THE COMMUNITY VOICE A Quarterly Newsletter by Community Services Employment Training
March 2021
Dear Community Partners, CSET continues to participate in countywide taskforces with community partners to address the support needs of individuals and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our services include rental and energy assistance, employment services, and family relief efforts. We have adapted and streamlined our application process so individuals can apply online or visit our office with an appointment. We have also brought on more staff to assure we can meet the growing needs in our community. This month’s newsletter highlights our VITA program, Employment Services, Family relief efforts, and one of our Conservation Corps’ Urban Greening projects. All of these programs are possible because of committed volunteers, dedicated staff, project partners, and funders who recognize that anything is possible when working together. On behalf of CSET’s board, thank you to our volunteers, partners, funders, and our incredible staff for all of your hard work and dedication during the pandemic. Sincerely, Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner, CSET Executive Director
FREE DROP OFF TAX PREPARATION SERVICES IN TULARE COUNTY Tulare County residents with less than $54,000 in annual household income may file their 2020 federal and state tax returns at no cost with CSET’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. A certified tax preparer will inform filers of eligible tax credits that help reduce their tax bill or increase their tax refund, like the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) and the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC). For the first time, Californians who file their tax returns with an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) - including undocumented families - are eligible for the CalEITC and the YCTC. An appointment is not required. Customers may download the intake form and checklist of required documents online at www.cset.org/vita or stop by one of our five VITA sites to pick up a tax packet.
Photo: Valeria Alvarado (left) distributing VITA tax packets to CSET customers at the Visalia Main Office.
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YOUTH @ WORK HOSTS REGIONAL DRIVE-THRU EVENTS On January 13th, CSET's Youth@Work team held a drive-thru recruitment event at the Tulare Family Resource Center & Employment Connection Affiliate. The event attracted 21 attendees and received several walk-ups who saw event signage along Tulare Avenue. All attendees received information about employment services, training, work readiness coaching, education opportunities, and more. Along with potential participants, several parents came on behalf of their youth to learn about Youth@Work. Masks and social distancing were utilized to protect the health and safety of everyone at the event. Kudos to the CSET Youth@Work team for facilitating a great drive-thru event for local youth and young adults. Watch for upcoming drive-thru events in the near future through CSET’s social media.
Photo: Bonney Parks (right) providing resources to youth attendees at the Tulare Family Resource Center & Employment Connection Affiliate.
TULARE COUNTY FAMILIES RECEIVE COVID-19 RELIEF RESOURCES 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. Families received a desk and chair to support their children during distance learning and virtual tutoring sessions. Through the program, families were also informed about safety precautions and preventive healthcare techniques to lessen the spread of COVID-19. CSET is grateful for the opportunity to have partnered with the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA), Proteus, Family Resource Centers, and additional agencies to provide COVID-19 relief through the Healthy Harvest program. Photo: Healthy Harvest parent receiving home study essentials to create a dedicated distance learning space for their children.
LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE DURING COVID-19 CSET’s Energy Services remain available to Tulare County residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides financial assistance to help offset the cost of energy for eligible households in Tulare County. Eligible households may receive one payment per year for the electric, gas, or propane program. Information on program requirements is available by contacting the CSET Energy Services hotline at 1-844-224-1316. We have modified our application process for the health and safety of staff and the community.
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SCC URBAN FORESTRY CREW INSTALLS IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN VISALIA CSET's Urban Forestry program engages corpsmembers from the Sequoia Community Corps (SCC) in environmental stewardship and conservation projects. Through these projects, corpsmembers learn essential career skills while developing a passion for the communities they serve. CSET works in close partnership with The Urban Tree Foundation and the cities of Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, and Dinuba. Throughout the pandemic, training in the field has incorporated all COVID-19 health and safety measures. At the St. John's Riparian Corridor Restoration Project in Visalia, just north of the Sports Park on Highway 63, crews are making a number of improvements just south of the river. The project runs parallel to the river, where crews are installing irrigation, planting 200 trees, and spreading 120 yards of mulch over 10 acres. Through this project, corpsmembers learn how to operate heavy equipment, trench, and build a commercial irrigation system while learning about the benefits of our city's open spaces. "Corpsmembers take a lot of pride in their work - they are learning essential skills and work experiences to be successful, such as communicating effectively, having a good attitude, and showing up to work on time," shared Urban Forestry Crew Supervisor Mike Santos. Those interested in joining the corps can apply online at www.cset.org/sequoia-community-corps or call (559) 741-4695. Multiple positions and virtual orientations are now available!
Photos: Urban Forestry crew building irrigation system near Riverway Sports Park in Visalia.
WALMART PROVIDES $2,500 IN GRANTS TO CSET’S VITA PROGRAM Thank you to Walmart for your $2,500 contribution to CSET’s VITA program. Through our partnership, low-income households in Tulare County will receive an array of financial stability resources to help them build financial wellness, file taxes at no cost, gain federal/state tax credits, access bank accounts, and receive additional support services. We are grateful to receive this investment from the Selma location and the Demaree, Noble, and Mooney locations in Visalia. Thank you! Learn more about ways to give and make an impact in the lives of many in Tulare County at www.cset.org/donate.
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HOW A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IS DEVELOPING HIS CAREER GOALS & WORK EXPERIENCE AT CSET
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
The Leading, Educating, Advocating, Dedication (#LEAD) program provides career exploration opportunities and work experience to local Tulare County youth. Myles Smith joined the #LEAD program, being interviewed and accepted into the Visalia 2019-2020 cohort. Myles wanted to join the program to enhance his leadership skills as he hopes to one day be a CFO. He greatly enjoyed the #LEAD sessions, a Visalia City Council representative's visit being one of his most memorable guest speakers. After graduating from the Visalia #LEAD cohort, Myles is currently completing his senior year at Golden West High School. He is excited to earn his high school diploma this year while participating in a work experience program at CSET.
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
At CSET, Myles supports our Communication & Information Systems and Finance departments through a variety of tasks. He is enjoying his work experience opportunity and is delighted about the process of learning new office skills, updating his résumé, and developing into a professional. Helping Myles reach his career goals to enter the Finance industry, CSET’s finance team has served as ideal mentors for Myles. His site managers are impressed with Myles’ work ethic and have referred him to work with additional programs at CSET. More than 500 youth and young adults in Tulare County benefit yearly from CSET’s Youth Leadership programs, providing them with valuable leadership development, job readiness training, civic engagement experiences, college and career exploration pathways, as well as mentorship and networking opportunities with local businesses. More information about CSET’s Youth Leadership programs is available at www.cset.org/youth-development.
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. 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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