In celebration of May as Community Action Month, Community Services Employment Training (CSET) is showcasing its impact to the community by highlighting participant success stories, impactful numbers, and honoring its employees of the year. As the Community Action Agency in Tulare County, CSET addresses the developing needs of individuals, youth, and families living in poverty. Annually, CSET serves more than 11,000 local residents through a variety of services including job training, financial strengthening, housing, food insecurity, utility assistance, family services, and much more.

Join us all month long through our social media channels and website to celebrate Community Action Month. We welcome the community to learn more about our services and programs and how Community Action agencies like CSET help local families achieve economic stability.

CSET is a member of the National Community Action Partnership and the Community Action Network. More than a thousand agencies nationwide are celebrating May as Community Action Month and are working daily to create opportunities, transform the lives of individuals, and improve communities.

Community Action History

Community Action comes out of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty and from the advocacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 created the Community Action Network of national and locally-focused organizations that connect millions of children and families to greater opportunity.

Community Action Agencies were created in 1964 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. CSET is the Community Action Agency for Tulare County.

In celebration of Community Action Month, CSET hosted its Annual Community Action Event on May 25th at the Visalia Veterans Memorial Building. The event celebrated CSET’s role in the community as the Community Action Agency in Tulare County, as well as the resilience and outstanding work performed across the agency. CSET honorees for Employee of the Year and partners were also recognized during the event.

Two outstanding partners were honored with the “Partnerships Making A Difference Award”. Among the partners to receive this award was Chief Michelle M. Bonwell of Tulare County Probation Department for her visionary leadership in creating the Community Connections and bringing together community organizations to increase services for Tulare County residents. Deputy Chief Margarita Luna accepted the award on behalf of the Probation Department. Butte County Office of Education also received this award for its commitment to providing training and access to jobs through its Back2Work program while improving communities through Caltrans litter abatement and beautification projects. Senior Director Keith Lane received the award on behalf of Butte County Office of Education.

Congratulations to the following honorees who received the 2022 CSET Employee of the Year award: