Community Voice - March 2023

THE COMMUNITY VOICE A Quarterly Newsletter by Community Services Employment Training

March 2023

Dear Community Partners, As we begin another year of connecting local individuals and families to services that help them achieve self-sufficiency, we look forward to the return of activities and inspiration that reconnect us to the community.

Several of our Senior Centers have reopened and others will soon follow.

The centers provide important in-person meals, activities and socialization for our local seniors. We are also excited for the return of the popular Senior Day in the Park event!

In this edition you will learn about new programs for youth, adults and families. These important resources provide valuable work experience, help beautify the community, and provide employment to local residents.

Thank you to our staff, partners, and board members for your dedication and commitment to CSET’s mission and the residents we serve. Please enjoy the stories and highlights in our newsletter.

Sincerely, Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner, CSET Executive Director

SENIOR DAY IN THE PARK RETURNS CSET’s Senior Services department is excited to announce the return of Senior Day in the Park on Friday, May 5th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia.

There will be exhibitors and community partners sharing resources, a cake walk, lunch for seniors, dancing and entertainment. We are also excited to announce the return of the King himself, Elvis Presley, at this year’s event!

Senior Day in the Park is free to attend for local seniors.

Community organizations can sign up for an informational booth, and donations for the cakewalk are appreciated. Stay tuned to www.cset.org/seniorday and CSET’s social media channels for updates and opportunities to get involved.

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VITA BEGINS! We are excited to begin the 17th season of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA prepares federal and state tax returns at no-cost for families with a household annual income less than $60,000. Eligible working families and individuals may also qualify for Federal and California Earned Income Tax Credits (CalEITC) that may reduce the amount of tax owed.

Photo Caption: A VITA volunteer helps prepare tax returns for a local resident.

Tax documents can be dropped off at one of our VITA locations. Taxes will be prepared on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers will be informed about the filing process and contacted over the phone to review, schedule a pickup, and receive authorization to e-file. In-person tax preparation will vary, depending on volunteer availability. Customers can download the required documents checklist, intake forms and obtain more information by visiting at www.cset.org/vita or calling (559) 741-4640.

WATER BILL ASSISTANCE The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), funded by the State of California’s Community Services and Development Department, provides financial assistance to help eligible families pay their water or wastewater bill. The program can provide a one-time benefit of up to $2,000 for low-income families who live in participating cities.

You must be a Tulare County resident, show your identification and overdue bill, and live in one of the locations below. We continue to add cities that are participating in this valuable program.

Del Oro Water Company Exeter Pixley Terra Bella

Dinuba Farmersville Porterville Tulare

Ducor Lindsay Strathmore Visalia

For more information, please visit www.cset.org or call our Energy Assistance hotline at 1-844-224-1316.

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WALMART DONATION SUPPORTS NEW YOUTH PROGRAM Walmart recently donated $1,000 to CSET to support its #LEAD and #GROW programs for young people in Tulare County. The Walmart Giving grants were presented from the Demaree and E. Noble stores in Visalia.

The generous contribution will help young people in Tulare County gain access to educational pathways, work experience and leadership development activities.

While #LEAD has been operating for Photo Caption: The North County #LEAD cohort. more than a decade, CSET’s Youth Department recently launched #GROW, a pilot program for high school freshmen and sophomores. #GROW focuses on civic engagement, volunteerism and community service. The program recently held its kick off event at Farmersville High School, where students were joined by Dr. Randy Villegas, a Political Science professor at College of the Sequoias, who discussed the importance of youth involvement in local government. #GROW prepares future leaders by giving them the opportunity to engage with local professionals and be civically engaged in their communities. For more information, contact #GROW Program Coordinator Kylie Gonzales at kylie.gonzales@cset.org. For information about CSET’s Youth programs, please visit www.cset.org/youth-development.

CLEAN CALIFORNIA LAUNCHES IN PORTERVILLE

Photo Caption: CSET staff join the Clean California crew.

In early February the City of Porterville began its Litter Abatement Pilot Project in collaboration with the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG), California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) and CSET. The project provides paid training for individuals experiencing homelessness to conduct beautification activities along State Route 65 and State Route 190.

The beautification project includes one CSET crew, through the Sequoia Community Corps, completing two cleaning cycles per month along the designated routes. Referrals are received from partner agencies, who provide participants with case management support and assistance finding permanent housing. The income earning opportunity develops valuable skills and assistance in finding employment following the training period.

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CSET STAFF IS TULARE CHAMBER’S AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR Congratulations to Patty Rhodes on her Ambassador of the Year Award from the Tulare Chamber of Commerce. Patty has contributed to the Chamber through networking events, ribbon cuttings, and providing member services while representing CSET and the NextStep program.

During the Ambassador Appreciation Dinner Patty was recognized for her contributions to the Chamber and was awarded Ambassador of the Year! Congratulations Patty!

Patty was also honored with certificates from Congressman David Valadao, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, City of Tulare, County of Tulare, State Senator Melissa Hurtado, State Senator Shannon Grove and Assemblymember Devon Mathis.

Thank you Patty for making the City and County of Tulare a more desirable community in which to live, learn, play, work, and prosper.

Photo Caption: Patty Rhodes with her Ambassador of the Year award.

Patty said, "It's an honor to be selected as Ambassador of the Year! It's been a pleasure and so much fun representing the Tulare Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador in assisting and helping the community with resources available."

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

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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