THE COMMUNITY VOICE A Quarterly Newsletter by Community Services Employment Training
December 2023
Dear CSET Community, As we reflect on the extraordinary achievements of 2023, it has been a year filled with new initiatives, collaboration, and generosity. Exciting changes are on the horizon for CSET in 2024, including the expansion of our scope of work with the Visalia Navigation Center and the launch of a new branding strategy, commemorating 60 years of community impact in the fight against poverty. Our deepest gratitude goes to our incredible partners, dedicated volunteers, committed board members, and hardworking staff. Your unwavering support has been the driving force behind our mission, and without you, the positive change we strive for in our community would not be possible. Please join me in celebrating our remarkable service to our community, as featured in the following stories. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season filled with prosperity, joy, and meaningful connections. Sincerely, Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner, CSET Executive Director
#LEAD Explores UC Davis Campus The opportunity to participate in a college campus tour is a life-changing experience for many first-generation students, particularly those from the Central Valley, where college enrollment rates remain low. Our #LEAD program breaks down barriers by creating equitable initiatives for young people in Tulare County to access college and post-secondary planning. This fall, 45 high school students from #LEAD took a campus walking tour at the University of California, Davis (Go Aggies!). It was a fun and informative college trip that gave students a glimpse of student life and an overview of the undergraduate experience. Following the campus tour, students visited downtown Davis, where they explored local shops. A special acknowledgment goes out to our #LEAD staff for organizing the college trip and diligently ensuring the active participation of our young individuals in college readiness opportunities. Page 1
Spreading Holiday Cheer to Seniors During this festive season, gratitude celebrations were held at various local senior centers through a series of engaging events. These events successfully fostered intergenerational connections and highlighted the importance of mental health, empathy, and inclusivity within the community, all of which are central to the spirit of the holiday season. Seniors were treated to a heartwarming meal and pumpkin treats, accompanied by music and the excitement of raffle gifts. A total of 350 seniors received holiday stockings filled with essentials, thanks to the generosity of our donors. CSET's #LEAD youth leaders volunteered their time to organize enjoyable and festive activities for seniors, fostering a sense of connection and shared joy. Thank you to our partners and supporters who made all this possible, particularly the Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging, Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency Adult Services, and Meals on Wheels. Special recognition also goes out to CSET's Senior Services team for their fantastic planning, resulting in a festive event that brought joy to our senior neighbors!
KC Vista Ground Breaking
On December 7th, we participated in an exciting groundbreaking of the KC Vista Park revitalization project in Dinuba. Thanks to the collaboration with our Sequoia Community Corps and support from the Local Conservation Corps Nature-Based Solutions Grant Program, we're set to transform this space with new trees, pathways, lights, and even a butterfly garden. Thank you to our partners at the City of Dinuba for spearheading this ceremony, which also officially marked the opening of the basketball courts. Learn more about the project featured in the Sun-Gazette. Page 2
Visalia Navigation Center Updates Introducing Carolyn Haynes-Thomas, CSET Director for Visalia Navigation Center (VNC) Carolyn has over 25 years of experience in Social Services and Financial Services, working with diverse populations. Before CSET, Carolyn served as the Director of Permanent Supportive Housing in Sacramento County, where she successfully developed and managed numerous contracts countywide. In this role, she managed the shelter and wraparound services for the unhoused population, overseeing operations throughout 75 regional site houses. Carolyn collaborated closely with Community Groups, Neighborhood Associations, HUD Approved Affiliates, and Faith-Based groups to conduct outreach to unhoused communities. She worked closely with local municipalities, addressing the unique challenges faced by the unhoused population. Furthermore, Carolyn successfully established and led a comprehensive Housing department for one of the largest local affiliates of HUD Intermediaries in Sacramento County, offering viable sustainable housing-based solutions for people experiencing homelessness. We are thrilled to welcome Carolyn to our leadership team, where she will hold a pivotal role in our strategic initiatives in addressing homelessness through the Visalia Navigation Center. Visalia Navigation Center, Coming Soon (Summer 2024) The construction team for the Visalia Navigation Center is making substantial progress, as the much anticipated grand opening is set for Summer 2024. The VNC will offer wraparound support services for individuals experiencing homelessness while guiding them toward securing permanent housing. Residents will have access to essential amenities such as a bed, showers, laundry facilities, meals, and pet accommodations. On-site services will include employment training, public benefits, health services, substance abuse and mental health services, and connections to permanent housing opportunities. Additionally, the center will provide convenient parking and storage options. Watch this video to view the latest construction highlights of the VNC.
