her enroll in the Environment Clean Up Opportunities (ECO) program, a partnership with the City of Visalia and the Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County.

Visalia CSET 312 NW 3rd Ave. Visalia, CA 93291 Tel. 559.732.4194 Visalia Employment Connection 4025 W. Noble Ave. # B Visalia, CA 93277-1631 Tel. 559.713.5000 Tulare Family Resource Center & Employment Connection Affiliate 304 E. Tulare Ave. Tulare, CA 93274 Tel. 559.684.1987 Porterville Employment Connection 1063 W. Henderson Ave. Porterville, CA 93257 Tel. 559.788.1400 Earlimart CSET 176 N. Front St. Earlimart, CA 93219 Tel. 661.849.2960 Orosi CSET 12737 Ave. 417 Orosi, CA 93647 Tel. 559.216.0438 Pixley CSET 927 Center St. Pixley, CA 93256 Tel. 559.575.0098

Marissa and the other ECO team members worked with the Sequoia Community Corps Porterville CSET on beautification projects around 108 E. Morton Ave. the City of Visalia learning new Porterville, CA 93257 skills, gaining critical work Tel. 559.216.0525 experience, and developing a steady work routine. At the end CSET Senior Services 1.800.321.2462 of her training program, Marissa on the job as a Solid Cutler-Orosi, Earlimart, Exeter, Marissa began full-time Waste Associate.

Farmersville, Goshen, employment as a Solid Lindsay, Porterville, & Woodlake Waste Associate earning a livable wage with a bright future.

View more stories at www.cset.org/client-success-stories.

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

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