THE COMMUNITY VOICE
A Quarterly Newsletter by Community Services Employment TrainingDear Community Partners,
August 2023
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 re 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 sta 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.
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.
HELPING FAMILIES SECURE HOUSEHOLD WATER
The Energy Services team continues its outreach e orts 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 nancial assistance to help o set current or past due home water bills.
Through a combination of pop-up events, community partnerships, and e ective 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.
Attendees received informative yers about CSET services including Housing, VITA, Energy, Weatherization, and Senior Services. The event also featured ra e winners who received prizes generously donated by CSET. Collectively, these events reached approximately 500 individuals, delivering essential resources and fostering community well-being.
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 re in the region. The response grant will o er a three-month, full-time seasonal forestry aide position in 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 re 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.
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 o er these services to those in need.
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 di cult for her to nd 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 nd a job and establish a good work history to obtain long-term permanent employment. Employment Connection sta 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.
Marissa and the other ECO team members worked with the Sequoia Community Corps on beauti cation projects around the City of Visalia learning new skills, gaining critical work experience, and developing a steady work routine. At the end of her training program, Marissa began full-time employment as a Solid Waste Associate earning a livable wage with a bright future.
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
Porterville CSET 108 E. Morton Ave. Porterville, CA 93257 Tel. 559.216.0525
CSET Senior Services 1.800.321.2462
Cutler-Orosi, Earlimart, Exeter, Farmersville, Goshen, Lindsay, Porterville, & Woodlake