CSET Newsletter - February 2017

COMMUNITY VOICE

VOLUME 22

Volume 1

FROM MARY ALICE ESCARSEGA-FECHNER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As an organization, we remain steadfastly committed to our mission of inspiring youth, families, and communities to achieve self-reliance. CSET is excited and prepared to explore new opportunities to serve Tulare County residents in 2017.

This year, we look forward to reaching the goals set out in our newly-implemented Strategic Plan adopted by the CSET Board of Directors and staff. The Plan is available to read on the CSET website at www.cset.org. Please scroll over the “About” tab and click on “Our Team” to read the publication. We look forward to sharing our progress throughout the year.

We recognize the importance of providing a voice for those families living in poverty and remain optimistic. In his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance statement, President Jimmy Carter shared “…my concept of human rights has grown to include not only the rights to live in peace, but also to adequate health care, shelter, food, and to economic opportunity.” In collaboration with our partners, CSET will continue to seek out and implement positive pathways out of poverty for the individuals and families we have the privilege to serve.

— Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner

Inside this issue John Muir Graduates

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Inside This Issue VITA Program Begins

HELPING INMATES MAKE THE LEAP Thanks to an innovative and competitive $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Connection staff will soon be providing job readiness workshops to incarcerated individuals in the county jail. The program is known as LEAP, Linking to Employment Activities Pre-Release, and will provide inmates within 90 days of their release dates with two-week workshops designed to introduce them to the local 2 workforce and resources offered at the Employment Connections.

Energy Services Numbers

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Holiday Season Recap Youth Transitions Success Corps “Battles” Review DWR Public Meeting

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Workshops will begin in March at the Bob Wiley Detention Facility located north of Visalia. According to U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez, "These grants will help people – who have paid their debt to society – transition from prison to prosperity by contributing fully to our nation's economy and way of life."

The Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County has partnered with the Tulare County Sheriff's Department, Tulare County Probation Department and CSET to provide services to the inmate population.

The program aims at reducing recidivism and promoting the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society.

February 2017

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ANNUAL TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BEGINS Tax season has arrived and for the twelfth consecutive year, CSET is offering free tax preparation services to residents of Tulare County. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program began Saturday, February 4th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the communities of Visalia, Tulare, Cutler and Porterville. Tax preparation services will be available every Saturday through April 15th.

“We are thrilled to continue offering this valuable service to local residents,” said CSET Executive Director Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner. “Each year, CSET witnesses the significant impact this program has on the lives of community members.

VITA puts money back into the pockets of the hardworking people in our area.”

The VITA program prepares federal and state tax returns at no-cost to households with less than $54,000 annual income.

Tax returns are filed electronically, which allows residents to receive their tax refunds in as little as 5-10 business days with direct deposit. Tax returns are prepared by IRS certified volunteer tax preparers on a first come, first served basis.

Local volunteers are essential to the VITA program. Nearly 150 dedicated volunteers complete an IRS-sponsored four-week training course to become certified tax preparers. Last year, VITA volunteers filed more than 2,000 tax returns, bringing more than $3.2 million back to Tulare County residents. Common tax credits included the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credits, Child & Dependent Care Credit, Retirement Savings Contribution Credit, and Education Credit.

Individuals who are unable to visit a VITA site to file their return or those who prefer to file from the comfort of their own home may do so by visiting MyFreeTaxes.com. More information regarding the VITA program including contact information, documentation requirements and helpful links is available online by visiting www.cset.org/vita or by calling (559) 741-4640. For information on tax preparation services offered in Kings County, please contact Kings United Way at (559) 584-1536 or Kings Community Action Organization at (559) 582-4386.

ENERGY SERVICES LEAVES A MARK The rain finally made its landing in Tulare County and drought-affected residents are sighing with relief. CSET’s Energy Services Department, along with local partner agencies, has been providing relief services to families and individuals suffering from dry wells due to the lack of water. Take a look at our annual numbers below and it’s easy to see the impact our Drought Assistance program has had on the lives of thousands of local residents.

6,327

29,332

13,068

1,386

Individuals who received energy assistance

Cases of bottled water distributed

Drought Resource Center visits

Energy Services workshops held

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HOLIDAY SEASON RECAP: JOY DELIVERED TO YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART Thanks to the generous spirit of CSET staff, the 2016 holiday season was extra special for nearly 60 children who attended the annual Corpsmember Christmas Party on December 15, 2016.

Corpsmember families enjoyed a spaghetti dinner, cookie and ornament decorating, a candy bar, and gift giveaway from Santa Claus himself! Shout out to our awesome staff for hosting such a sweet event for the youngest members of the corps family.

