This summer, as part of our commitment to empowering families in the San Joaquin Valley, we proudly awarded 16 students with $22,500 in scholarships. The Doris “Do” Dooley Scholarship program is named after SHE’s former Board member and dedicated friend of the organization. Through it, we offer scholarships to students pursuing a higher education whose families participated in a SHE program. In representation of SHE, members of our leadership and Board Members attended the scholarship ceremonies of some of the new award recipients. 

Board Member Tina Sumner celebrated with Nancy Vilchis-Gonzalez from Reedley High School, who received a $1,500 scholarship. Nancy is headed to Berkeley in the fall where she will study Child Psychology.  

Eddie Ocampo, SHE’s Director of Community Sustainability, attended Chowchilla High School’s scholarship ceremony where he presented Ava Price with her $1,500 award. Ava is excited to pursue a degree in psychology to become a school counselor.  

The impact of the scholarship, with awards ranging from $1,350 to $1,500, goes beyond new high school graduates. It also helps spark hope and advance equitable access to education for students who are already on their path to soon completing their degree. This summer, Gizelle Castillo Alvarez was awarded a $1,350 scholarship and has received multiple awards from SHE over the past few years. “As much as my parents encouraged me to attend college, I knew that there was no manner in which my parents could afford it. However, with the help of this scholarship there is great financial relief for both my parents and myself,” shared Gizelle. “This generous donation is very helpful in pursuing my major, liberal studies. With this major, I hope to become an elementary school teacher and hopefully come back to my hometown of Woodlake to give back to my community.” Gizelle is on track to graduate from California State University, Fresno next year. 

On May 1st, one of SHE’s newest projects, The Lofts at Fort Visalia, was recognized as the winner of the 2024 Blueprint Award of Excellence in the category of Downtown Revitalization. Awards were presented at the 17th Annual San Joaquin Valley Policy Conference in Visalia. Members of SHE’s team in attendance included Tom Collishaw, President and CEO; Betsy McGovern-Garcia, Vice President; and Kristin Ainley, Sr. Project Manager for The Lofts. 

The San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Awards program recognizes the outstanding achievements and practices in the built environment that also reflect the Blueprint Principles. These principles are visually represented in the efficient and environmentally conscious projects throughout the San Joaquin Valley. In collaboration with state, county, and local partners, The Lofts at Fort Visalia represents a successful revitalization of a part of downtown Visalia and embraces several of the Blueprint Principles. 

The Lofts at Fort Visalia is an 80-unit multi-family affordable rental community located in the heart of downtown Visalia that connects housing with arts and local history to provide an innovative environment where residents are set up to thrive. It officially opened to the public in December of 2023. Through integrated permanent supportive housing and robust onsite services, the community services both families and individuals experiencing homelessness. 

Self-Help Enterprises’ Leadership Institute (LI) builds the capacity of community members and water management agencies to find rural community water supply solutions. Education is key! On May 17th, LI participants explored the San Joaquin River Watershed. The group of 30 included community members from across the San Joaquin Valley, staff and students from UC Merced, and staff from partners like Merced County and Madera County, amongst others. One of the first stops in the tour included an area near Coyote Sno-Park to learn about a Beaver Dam Analog Project (BDA) that improves meadow health and water supply in one of three meadow study areas in the southern Sierra National Forest. Next stops included Camp Edison on the shores of Shaver Lake, a visit to the Salmon Conservation and Research Facility, and the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust. 

Together the group learned how Sierra Forest health, fire management, river and ecosystem restoration, multiple use, and coordinated management of snow melt and rain runoff supply water to the Valley. Presentations and discussions covered a wide range of environmental and water conservation topics, including hydroelectric power and water storage to support a secure water supply for drinking, agriculture, and environmental benefits. Interactive activities encouraged participants to view water sources and water management from a broad range of perspectives to broaden their understanding of the value of water to all. Read more

As Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) celebrates its 60th anniversary, we take pride in reflecting on the roots and history of our cornerstone programs. This month, we focus on our Housing Rehabilitation Program, a vital part of our mission to improve neighborhoods through affordable housing solutions.  

Recognizing the urgent need to preserve and improve existing housing stock for low-income families, SHE expanded its efforts beyond the construction of single-family homes to include rehabilitation projects. In June 1974, SHE launched the effort to preserve and improve existing housing stock, an essential part of meeting the housing needs of low-income households. With initial funding of $30,955 from the newly established Tulare County Community Action Program, SHE embarked on a demonstration housing rehabilitation project. Bill Lovett was appointed to manage the project, with labor contributions from local families and a dedicated group of VISTA volunteers. Read more

Our team of 200+ people are joined with a shared mission of working with families to build and sustain healthy homes and communities. You can too!