THE COMMUNITY VOICE A Quarterly Newsletter by Community Services Employment Training
August 2021
Dear Community Partners, As we prepare for another surge of the Delta Variant in our region, CSET staff are working diligently to assure communities in Tulare County are informed regarding our safety net services. We continue to provide pandemic relief support services for eligible households such as rental or mortgage assistance, and utility bill payment assistance. In September, we hope to begin to also provide water utility payment assistance. Employment services are available to job seekers at our Employment Connection offices in Visalia, Tulare, and Porterville, who are re-entering the workforce or would like to explore a new career path. In this newsletter, we highlight CSET's ongoing services and some of our collaborative projects from the past few months, including our response effort in the community of Teviston. Thank you to our board of directors, volunteers, partners, funders, and staff for your commitment and continued support of CSET 's mission. Sincerely, Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner, CSET Executive Director
COMMUNITY INITIATIVES TEAM RESPONDS TO TEVISTON WATER CRISIS On June 16th, CSET's Community Initiatives team traveled to Teviston, CA (a small rural community approximately 3 miles south of Pixley on Highway 99) after the only functioning well in the community burst and left more than 700 residents without running water during triple-digit weather. The team delivered cases of bottled water door-to-door to more than 112 households.
Photo: Community Initiatives team delivering bottled water to Teviston residents.
CSET joined forces with the Tulare County Office of Emergency Services, Tulare County Fire Department, Tulare County Resource Management Agency, Self-Help Enterprises, Tulare County Risk Management, and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services in response to the urgent needs of the Teviston community. Page 1
THE SEQUOIA COMMUNITY CORPS BUILDS A 16,250 SQ. FT. SIDEWALK AT LEDBETTER PARK IN CUTLER The Ledbetter Park Sidewalk Project is located in Cutler, CA. This exciting project improves accessibility to the park with the addition of approximately 16,250 square feet of concrete, thanks to the efforts of the Sequoia Community Corps. Corpsmembers receive paid training under the supervision of skilled professionals. Residents gain additional walking, jogging, and biking amenities year-round. The newly constructed sidewalk also improves safety and mobility for all pedestrians, wheelchairs, and non-motorized users.
Photo: Sequoia Community Corpsmembers constructing the sidewalk in Cutler, CA.
MUFG UNION BANK FOUNDATION INVESTS $12,500 IN TULARE COUNTY ECONOMIC PROSPERITY PROJECTS
Learn more about ways to give and make an impact in the lives of many in Tulare County at www.cset.org/donate.
Thank you Union Bank Foundation for your contribution of $10,000 for the Corps Internship Academy and $2,500 for the VITA - Tax Preparation program. Young people will benefit tremendously from paid internship opportunities that foster leadership, career exploration, job training, and mentorship offered through the Corps Internship Academy. Together we will provide pathways to good jobs and access to important resources. We are honored and grateful for this investment in local job skill development and the people of our community. Additionally, our VITA partnership will strengthen the financial wellness and economic opportunities for low to moderate-income families in Tulare and Kings Counties. In 2021, CSET's VITA program processed more than 3,500 no-cost income tax returns, refunding nearly $6 million in refunds to residents who support our local economy. Page 2
UPCOMING EVENT - THE 29TH ANNUAL TULARE COUNTY JOB FAIR The Tulare County Employment Connection is proud to host the 29th Annual Tulare County Job Fair on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at the Visalia Convention Center from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The in person event is free to all attendees and Priority of Service will be observed allowing Veterans to enter the Job Fair at 9:00 AM; the general public will enter at 9:30 AM. The Job Fair connects job seekers and businesses throughout the Central Valley. Attendees gain access to job leads, on-the-spot interviews, résumé review, and an opportunity to discuss their qualifications and experience with local employers.
INVITATION TO APPLY TO THE KINGS/TULARE COUNTY HOMELESSNESS YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD Young people ages 18-24 with lived experience with homelessness in Tulare and Kings Counties are invited to complete an online interest form for the youth advisory board. Youth board members will connect with community members, participate in community service, and gain skills in civic engagement, professional and leadership development, and self-improvement. According to the Kings and Tulare Counties 2020 Point in Time Report, there are 166 young people under the age of 24 years old in Kings and Tulare Counties who are unsheltered. CSET’s Youth Development Department will facilitate the local youth-run YAB to advocate and bring awareness to homelessness in Tulare and Kings Counties.