"Every Christmas my heart is filled with joy from seeing the generosity of our colleagues," said SCC Senior Program Coordinator Raquel Roa. "Our corpsmembers and their children always have a fantastic time at the event."

The annual Stockings for Seniors Citizens drive was successful in providing over 400 seniors in the Kings/Tulare County area with gifts and holiday cheer.

The drive is made possible by a partnership between the Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging (KT/ AAA), Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency, CSET, Visalia Senior Housing, Inc. and community members.

Stockings were stuffed with winter items such as scarves, lap blankets and slippers then delivered to housebound seniors who deal with social isolation and loneliness.

The gifts provided warmth and joy to our area's eldest residents and were appreciated by the seniors we serve.

TRANSITIONAL YOUTH BLOSSOM Investing in Tulare County youth has always been a major focus for CSET. One way we invest is through the Youth Transitions program, which serves young people between the ages of 16-21. With our partners at the County of Tulare, we've worked to open Extra Help positions within the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), specifically designed for youth participating in the Youth Transitions program.

Youth receive mentoring, career counseling and work ethics training. Activities include classroom instruction, site visits and presentations from employers. The program places an emphasis on serving foster youth, some of whom go on to interview and attain permanent county positions or positions with local businesses after completing the program. Once hired by the county, youth are mentored by HHSA staff members who volunteer to spend quality time with the youth during paid work hours as well as on their own time outside of work hours.

This month alone, six participants were chosen to interview for full-time positions with the county! Visit the CSET YouTube channel to watch two Youth Transitions participants, Noel Rodriguez and Rafael Zavala Torres, discuss their experiences in the program. Type “Community Services Employment Training (CSET)� in your YouTube search bar. It's hard not to be excited for the bright future that lies ahead for these two young men.

Noel Rodriguez & Rafael Zavala Torres at the CWA Youth Conference

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CORPS KICKS OFF CCC REVIEW WITH BATTLE Visalia CSET 312 NW 3rd Ave. Visalia, CA 93291 Tel. 559.732.4194

The Sequoia Community Corps (SCC), a division of CSET, is proud to be a Certified Local Conservation Corps. We are thrilled to do our part to protect the environment while promoting hands-on job skills training and providing educational opportunities to our local youth.

In order to become a certified corps, the SCC must meet specific criteria and standards. Every year, the California Conservation Corps (CCC) performs reviews of each corps in the state in order to ensure compliance and to see first-hand the good work each corps is doing in the community.

Visalia Employment Connection 4025 W. Noble Ave. # B Visalia, CA 93277-1631 Tel. 559.713.5000

Year after year, SCC staff present a PowerPoint covering corps programs which is then followed by a tour of our facilities.

This year, however, it was time to change it up! With the help of our very own corpsmembers, SCC staff was happy to present the first-ever CCC Review Lip Sync Battle!

Corpsmembers and staff wrote lyrics, recorded audio and created dance skits representing each SCC department.

Tulare Family Resource Center 304 E. Tulare Ave. Tulare, CA 93274 Tel. 559.684.1987

CSET is thrilled to present a video compilation featuring the live performances that took place in November 2016. The SCC is a division of CSET and we are proud of the fun, creative work our corps is doing!

Porterville Employment Connection 1063 W. Henderson Porterville, CA 93257 Tel. 559.788.1400

Type “Community Services Employment Training (CSET)” in your YouTube search bar.

DWR HOLDS PUBLIC MEETING The California Department of Water Resources, a CSET partner, held a public meeting to discuss the East Porterville Water Supply Project. The meeting was held on Wednesday, February 22nd at Granite Hills High School in Porterville. CSET staff were present and assisted with the meeting facilitation.

Topics included: • Updates on Phase 1 Water Connections • Phase 2 Plans for Water Connections • 3-Step Process for Water Connection • Groundwater and Wells • Next Steps and Timeline Spanish language interpretation services were made available to residents. More information can be found online by visiting www.water.ca.gov.

Earlimart CSET 114 N. Front St. Earlimart, CA 93219 Tel. 661.849.2960 Orosi CSET 12691 Ave. 408 Orosi, CA 93615 Tel. 559.528.6108 Pixley CSET 927 Center St. Pixley, CA 93256 Tel. 559.575.0098 CSET Senior Services 1.800.321.2462 Cutler-Orosi, Earlimart, Exeter, Goshen, Lindsay, Porterville, & Woodlake

Community Voice is published quarterly by Community Services Employment Training. Unless otherwise noted, articles are written by CSET staff. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send an email to csetmarketing@cset.org.

February 2017

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