THE COMMUNITY VOICE A Quarterly Newsletter by Community Services Employment Training
September 2020
Dear Community Partners, CSET is proud to be partnering with local partners to meet the increased needs of Tulare County residents impacted by the pandemic. As part of our Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), CSET is providing rental, mortgage, and utility bill assistance along with employment services through the Employment Connection centers. We have streamlined our application process, providing individuals with the opportunity to apply online or come into our office to schedule an appointment. Additional staff have been brought on to assure we can meet the growing needs of our community. We are also a proud partner of the Tulare County Community Care Coalition helping to connect families in rural areas to COVID-19 testing, essential services, and referral to safety net resources. Thank you to our Board of Directors, staff, partners, funders, and all those who helped make a difference and foster hope in our community during these challenging times. Your flexibility, commitment, and support are truly appreciated. Sincerely, Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner, CSET Executive Director
CSET STAFF PROVIDE RESOURCES TO RURAL RESIDENTS AT DRIVE-THRU GIVING EVENTS CSET is honored to be part of the Tulare County Community Care Coalition. Alongside our partners, we are dedicated to protecting and strengthening the wellbeing of our community. CSET’s Community Initiatives team has participated in numerous drive-thru giving events throughout Tulare County to distribute resources and supplies to rural communities. More than 600 families have benefited from this event and received a range of resources such as water, food, baby supplies, face masks, backpacks for children, and information about community resources. We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of this collaboration and helping families during these challenging times.
Family Resource Center staff (left to right) Alicia Cortes & Angel Avitia provide blanket kits and food to families at Earlimart Giving & Testing Event.
Page 1
SEPTEMBER 2020
VOL. 29
EMERGENCY RENTAL & MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE
Sr. Program Specialist Amanda Strange screening eligible households for rental and mortgage assistance.
CSET’s housing team is working diligently to ensure those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are informed about the emergency funds that can help cover their rental or mortgage payment. A total of 727 households have applied for the rental and mortgage assistance. The assistance will provide support to low and moderate income households that experienced an income reduction, became unemployed, and were directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants must meet all income eligibility verification requirements; only one (1) pre-application per household will be accepted and a verifiable hardship is required to receive assistance.
More information about the application process is available at www.cset.org/housing.
VALLARTA SUPERMARKETS GIVES $3,000 TO HELP FEED SENIOR CITIZENS Thank you Vallarta Supermarkets and the Gonzalez Family Foundation for your contribution to CSET's Senior Services. Porterville senior citizens will benefit tremendously with your generous gift of $3,000. We look forward to our partnership in delivering nutritious meals to our Porterville senior citizens. We honor CSET Senior Services staff: (left to right) Albert Cendejas, Enrique Herrera, Aimee your support! Murphy, and Raquel Gomez.
Page 2
SEPTEMBER 2020
VOL. 29
BACK 2 WORK PROGRAM EXPANDS TO KERN COUNTY We are grateful for the opportunity to expand employment opportunities for local Veterans in partnership with Butte County Office of Education and Caltrans Central Valley District 6. Last month, the Bakersfield Back2Work crew and partners met to review the partnership and plan project activities. Teams discussed everyone's role, safety measures, and future partnership opportunities. Sr. Program Coordinator Raquel Roa shared the following about the new partnership:
In attendance - BCOE Grant Manager RayAnn Cruz, CalTrans Supervisor Jay Asistin, (CSET staff) Raquel Roa, Andrea Franco, and Sammy Huerta.
"CSET has a reputation of providing quality programs and services, and I am excited to bring that awesomeness to Bakersfield! The Back2Work program is a perfect leg up for Veterans who are having a hard time finding unsubsidized employment. We have big plans for our Bakersfield Vets and are so happy to bring them this new opportunity!"
EMPLOYMENT CONNECTION & IBEW LOCAL 100 HOST DRIVE-THRU HIRING EVENT The Tulare County Employment Connection held its first drive-thru hiring event last month in partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 100 (IBEW Local 100). The event was held outside in the Visalia Employment Connection’s parking lot and safety measures were implemented to protect the health of our attendees, partners, and staff. A total of 71 job seekers attended the event and received an interview on the spot; interviews were conducted while attendees IBEW Local 100 staff interviewing candidates. remained in their vehicles, averaging about 10-15 minutes per candidate. Job seekers also received information regarding the various career services and job training opportunities provided by the Employment Connection. Reflecting on the great success of the drive-thru hiring event, the Tulare County Employment Connection and IBEW Local 100 plan to team up for a second drive-thru event at the Porterville Employment Connection. Businesses interested in learning more about recruitment efforts through the Tulare County Employment Connection are encouraged to contact Business Engagement Specialist Monica Andrade at (559) 713-5195 or mandrade@employmentconnect.org.
Page 3
SEPTEMBER 2020
VOL. 29
HOW YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE EXPLORING CAREER PATHWAYS THROUGH THE STEPS PROGRAM 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 The Summer Training and Employment Program for Students (STEPS) is a career readiness program for young people with disabilities. Students gain valuable one-on-one career readiness coaching that builds on their strengths to equip them for paid work experience in their career pathway. STEPS has successfully implemented its career pathways approach, through which some worksite partners have permanently hired the students, which was the case for recent STEPS participant Alejandra. Alejandra was hired permanently for a position that will help her achieve her dream job of working in physical therapy. Alejandra embodies STEPS' mission and vision of engaging in post-secondary pathways and thriving in economic mobility for students with disabilities. Alejandra received work experience at Mendonca Spine Care Center after expressing a career passion in physical therapy. At first, Alejandra was apprehensive about her abilities and limited job experience. Despite this, she persevered and her work-readiness attendance was impeccable. Once her work experience ended, Alejandra was hired by Dr. Mendonca to join the Mendonca Spine Care Center team. We are very proud of Alejandra's determination and accomplishments during the program and wish her the best in her healthcare career.
Porterville Employment Connection 1063 W. Henderson Ave. Porterville, CA 93257 Tel. 559.788.1400 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 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:
Page 4