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Partner Spotlight: City of Porterville
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
It was an honor to attend Porterville's 2023 State of the City event hosted by the Porterville Chamber of Commerce at the Eagle Mountain Casino. The event provided information regarding the developments by the City and its departments throughout the past year and updates on City projects. As proud partners with the City of Porterville, CSET was recognized for our collaborative efforts in addressing homelessness, housing instability, unemployment, and city beautification through Clean California.
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
We look forward to the opportunities and accomplishments that will benefit our community through our ongoing partnership in 2024. Thank you, City of Porterville for your continuous partnership.
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
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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LIHWAP PROGRAM
2023 Impact Report Overview and By the Numbers The Energy Services team conducted ten (10)
Community Outreach Events in 2023, connecting with more than 360 Tulare County residents for utility bill assistance, including the Low-Income
Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). Funded by the State of California’s Community
Services and Development department, LIHWAP
aims to reduce the financial burden of water bill
expenses for eligible households in Tulare County. To learn more about LIHWAP in Tulare County,
call 1-844-224-1316 or visit www.cset.org/lihwap.
Water and wastewater services are essential for the public's health and wellbeing. LIHWAP supplies a lifeline to our community who are in need of financial support to keep their water flowing. - Robert Almares, Sr. Program Coordinator
Water bill assistance is available for eligible Tulare County residents through March 2024.
Call Today
1-844-224-1316
312 NW 3rd Ave Visalia, CA 93291
1,139
Applications processed
931
Households received assistance
685
Received a disconnection notice
$547
Average amount owed
$509,242
Combined total of LIHWAP assistance
Demographics
685 Seasonal farmworker households 659 Households receiving CalFresh 614 Households with children 365 Households with a disability
315 Households with a senior adult
www.cset.org
info@cset.org
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY 2023 Impact Report
Bridging Generations: Uniting for Change
On October 28th, CSET's incredible volunteers came together in communities across Tulare County, from Cutler-Orosi to Strathmore, Porterville to Pixley, and Earlimart. Volunteers dedicated their Saturday morning to enhancing our local parks, improving our local senior and youth centers, providing wellness kits to families, and assisting seniors in accessing essential utility support. Thank you to all our amazing and generous donors, including staff, board of directors, Home Depot, Smart & Final, Walmart, and FoodLink. Special recognition goes out to our staff planning committee, board of directors, family, and friends for their support!
Cutler Strathmore
Porterville
Pixley
Thank you!
Earlimart
5
165
50
Community Projects
Volunteers
720
Volunteer Hours
Wellness Kits Distributed
$625
Monetary Donations
10
Gallons of Paint Used
50
Bags of Weeds/Debris Collected
Thank you to the following local businesses for your in-kind donations of supplies, waters, and snacks!
Celebrating Community Impact on
$3,500 Raised
CSET extends its deepest gratitude to all who contributed to the success of Giving Tuesday 2023. With your help and the support of 53 amazing donors, we raised an incredible $3,500 on Giving Tuesday -- exceeding our goal by 233%. Our collective efforts have created a ripple effect of positivity, touching the hearts and minds of our community.
53 Generous donors $66 Average gift
Every share, every act of support, and every ounce of dedication will make a real and tangible difference in the lives of those we serve in Tulare County.
Thank you!
98% Online donation fees covered by donors
www.cset.org/givingtuesday