KEEPING THE COMMUNITY HEALTHY
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Self-Help Enterprises partnered with Kern County Public Health Services and Kern Family Health Care to host the Second Annual "Healthy Living" Health Fair at Self-Help Enterprises' North Park Apartments in Oildale.
Residents from the 104-unit apartment rental community attended the health fair on May 13, 2017. The fair promoted healthy living through chronic disease prevention as well as connected residents to critical healthcare and community resources.
To address access to dental care, Clinica Sierra Vista operated their 40-foot mobile dental clinic offering free dental services. Residents lined up to receive dental screenings, x-rays, cleanings, and fluoride treatments. In addition to treatment, families received oral health education about causes of tooth decay and instruction in the practice of good oral hygiene.
Additional health screenings including blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI), dissemination of educational materials and self-care demonstrations were also offered at no cost.
The "Healthy Living" Health Fair was a collaborative effort with local agencies, health centers and community benefit organizations, including Clinica Sierra Vista, Community Preventative Health Collaborative, Kern Stop Meth Now, Omni Family Health, Dignity Health, 2-1-1 Kern / CAPK, and California State University, Bakersfield Nursing Department.
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SOLAR AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
INVESTMENTS
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As an organization, Self-Help Enterprises is committed to providing affordable housing and fostering a sustainable future for our residents and communities. Self-Help Enterprises received funding from the Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) to install solar PV and a variety of energy conservation measures at five rental communities (304 units): North Park (Oildale), Solinas Village (McFarland), Almond Court (Wasco), Goshen Village II (Goshen), and Casas De La Vina (La Vina).
The LIWP projects provided the opportunity to install energy conservation retrofits in combination with renewable energy (solar PV) to offset remaining electrical loads, which lower utility costs for residents. These resources will result in the first zero net energy retrofit at Casas De La Vina, which is 100% electric. The five projects will reduce electrical consumption an average of 43% and will result in 882 kW of new solar PV power.
The solar PV projects also included a partnership with Proteus to provide labor through their job training program.
Additionally, the North Park upgrades were implemented in conjunction with the construction of a new community building. The community building will allow Self-Help Enterprises to expand onsite resident services and update the computer lab.
Among the five properties, improvements included upgraded hot water systems for more efficient hot water distribution, replacement of all older windows with new energy efficient dual pane windows, replacement of older air-conditioning/heating units with new air-conditioning/heating units, new interior and exterior LED lighting, new faucet aerators and shower heads, new washers and dryers in the common laundry area, attic insulation and duct sealing, and replacement of refrigerators that are older than 2013.
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Comparison of old windows (top) and the new dual-pane, energy efficient windows (bottom) at the North Park Apartments in Oildale, CA.
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TOM'S TAKE: THE ADMINISTRATION'S PLANS FOR USDA
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By Tom Collishaw, CEO of Self-Help Enterprises
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In a recent report to Congress, USDA proposed, as part of the administration's effort to streamline and reorganize federal agencies, to eliminate the appointed position of Undersecretary for Rural Development. Subsequently, the details of the administration's proposed federal budget for 2018 dropped with a thud onto the country's doorsteps. Taken together, these actions should greatly alarm all who care about the well-being of rural communities throughout the country.
The reorganization plan says it "recognizes and promotes the importance of rural development by placing it under the direct oversight of the Secretary." Sounds great, until you look at the numbers in the proposed budget: zeroes for 502 Direct Mortgages (all self-help homebuilders use this financing), 504 Grants and Loans (senior home repairs), 514/516 Farm Labor Rental Housing, 523 Mutual Self-Help Housing (without which there is no self-help program), and Water - Wastewater loans and grants, and also a big cut in 521 Rental Assistance for the poorest renters in rural America. It looks like we won't need an Undersecretary any more, since there will be no direct funding programs left to administer!
This approach should be taken as an affront to a constituency who elected the President - rural Americans. Rural Development is the only part of the federal government that focuses on the improvement and preservation of our rural towns and cities, including housing, business, infrastructure and community facilities.
