COMMUNITY VOICE
COMMUNITY VOICES
VOLUME Volume151
FROM MARY ALICE ESCARSEGA-FECHNER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
For more than 50 years, Community Action Agencies across the United States have strived to put a face on poverty related issues in our communities. CSET continues our commitment to work closely with partners to come up with short term and long term solutions, and leverage resources to assist families and strengthen local communities. We have updated our mission and vision statements to reaffirm our commitment to community action. Our mission is to inspire youth, families, and communities to achieve self-reliance through innovative pathways and collaboration. We share a vision for communities and residents to gain the knowledge, skills and resources needed to achieve the American Dream. To achieve this vision, we commit ourselves to these core values: • We strive to assist residents regionally in improving their lives. • We create opportunities for children, youth, parents, and families to be competitive in an Inside this issue increasingly challenging economy. • We continue to strengthen our organization by developing internal leadership, 1 John Muir Graduates embracing diversity, and maintaining integrity in every venture. • We seek partnerships with other agencies to provide the best possible services to Inside This Issue our community. Bank of the Sierra 2 Donation We encourage the community to join us in celebrating Community Action 2 Month by volunteering or supporting services and programs that strengthen #LEAD Field Trip youth, families and communities. 3 John Muir Receives Award — Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner 3 Board Member Spotlight Drought Assistance New Employment Program
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VITA RETURNS $2.6M TO COMMUNITY CSET’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program concluded services in late April, after partnering with Kings United Way and Kings Community Action Organization to offer services to Kings and Tulare County residents. More than 2,280 returns were completed, totaling $2.6 million in refunds to the community. Services are held February through mid April in several sites in Tulare County, including Visalia and rural communities. This year, over 140 community members volunteered to complete tax returns. For information on services or to volunteer, please contact Albert Cendejas at (559) 732-4194.
May 2015
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BANK OF THE SIERRA DONATES TO HOME GARDEN The Kings County branch of Bank of the Sierra donated $3,000 toward the construction of the Home Garden Park project in Kings County. The funds will be used to assist with the installation of arbors, and the finishing touches on the community project. The Home Garden Community Services District (CSD) contracted with CSET to complete the park. Kings County District 2 Supervisor Richard Valle joined CSET and the Home Garden CSD in thanking Bank of the Sierra’s Market President, Mark Ulibarri, for the branch’s consideration and contribution. The Home Garden project is planned to be completed later this year. Mark Ulibarri presents CSET with a donation.
#LEAD STUDENTS ENJOY UCLA FIELD TRIP In the height of the college acceptance season, the #LEAD youth program went on a College Connection field trip to the University of California, Los Angeles, where #LEAD alumnus Deanna Orozco led the tour. Deanna took part in the Porterville WIA youth program in 2011 as a high school senior and her family has received services through HEAP and the Drought Assistance Program. Deanna originates from a farmworker family who are limited English speaking and a family receiving public assistance. Being the first in her family to go to college, and unsure of what to expect of her UCLA experience, Deanna maintained close contact with her case managers/mentors, Maria Espinoza and Marie Gonzalez, to continue receiving support and encouragement. Deanna’s plans include getting her medical degree and returning to the valley to help low income families with their health needs. “It was such a wonderful and motivating experience giving these students from the Central Valley a tour of our beautiful campus. I appreciate all of the support from my mentors and wish to provide that same guidance by giving back to my community.” Deanna and the #LEAD students.
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JOHN MUIR RECEIVES “HART VISION” AWARD John Muir Charter School, a WASC accredited charter school with over 57 California program sites, was awarded the 2015 HART Vision Award at the California Charter School Association Conference earlier this year. CSET’s John Muir Charter School program is one of the 57 California sites that provide educational and vocational support to youth, ages 18-24. The Hart Vision Award recognizes JMCS as a leader in the Charter School movement at a state and national level. Recipients are nominated by the California Charter School Association and selected by a commitee.
John Muir Charter School students .
To celebrate their accomplishment, John Muir participated in a documentary to highlight their programs. The video can be viewed on the home page of the John Muir Charter School website, www.JohnMuirCS.com. "We are greatly honored at this recognition of JMCS,” John Muir Charter School CEO, R.J. Guess said. “This award honors our students, staff and partners for the service they provide to their communities and the state of California.” Congratulations to the John Muir team.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Marcia Becerra Marcia is a retired state employee who worked 36 years with the Employment Development Department. She oversaw job services in Tulare, Kern and Mono/Inyo counties. She also served on various Workforce Investment Boards. Marcia enjoys spending time with her 2 month-old granddaughter, Luciana. She and her husband like to travel—Hawaii and San Francisco are among their favorite locations. As a CSET Board member, Marcia looks forward to being a part of CSET’s impact on the community. She hopes to “provide continued support and guidance, while following CSET’s mission and vision.” She will represent the public sector.
Malorie Barragan Malorie Barragan serves as the Community Health Manager for Family HealthCare Network and has over 8 years of experience with community health centers. Malorie oversees the organization's Community Health Department that includes Community Health Coordinators, Community Health Representatives, Community HealthCorps/ AmeriCorps and volunteer units. Malorie enjoys spending time with her family and working out. Her goal as a new Board member is, “to learn more about nonprofit governance, develop and grow as a leader, and cultivate new skills,” while serving her community. She will represent the low-income sector.
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DROUGHT SERVICES CONTINUE CSET’s Drought Water Assistance Program will begin accepting applications on June 1, 2015. New funding allows for an extention in the program, permitting CSET to assist eligible community members with their water utlity bills. Last year the program partnered with water districts to host workshops in rural communities. The workshops assisted community members in verifying eligibility and completing their application. Eligibility is based on income and need. Updated program and contact information, including application and requirement details, will be posted to our website when is becomes available. Please call (844) 224-1316 for more information.
NEW EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM CSET, in partnership with the Tulare County Employment Connection, is offering a new employment program for individuals receiving cash aid.
A Proud Partner of “America’s Job Center of California” Network
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The Expanded Subsidized Employment (ESE) program is designed to assist eligible participants with finding expedited employment. Eligible candidates must be referred by their HHSA or other case worker.
The fast-paced program begins with one full week of job readiness training, focused on establishing a firm understanding of the foundational job tasks. Individuals are then placed in an employment opportunity within 1-2 weeks of the referral. For additional information on requirements and how to apply, please contact the main CSET office at (559) 732-4194, the Porterville Employment Connection at (559) 788-1400, the Tulare Employment Connection at (559) 684-1987, or the Visalia Employment Connection at (559) 713-5000.
Visalia CSET
312 NW 3rd Ave. Visalia, CA 93291 Tel. 559.732.4194 Porterville Employment Connection
1063 W. Henderson Porterville, CA 93257 Tel. 559.788.1400 Tulare Family Resource Center
304 E. Tulare Ave. Tulare, CA 93274 Tel. 559.684.1987 Visalia Employment Connection
4025 W. Noble Ave. # B Visalia, CA 93277-1631 Tel. 559.713.5000 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
433 S. Main St. Pixley, CA 93256 Tel. 559.757.1601 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 jeff.forbes@cset.org.
May 2015
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