........................ . Progress for Lake of the Woods
I N THE NEWS
Lake of the Woods (LOW) is no stranger to the ‘water struggle’. This unincorporated Kern County community located in San Emigdio Mountains, has dealt with old leaking waterlines and a drought impacted water supply for several years, and more recently, drinking water contamination. 

Residents here get their water from groundwater supplied by the Lake of the Woods Mutual Water Company (Mutual), a not-for-profit company that serves approximately 401 households and businesses in the area.

In 2013, in the beginning of the drought, Mutual’s main water well went completely dry. Mutual immediately enacted mandatory water restrictions and was forced to haul water during the summer to supplement the community’s water needs. During this time, Mutual’s water supply drastically fell from 300 gallons per minute to 70 gallons per minute, losing over two thirds of the water supply within only a few months. In addition to the low groundwater supply, the water distribution system was losing almost 40% of its pumped water through leakages of old waterlines and unmetered house services in desperate need of replacing. They drilled four dry test wells in search of water. Read more.
Message from our CEO
Construction Begins in Patterson
On November 18, SHE closed the construction financing required to construct 138 units of affordable rental housing in Patterson (Stanislaus County). Stonegate Village I/II is being financed as a hybrid project through the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program. The hybrid approach allowed SHE to leverage 4% and 9% LIHTCs together in one combined project. Stonegate Village I/II is a combination of one, two and three-bedroom units, with a 3,500 centrally located community building, basketball court, playground, and other recreational open space. Stonegate Village I is 66 units and will be complete in January 2021 and Stonegate Village II is 72 units and will be complete in July 2021.

The project includes a variety of partnerships, including the Central Valley Opportunity Center, Stanislaus Regional Transit, MOVE, and other community-based groups. Funding for the project includes debt and equity from Wells Fargo, Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities funding from the Strategic Growth Council and Housing and Community Development (HCD), National Housing Trust Funds from HCD, and funding through the City of Patterson from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

In addition, the single family Mutual Self-Help Housing project in Patterson also began construction, with the first group, called Patterson 17, already in progress. Patterson 18 will begin at the end of the month. Please contact Lupe Felix at (559) 971-0168 if you are interested in building your own home.
Resident Services Activities
Thanksgiving Food Drive

Every year around Thanksgiving, SHE's Resident Services provides holiday baskets for families in need. SHE staff and partner organizations such as the Visalia Latino Rotary, Family HealthCare Network, House of Hope and Combat Veteran's Hope delivered 70 turkeys with a $20 local grocery store gift card to low-income families with children in SHE rental properties throughout Tulare County. " It is wonderful to be able help share joy and hope to so many families and a great way to begin the holiday season," says Kari Ludvickson, Housing Specialist and Resident Services Coordinator at SHE.

"Thank you so much, this is such a great blessing to my family!" - Amy
Lindsey High School Visits Dry Creek

SHE was awarded the STEP-UP grant from the Tulare County Youth Commission to fund field trips to various locations. The trips will provide a hands-on approach to introducing Lindsay high school students to STEM focused vocational careers. The purpose is to demonstrate alternative post-graduation options for students who may not be college-bound. The second of 8 field trips was to Sequoia River Land Trust’s (SRT) Dry Creek Preserve. The 20 high school students received a guided tour by SRT staff across the 152 acre former gravel quarry. The students learned about land restoration, the benefits of sustainable grazing and planted indigenous trees.

In Other News
$20,000 for Homeownership Education

Our Gateway Program was awarded $20,000 for homeownership education from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. We are excited to expand our partnership with Bank of America continuing to provide Homeownership Education and an expanded financial education program. These funds will help ensure our families are better equipped for homeownership.
Fresno High Volunteers in Woodlake

This month a group of Fresno High students spent the day volunteering at the active construction site in Woodlake. As volunteers, folks are instructed by a construction supervisor and work side-by-side with the participants, helping to build what for many low-income families is only a dream. We are working to enhance our volunteering process to make it easier for people to sign up, stay tuned!
Board Member Highlights
Guadalupe (Lupe) Martinez

Guadalupe Martinez was born in Brownsville, Texas and moved to California with his mother and family in 1964. He soon started working in the fields of the San Joaquin Valley, working for a variety of farm labor contractors. Mr. Martinez left school at an early age to work to provide for his family. 
 
While working in the grape fields in Ducor, Mr. Martinez met several organizers from the United Farm Workers (UFW), including Cesar Chavez. He soon joined the UFW staff in Delano and worked as a full-time volunteer, organizing farm workers for a $10 weekly stipend. In 1984, Cesar Chavez asked Mr. Martinez to move to Canada to help organize the grape boycott. Because of his dedication and belief, he moved his family to Toronto, Ontario, Canada where they lived and organized support for the UFW. Upon his return from Canada in 1988, Mr. Martinez has continued his work in support of social and environmental just issues within farm worker communities at both the UFW and most recently at the Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment.
Upcoming Events
F inancial Management: My Money, My Credit Workshop
Date: December 3, 2019
Time: 6pm-8pm
Cost: $30
Location: 8445 Elowin Court, Visalia, CA 93291
MUST CALL (559) 651-1000 to reserve your seat.

Date: December 7, 2019
Time: 9am-5pm
Cost: $125-175
Location: 8445 Elowin Court, Visalia, CA 93291
MUST CALL (559) 651-1000 to reserve your seat.