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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