THE COMMUNITY VOICE A Quarterly Newsletter by Community Services Employment Training
October 2026
Dear CSET Community, On September 17, 2026, CSET celebrated its 50th Anniversary with staff, board members, partners, and friends. We were humbled to reflect on CSET’s history and early beginnings while hearing from speakers who shared how our programs and services have shaped their lives. Our new Deputy Director, Daisy Lopez, shared her journey from participating in CSET programs as a youth to returning to CSET as a leader. Board Member Ray Guerrero also reflected on his journey, from being a staff member in the Community Initiatives Department to now serving on CSET’s Board of Directors. Looking back at CSET’s journey and growth over the past 50 years reminds us that our work is never done. There are always opportunities to support our friends and neighbors as they work toward self-sufficiency and building brighter futures. This fall, there will be many opportunities for members of the public to partner with us to support community needs. We will begin recruiting volunteers for our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and will offer opportunities to participate in community service projects through Make A Difference Day. We are also hosting an open house for the Sequoia Community Corps this month, and we hope to see many of you there. Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and dedication to our mission. Together, we can create lasting impact, strengthen our communities, and continue helping people and changing lives. Sincerely, Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner, CSET Executive Director
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NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR VISALIA YOUTH CSET is excited to partner with the City of Visalia to implement the California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) project focused on helping reduce violence, strengthen families, and build a safer and more connected community. We will work closely with the City of Visalia, community partners, and local service providers to support youth and young adults who may be at increased risk of becoming involved in violence. The project will serve two primary age groups, youth ages 3–14 and young adults ages 15–26. CSET will develop Whole Family Plans when appropriate and connect participants to services related to education, employment, housing, behavioral health, and other identified needs. Together, CSET and the City of Visalia are working to create stronger connections with youth and families, expand access to positive opportunities and support, and contribute to a safer, healthier, and more connected Visalia community. For more information about this new opportunity, please call Angel Avitia at (559) 732-4194.
SEQUOIA COMMUNITY CORPS OPEN HOUSE Please join us on Thursday, October 22 at 4:00 pm for our Sequoia Community Corps Open House! This will be a great opportunity to see the many SCC programs and opportunities available for young adults ages 18-24. There will be live demonstrations from all of the Corps programs to show the many skills Corpsmembers can learn. We’ll have staff and Corpsmembers providing informational sessions that demonstrate opportunities available through Public Works, Recycling, Forestry, and John Muir Charter School. We encourage our partners, community members and any potential Corpsmembers to come by our Open House. You’ll see firsthand how the SCC positively impacts our community, and how Corps programs provide valuable education, training, and leadership for the young adults who are in the Sequoia Community Corps. The event will be held at our Visalia Main Office, located at 312 NW 3rd Ave. in Visalia. For questions or more information please call (559) 732-4194.
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WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS This month we are honored to welcome three new community members to CSET’s Board of Directors. We are excited to welcome Jessica Mendez, Brenna Keck and Ray Guerrero to our Board. We are thrilled to have these outstanding individuals join the CSET family, and look forward to many years of serving the community together. Thank you to Marcia Becerra, Nancy Loliva and Malorie Barragan for your many years of dedication and service on our Board. We are grateful for your commitment to the people we serve and for providing valuable guidance and oversight to our organization.
VNC RESIDENTS FIND EMPLOYMENT Two residents of the Visalia Navigation Center have recently achieved remarkable milestones in their employment journeys. One resident has secured a role with Manpower, representing a significant step toward stability and independence. Another resident has just started a new job at Costco, bringing renewed hope and determination to their housing journey. These victories not only showcase their perseverance but also inspire others in the community to strive for success. We are so proud of our residents and look forward to celebrating many more successes at the Visalia Navigation Center.
TREES OF HOPE Please join us for our Annual Trees of Hope Christmas Tree Auction. Come and enjoy a festive evening celebrating community, complete with beautifully decorated Christmas trees, an exciting auction, dinner, music, and more! Every dollar raised helps CSET provide essential resources and life-changing support for individuals and families across Tulare County. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available by visiting www.cset.org/treesofhope. For questions or more information please email treesofhope@cset.org or call (559) 741-4661. Page 3
ATHAN’S JOURNEY TO ACHIEVING HIS GOALS Athan came to Visalia Employment Connection seeking Occupational Skills Training with a clear goal: to improve his employment opportunities, earn higher wages, and become a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). Through career coaching and job-readiness workshops, Athan strengthened his resume writing, interviewing, and job-search skills. Athan also completed career exploration workshops and a career interest profiler, which helped confirm that becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant was the right career path. Athan then enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant program at College of the Sequoias through Occupational Skills Training.
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 155 N K. St. Tulare, CA 93274 Tel. 559.684.1987
Employment Connection staff continued supporting Athan while he completed his coursework and clinical rotations. He received supportive services including a gas card, letters of recommendation and ongoing monthly support.
Earlimart CSET 176 N. Front St. Earlimart, CA 93219 Tel. 661.849.2960 Pixley CSET 927 Center St. Pixley, CA 93256 Tel. 559.575.0098
Athan successfully completed the Physical Therapist Assistant program, earned his certificate and applied for his state license. Most importantly, Athan achieved his goal: he secured employment as a Physical Therapist Assistant earning $32 per hour. Athan shared that he is extremely grateful for the assistance he received and that the training and supportive services were a tremendous help during his journey. Athan plans to continue advancing in the Physical Therapy field with the long-term goal of becoming a director.
Porterville CSET 372 N. 3rd Street Porterville, CA 93257 Tel. 559.216.0525 CSET Senior Services 1.800.321.2462 Cutler-Orosi, Earlimart, Exeter, Lindsay, Porterville, & Woodlake Visalia Navigation Center (VNC) 3525 N. Court St. Visalia, CA 93291
CSET combats poverty by providing individuals, families, and communities with the resources, skills, and opportunties to thrive. 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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