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IN THE NEWS


Visalia-based nonprofit swamped by

requests for help from San Joaquin Valley

groundwater agencies


East Orosi’s Struggle for Clean Drinking

Water


‘I don’t trust the water still’: Bakersfield

residents living in fear after water shutdown


State celebrates five years and secure

water for hundreds of thousands of

Californians thanks to the SAFER drinking

water program


More News Here

SHE Celebrates SAFER Program's 5-Year Anniversary!

On July 22nd, Self-Help Enterprises proudly joined the State Water Board and the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) to mark a significant milestone: the five-year anniversary of California's Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) drinking water program.  


This exciting event took place at Porterville City Hall, where a diverse group of partners, including the City of Porterville, elected officials, and community leaders gathered to reflect on the program's achievements and future aspirations. The celebration concluded with a bus tour of five SAFER projects around Porterville. Along the way, they paused to hear stories from residents and project leaders. 


“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made in this area, providing families with the clean drinking water they need,” said Jessi Snyder, Director of Community Development at Self-Help Enterprises. “Reaching the program’s midpoint is incredibly rewarding, and celebrating it with our partners highlights the impressive work done by the City of Porterville. This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our past accomplishments.” 


At the halfway mark of California's ten-year SAFER Program, the number of residents lacking access to clean drinking water has been reduced by over 50%. Since 2019, this figure has dropped from 1.6 million to 700,000. 


As we celebrate these achievements, we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to ensure that every Californian has access to safe and reliable drinking water. Here’s to many more years of progress and partnership in securing our water future! Read more

SHE's Emergency Services Team Provides Crucial Support Amid Record Heat and Fires

In the face of record-breaking temperatures and recent fires across the San Joaquin Valley, this month our Emergency Services (ES) teams have been working tirelessly to support affected communities.  


On July 5th, responding swiftly to a fire surrounding Mariposa County, SHE’s ES team stepped in to assist the residents of Creekside Terrace and Mariposa Oaks. They distributed bottled water and emergency preparedness materials to these SHE rental communities, comprising a total of 66 units. This prompt assistance provided families with essential resources during a difficult time, enhancing their readiness and resilience. Many residents expressed their gratitude for providing some much-needed reassurance during a period of uncertainty. 

A little over a week later, on July 16th, the ES team addressed water system issues in Allensworth by delivering 16 pallets of bottled water and emergency preparedness materials to 154 homes. This critical aid was vital for families facing disruptions to their water supply, helping them navigate the challenges posed by the ongoing issues. 


“Our recent efforts reflect the dedication of our staff to responding to emergencies and supporting our communities when they need it most,” said ES Manager, Kent Stahl. “We’re grateful for the hard work and commitment of our team in ensuring that help is available during critical times.” 

Rental Communities

SHE's Legacy of Affordable Housing

As Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) celebrates its 60th anniversary year, we reflect on our rich history and the impact of our diverse programs. This month, we highlight our Rental Communities, a cornerstone of our commitment to providing affordable housing solutions in the San Joaquin Valley. Realizing early on that homeownership alone could not address the housing needs of all residents, SHE expanded into rental housing development, beginning with the acquisition and rehabilitation of Bear Creek in 1979. 


The Bear Creek project, located near Planada, marked SHE's first foray into rental housing. Originally envisioned as a limited-equity housing cooperative, the project faced numerous challenges, including regulatory hurdles and complex financing. Despite these obstacles, the 37-unit community became an attractive and well-managed rental option for farmworkers, thanks to the collective efforts of SHE staff, local farmworkers, and community volunteers. The Bear Creek community was referred to as a "model for the nation," and set the stage for SHE's continued work in creating quality, affordable rental housing. 


Read more

Exciting Career Opportunities

Now Hiring:

Project Manager – Real Estate Development

 

As Project Manager, you will work on affordable housing development projects throughout the eight-county service territory. You will coordinate all aspects of development, including involvement with the selection of the design team and general contractors, application for project funding, including tax credits and other housing sources, construction management, and coordination with the mutual self-help housing program and/or the asset management team.

Apply Here

Join our team!

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!

Check out more open positions!
 
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