Photo (left to right): Samantha Camaquin (YAB Vice President) and Angel Hernandez (YAB Board President).
To learn more about YAB, contact Alison Recendez at (559) 713-5193 or alison.recendez@cset.org.
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ZACHARIAH EXPLORES THE CAREER OF TEACHING AT GRANDMA'S HOUSE IN TULARE
Visalia CSET 312 NW 3rd Ave. Visalia, CA 93291 Tel. 559.732.4194
Zachariah is a passionate young professional who loves history and helping others in the community. He looks forward to entering the field of Education and becoming a 7th grade history teacher. To reach his career goals, Zachariah joined CSET's In School Youth (ISY) program in February and has taken every opportunity to learn new skills and grow professionally as an aspiring educator.
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
As local businesses began reopening during the pandemic, Zachariah expressed great interest in working at Grandma’s House, an after-school tutoring program in Tulare, CA. Despite being Zachariah’s first interview, Mrs. Johnson, who owns Grandma's House, shared he did extremely well and was delighted to offer him a work experience contract.
Earlimart CSET 176 N. Front St. Earlimart, CA 93219 Tel. 661.849.2960
During his time at Grandma's House, Zachariah assisted 1st through 6th grade students in the tutoring center. After signing students in, he provided them with technical and tutoring support to complete their classwork and homework using Chromebooks. Additionally, he developed and wrote an after-school lesson plan which he presented for implementation.
North County Youth Site 40802 Road 128, Cutler, CA 93615 Tel. 559.315.3223
“CSET helped me obtain a good work experience in what I want to do with my life which is teaching. They helped me do this by getting me a job as a tutor at Grandma’s House where I taught kids English and math. They really helped me develop more skills that will be useful in the teaching field. All I want to say is thank you to CSET!” expressed Zachariah. This year, Zachariah graduated from high school and plans to continue his education at College of the Sequoias where he will study liberal arts and history. He is thankful for the skills and work experience he gained while working at Grandma’s House. The opportunity to explore the education field has prompted his desire to become a history teacher for middle school and high school students.
Pixley CSET 927 Center St. Pixley, CA 93256 Tel. 559.575.0098 CSET Senior Services 1.800.321.2462 Cutler-Orosi, Earlimart, Exeter, Farmersville, Goshen, Lindsay, Porterville, & Woodlake
We wish you the very best in your educational and career pathway, Zachariah!
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. To subscribe or unsubscribe to the Community Voice newsletter, send an email to: csetmarketing@cset.org Discover more information about CSET’s programs and services at: www.cset.org Follow us on social media for the latest updates:
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BACK TO LIFE. BACK TO WORK.
09.29.21
Visalia Convention Center 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. — PLEASE BRING COPIES OF YOUR RESUME + WEAR PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE
— get c o n n e c t e d . www.tularecountyjobs.com | Employment Connection 559.713.5190
FARMERSVILLE COVID-19 UTILITY ASSISTANCE Are you a resident of the City of Farmersville who has been affected by COVID-19 and needs assistance paying your utility bills?
Water Sewer Trash Internet
CSET CAN HELP, CALL US TODAY! 1-844-224-1316
O C E THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP OPPORTUNITIES PROJECT
EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
NOW HIRING enrollment guidelines: Must be homeless or have been homeless within the last 12 months Be at least 18 years old possess right to work documents reside in visalia be registered with selective service be interested in clean up work within the city of visalia FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: YULIE CAMBEROS-559.713.5157 OR YCAMBEROS@EMPLOYMENTCONNECT.ORG Project funded by Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County, an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
SELF-S O T OAD R E H GT N I V PA
UFFICIENCY
JOIN THE PROGRAM
Next Step provides CalWORKs recipients with support services to help them build valuable work experiences and work readiness skills.
Program benfits
Referrals
Gain valuable work experience Virtual job readiness workshops Support services Assistance with daycare Networking opportunities with employers Mileage reimbursement Career coach & job developer team
Additional assistance is available through various CSET programs including: Access to housing programs Home weatherization services Utility Bill Assistance Rent & mortgage assistance
CALL US TODAY! Visalia
Tulare
Porterville
Lorraine Filomeno (559) 713-5125
Vanessa Dwyer (559) 631-4266
Stephanie Burriel (559) 788-1421