FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CSET Honors Employees and Partners of the Year During Annual Community Action Event

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27, 2022

CSET Honors Employees and Partners of the Year During Annual Community Action Event

Employees of the year group Photo: (left to right) John Chavez, Crystal Shinault, Rachel Rodriguez, Amanda Chavez, Vanessa Lopez, Omar Gutierrez, Jose Lucas, David Gallo, Shawn Kemp, Esmeralda Basulto Manso, Cynthia Rodriguez, Sandra Jimenez Perez, Janelle Hickey.

[Tulare County, CA] In celebration of Community Action Month, Community Services Employment Training (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:

• Esmeralda Basulto Manso from Supported Adult Workforce

• John Chavez from Communication and Information Systems

• Amanda Chavez from Youth Workforce

• David Gallo from Sequoia Community Corps

• Omar Gutierrez from Youth Workforce

• Janelle Hickey from Resource Development

• Sandra Jimenez Perez from Finance

• Shawn Kemp from Sequoia Community Corps

• Vanessa Lopez from Youth Workforce

• Jose Lucas from Sequoia Community Corps

• Cynthia Rodriguez from Adult Workforce

• Rachel Rodriguez from Energy

• Crystal Shinault from Community Initiatives

CSET is appreciative of those who joined 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. To learn more about this year’s Community Action Month visit our website at www.cset.org/communityaction2022.

As the Community Action Agency in Tulare County, CSET addresses the developing needs of individuals, youth, and families living in poverty. In Tulare County, 23.8% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty level (American Community Survey, 2019). 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.

Community Action Agencies were created in 1964 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. CSET is a member of the National Community Action Partnership and the Community Action Network. Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

CSET has been the Community Action Agency for Tulare County since 1986. CSET’s mission is to inspire youth, families, and communities to achieve self-reliance through innovative pathways and collaboration. To learn more about CSET’s services and impact in Tulare County, please visit www.cset.org or call (559) 732-4194.

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