We know that these programs have enjoyed strong support from Congress from both sides of the aisle because they have made a difference in the most challenging communities in the San Joaquin Valley.
We will be counting on these Congressional representatives as this budget-making process unfolds.
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SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO DESERVING STUDENTS
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Self-Help Enterprises awarded $6,500 in scholarships to nine local students in recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement. The Doris "Do" Dooley Scholarship, named after Self-Help Enterprises' former Board member and dedicated friend of the organization, was established to help the children of families who have participated in one of Self-Help Enterprises' programs to further their education.
This competitive academic scholarship is available to students who plan to enroll full-time in a vocational or trade school, community college or four-year university. The students were selected by Self-Help Enterprises' Board of Directors based on academic merit and commitment to community service.
The $1,000 scholarship awards went to:
- Josiah Lopez - Fresno (Self-Help Housing): Josiah plans to attend Dartmouth College and pursue engineering with the goal of working on projects that help people in the community. Josiah helped lead his team to second place in the Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Prosthetic Arm Team Competition and was awarded Most Outstanding MESA Student.
- Gloria Verdugo - Shafter (Self-Help Housing): Gloria is a first generation college student. She has excelled in academics, maintaining a 3.9 GPA while participating in many school organizations. This fall, Gloria will be pursuing a Kinesiology and pre-med degree at her dream school, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
The $750 scholarship awards went to:
- Chelsea Allen - Biola (Multi-Family Housing): Chelsea has worked vigorously toward her bachelor's degree and was accepted into the nursing program at National University. She was among 20 applicants from a pool of approximately 100 qualified applicants to be accepted into the nursing program.
- Lupe Lira-Ibarra - Lindsay (Self-Help Housing): Lupe is ranked 5th among her class of 221 students. She is actively involved in College of the Sequoias TRIO/Upward Bound Math & Science Program, which helps first generation students excel in college. Lupe will attend California State University, Fresno where she will major in mathematics to become a math teacher.
- Mayra Lira-Ibarra - Lindsay (Self-Help Housing): Mayra holds a 4.02 GPA and participates in the Future Business Leaders of America club where she has placed among the top five in business competitions at the club's Central Section Conference. Mayra plans to attend California State University, Fresno and pursue a degree in Liberal Arts or Liberal Studies as well as completing her multiple subject teaching credential to become an elementary school teacher.
- Karen Ruiz - Tulare (Self-Help Housing): Karen was selected as a color guard captain due to her leadership and organizational skills. Karen plans to attend College of the Sequoias for two years to work on her general education requirements and then transfer to a 4-year university to complete her bachelor's degree and teaching credential.
The $500 scholarship awards went to:
- Bibiana Barajas - Parksdale (Multi-Family Housing): Bibiana began her Kinesiology/Physical Education degree at California State University, Fresno (CSUF), but did not complete her academic course work due to her circumstances. With the continued desire to become an elementary school teacher, Bibiana re-applied to CSUF and was accepted. She will begin her coursework in Bilingual Education this fall.
- Isaiah Corona - Lemoore (Self-Help Housing): Isaiah is President of the American Sign Language Club as well as captain of his high school wrestling team where he is a two-time West Yosemite League wrestling champion. Isaiah has been accepted to San Francisco State University. Isaiah plans to pursue a career as a chiropractor or physical therapist with the goal of owning his own practice.
- Yadira Zamudio - Wasco (Multi-Family Housing): Yadira's passion for graphic design and media led her to learn how to use programs like Movie Maker and Photoshop. To hone her skills, Yadira is enrolled in her high school multimedia class and is a media assistant at her church. She plans to attend California State University, Bakersfield and major in digital communications and media.
The Doris "Do" Dooley Scholarship is possible because of the vision and generosity of many people including the Dooley family. Since 1997, Self-Help Enterprises has awarded 117 scholarships totaling $93,750 to deserving students.
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Self-Help Enterprises offers an exciting work environment where you can bring your high caliber skills to a true career opportunity and impact the world around you.
We have an opening for a
Construction Superintendent
responsible for t
he training and supervision of mutual self-help housing participants in the construction of their new homes.
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