Our Commitment during COVID-19







GATEWAY CLASSES

The Homeownership Counseling and Education Program is currently functioning as normal with all classes and one-on-one sessions via phone. We ask participants to submit documentation via upload to our website rather than mailing or emailing.

For the latest COVID-19 program updates, visit our website .


Dear Participants, Partners and Community,

By now you are probably exhausted from reading all of the messages from businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies regarding the coronavirus pandemic and how it is impacting their services. Needless to say, we are living in unprecedented times. I will try to stick to the relevant facts about Self-Help Enterprises and its services.

Participants and People Needing our Help
  • While our offices remain closed to the public, our staff continues to work remotely. Most have forwarded their direct phone line calls to their offsite phones, so do not hesitate to call them directly. For general information or new inquiries, call 559-651-1000 Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
  • Construction of residential housing remains an exempt activity from the Governor’s Executive Order to shelter in place, so our construction activities are continuing (including self-help homes.)
  • For up to date information about our various programs and worksites, please visit selfhelpenterprises.org.

Funding Partners
  • While it is impossible to project the overall financial impact of this crisis, Self-Help Enterprises remains strong financially and does not anticipate any short term problems.
  • SHE intends to honor all financial and performance commitments in our numerous contracts, and communicate directly and timely should barriers to such commitments arise.
  • We are committed to supporting our talented and committed staff during a difficult period.

Supporters
  • We are keenly aware that many of the people we serve fall into the most vulnerable categories from both a public health and financial perspective. With this in mind, SHE will continue be guided by our mission as we are confronted with escalating needs in our service area.
  • Volunteer activities are temporarily suspended due to the pandemic. However, if you are interested in volunteering once we are able to resume such activities, please contact us.

Regardless of the ultimate breadth of the current challenge, we will emerge from the crisis as we have from all others – intact and committed to working together with low income families to build and sustain healthy homes and communities.

Sincerely,

Tom Collishaw
President & CEO
Residents Use Bailoterapia To Improve Their Health
*Photo displayed is of a past bailoterapia class. Currently, classes are being held virtually amid COVID-19 situation.

Susana Martinez [name changed for privacy], a single mom of 4 living in Parksdale Village II, one of SHE’s 35 rental communities, recently took on bailoterapia (dance therapy) for two main reasons: (1) to improve her health and (2) to offer some positive distraction for her sister, who has been dealing with a chronic illness.
 
"I saw a flyer announcing the free class and called my sister to join me," said Susana. "I am not normally very social, but I thought it would be good for us to get out of the house and forget, even for a little bit, about her chronic illness. Moving has been good for both of us." Read more.
COVID-19 Housing Resources & Assistance
For immediate assistance in discussing a potential foreclosure, rental housing resources
(including eviction prevention) and financial counseling, please contact Self-Help Enterprises at (559) 651-1000. TDD (800) 735-2929. Se Habla Español.

In Other News
There is a new deadline for the Doris "Do" Dooley Scholarship: now accepting applications until Thursday, April 30th . This opportunity is open to children of SHE's participant families to further their education. This competitive academic scholarship is available to students from families that have participated in one of our programs and who plan to enroll full time (12 units or more) in a vocational or trade school, community college or four-year university. Scholarship recipients must submit verification of enrollment prior to disbursement of funds.

We encourage students to apply even if they are unable to obtain school transcripts as a result of school closures due to COVID-19. Click here to learn how to apply.
A training focused on homelessness, tenant protection and affordable housing was held on February 29 at Parksdale Village II. The event was hosted by Residents United Network (RUN) and SHE's Resident Services Program. Participants formed groups to discuss and brainstorm possible solutions to the topics. The outcomes are then used to inform the State RUN Policy Director for state level housing policy change and feedback. RUN is an advocacy-based effort to build, strengthen and promote the voices of residents around a variety of issues for the betterment of their communities.

"Bringing our residents together and building community around affordable housing is helping to address and strengthen our voices for change," says Roberto Garcia, one of SHE's Resident Services Coordinators.
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