The Community Voice - December 2020

THE COMMUNITY VOICE A Quarterly Newsletter by Community Services Employment Training

December 2020

Dear Community Partners, On behalf of everyone at CSET, we would like to thank our partners, funders, and our incredible staff for all of your support during the pandemic.

No one could have predicted the events of this year, yet we responded to the increased need from the community. Our community needed assistance and CSET answered the call in collaboration with our partners, providing rental and mortgage assistance, employment services, family support services, energy assistance, and senior meals. All the while, we maintained the necessary safety measures needed to keep our customers, staff, and partners safe.

In 2021, we will continue to work in advancing positive solutions and implementing programs that can support economic security for all Tulare County individuals and families in need.

Our best wishes to you and your families for the holiday season, and for a safe and prosperous New Year!

Sincerely, Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner, CSET Executive Director

CSET RESPONDS TO COVID-19 An overview of CSET’s response efforts and impact during COVID-19.

Rental/mortgage applications received (March - October)

Individuals received employment COVID-19 supportive services ( June - September)

Families received a range of supportive services (March - October)

Families connected to COVID-19 resources at outreach mobile events (September - November)

Senior meals delivered (March - October)

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DECEMBER 2020

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TULARE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL FAMILIES RECEIVE COVID-19 ESSENTIAL RESOURCES THROUGH CSET’S HEALTHY HARVEST Through CSET’s Healthy Harvest program, 60 agricultural families impacted by COVID-19 received an array of essential resources to help sustain them during the pandemic. CSET’s Family Resource Center and Youth Development teams partnered to establish a group of high school students to serve as youth mentors and academic tutors for the children of enrolled families. Through this collaboration, 45 children benefited from weekly virtual tutoring sessions from 9 dedicated Youth Mentors.

Distance learning is affecting students of all ages and Youth Mentors are stepping up in a big way to ensure children in their communities are receiving the educational resources they need. “A majority of the children come from Spanish-speaking households and are struggling with math and reading,” shared Resource Navigator Mayra V. Gonzalez who coordinated the weekly tutoring sessions at the Pixley CSET Center. Here, Youth Mentors conducted a total of 75 tutoring sessions through Zoom or by phone. Parents requested two to three tutoring sessions per week for their children and each session averaged approximately 30 minutes to an hour. (Top left photo: A Youth Mentor conducting a tutoring session).

Youth Mentors also provided families with COVID-19 education such as safety precautions and preventive healthcare techniques to lesson the spread of the virus. (Bottom left photo: Youth Mentors created posters to inform families about ways to prevent COVID-19).

CORPSMEMBER OF THE YEAR - NAOMI CISNEROS Congratulations Naomi Cisneros for being honored as Corpsmember of the Year. As a Public Works corpsmember, Naomi has been recognized for her outstanding work ethic and determination to achieve self-reliance. Naomi engages in various community service projects and supports a variety of CSET’s departments such as senior services and housing. She also attends JMCS and is excited to be graduating this year. Your extraordinary commitment to the Sequoia Community Corps is admired and we are very excited about what the future holds for you. Congratulations Naomi on your many achievements.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR VITA 2021 TAX SEASON We are now recruiting local volunteers to assist with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). VITA provides tax preparation and electronic filing services at no-cost to Tulare County households with less than $54,000 annual income. Tax preparation drop-off services will be offered to the public beginning in February 2021. No prior experience is necessary to become a VITA volunteer and all training will be provided virtually. Retired financial professionals, as well as adults and high school youth exploring careers in the finance industry, would serve as excellent volunteers. Apply online at www.cset.org/vita.

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DECEMBER 2020

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#LEAD SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER TO YOUTH PARTICIPANTS CSET's #LEAD team held a holiday drive-thru event for youth participants on December 14th outside the Porterville Employment Connection.

Due to the constraints of COVID-19, #LEAD participants and facilitators were unable to meet in person since the beginning of the program year. All program activities such as interviews, workshops, and check-ins have been conducted virtually.

"Our aim for this event is to spread holiday cheer and have a few seconds of interaction with our #LEAD members," shared #LEAD Facilitator Kylie Gonzales.

Photos: (top) #LEAD staff distributing gift bags (bottom) #LEAD participant excited to receive her gift.

This event provided the opportunity for youth to attend and meet with their #LEAD facilitators in a setting other than a Zoom meeting. During the event, 27 youth received a gift bag with educational supplies and a $25 gift certificate to El Tapatio, celebrating their dedication and accomplishments during this challenging program year.

The team looks forward to hosting the events in Tulare, Visalia, and Dinuba in the upcoming days. Kudos to Kylie Gonzales and the #LEAD team for launching this wonderful opportunity and spreading joy this holiday season to local youth!

Thank you to all who generously contributed to CSET’s various services in 2020. With your help, CSET received a total of $1,181.60 from individual donors and $62,202.51 from foundations. It is donations like these that help us continue to serve residents of Tulare County, and quickly respond to the changing needs of our community. CSET is able to serve residents of all ages from throughout the community through your generosity. Thank you!

Interested in giving? Your gift today will make an impact in the lives of many in Tulare County.

Learn more about ways to give at www.cset.org/donate.

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DECEMBER 2020

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HOW A PARTICIPANT’S ON-THE-JOB TRAINING THROUGH NEXT STEP & VITA LED TO A CAREER PATH ASSISTING LOCAL FAMILIES IMPACTED BY COVID-19 Visalia CSET 312 NW 3rd Ave. Visalia, CA 93291 Tel. 559.732.4194

Elizabeth felt defeated after experiencing numerous barriers and losing almost everything.

She applied for cash aid in September 2019 to assist in overcoming her financial barriers and support her family. During her first week in the Next Step program, she attended a series of workshops to prepare her to be job-ready. When Elizabeth attended these workshops, she was able to update her résumé , learn new applications, and practice job search techniques. She also gained valuable interviewing skills that led to her selection for on-the-job training with CSET’s VITA program. Elizabeth was placed on a training contract with the VITA program in January 2020 where she learned tax law and earned valuable tax preparation certifications.

Even though her living situation and transportation were not ideal, she still made sure to arrive for her shift and perform at her best every day to assist the community. Despite having barriers, she always showed up on time in professional attire with a smile. Elizabeth also became the go-to person when questions arose as she was approachable and helpful. During her time with VITA, she had an opportunity to work closely with leadership in that department and other staff within CSET who observed her teamwork and ability to learn quickly. Elizabeth interviewed for a full-time position at CSET and gained a position assisting with the CARES program. Elizabeth is now helping local families who have been impacted by COVID-19 access essential resources. The skills and experience she gained in Next Step and VITA will complement her career path well into the future.

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 North County Youth Site 40802 Road 128, Cutler, CA 93615 Tel. 559.315.3223 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

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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