The latest weather pattern presents multiple hazards for vulnerable communities throughout the Valley. Guidance from the Kings County Office of Emergency Services and the Hazard and Vulnerability Index map showed that the communities of Kettleman City and Stratford had some of the highest risk factors and were in need of resources to address them.  

Our Emergency Services team recently made proactive efforts to help these communities prepare in case of an emergency. They canvassed the local neighborhoods with kits provided by LISTOS, including SHE bags, flashlights, ponchos, and first-aid supplies. They also included the LISTOS Disaster Ready Guide, which is available in multiple languages.  

As they met with residents, they explained how these bags and their contents served as a great way to jump-start their families' to-go bag, a critical tool in disaster preparedness. A family to-go bag holds essentials and important documents that can be easily grabbed in the event of an evacuation. Residents were elated to have these guides and resources available at their doorstep, as many felt uncertain of what to do with the looming flood risks across California. One resident gave the team a few clippings from her beautiful succulent garden as a token of appreciation and shared some of her own guidance on how to grow them! 

Self-Help Enterprises recently received a generous $10,000 grant through the Bank of the Sierra to continue to support the organization’s community sustainability initiatives across the Central Valley.  

“We greatly appreciate Bank of the Sierra’s donation to support our efforts. This funding will have a direct impact on our efforts to provide much needed assistance to communities who face disproportionate impacts from inequitable water management, land use and planning decisions,” said Sonia Sanchez, Self-Help Enterprises Senior Community Development Specialist. 

The Community Sustainability (CS) programs focus on community engagement and planning in the area of clean, affordable water and energy. Significant project efforts include the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program, as well as equity and power building. The grant will help expand measures and resources to ensure long-term sustainable water sources in rural communities. Funding will be crucial as Valley residents prepare for the upcoming drought season.  

The CS team will also use the grant to connect disadvantaged communities to clean, renewable, and affordable energy sources. This includes clean energy projects such as Solar on Multi-family Affordable Housing (SOMAH), which provides financial incentives for installing solar panel systems on multi-family, affordable housing. Additional clean mobility projects include Miocar, an electric vehicle car-sharing service that provides affordable transportation from cars at several SHE multi-family housing sites. 

SHE is pleased to announce the availability of competitive academic scholarships from the Doris “Do” Dooley Scholarship Fund, named after SHE’s former Board member and dedicated friend of the organization. 

This scholarship is available to students from families that have participated in SHE programs such as Rental Housing, Self-Help Housing, Housing Rehabilitation, and Community Development, amongst others. Students must enroll full time (minimum 12 units) in a post-secondary school program.  Scholarship amounts vary by year and typically range from $250 to $2,500. 

Deadline to Apply is Friday, March 30th, 2023! 

English and Spanish Applications Available Here