This month, Self-Help Enterprises' Field Technicians worked together on the Tillie Creek Kitty water system at Wofford Heights near Lake Isabella, inspecting and weatherizing water tanks. With incoming storms, our Field Technicians ensure proper water tank sealing to prevent contamination and cover pumps to avoid premature weathering. Self-Help Enterprises proudly extends its support to 7 participants in the area, emphasizing that no community is too small for our dedicated efforts.   

The residents, dependent on the Tillie Creek Kitty water system, started experiencing water well issues a year ago. It was then that Randy Kyt, a local community leader who works at the Wofford Heights Cemetery, reached out to Self-Help Enterprises. On the day he called, SHE’s Emergency Services team delivered bottled water to every home in the area as the team started working toward a permanent solution that could meet the resident's water needs. SHE placed two large tanks and installed a pump system that now provides all the homes with adequate water access. “Our entire community is very happy to have these installed,” said Randy. “We know that SHE is doing everything they can to help and get the community water well repaired.” In collaboration with the Emergency Services team's services, SHE's Community Development team now continues to work with the system, Kern County, and funding agencies on a permanent solution to the community's water issues. 

During seasons of stormy weather, SHE encourages all domestic water well owners to take preventive measures and inspect their equipment to ensure it is ready for incoming winter storms. This includes ensuring water drains are properly away from well equipment, electrical equipment is adequately sealed and protected, and well caps are in good condition. Snow and rain can test the integrity of well equipment, such as that of the community at Wofford Heights. It can also lead to contamination if outside debris and material gets into their system. “Our community is very thankful,” said Randy. “We feel blessed for all the help SHE is providing and for all the hard work those involved are doing.” 

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 29th, 2024!

English and Spanish Applications Available Here

Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) is thankful for our ongoing partnership with the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG), which will help us develop more affordable housing projects in the community! Through the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) 2.0 Grant, the State of California helps accelerate infill housing development, reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), and increase affordable housing supply. TCAG was awarded $6.4 million dollars committed to spurring affordable housing projects, which will enable SHE to move multiple exciting projects forward and help achieve the community-building goals of the grant.  

One of these projects includes The Neighborhood Village in Goshen, which exclusively serves formerly unhoused neighbors. The upcoming project will help reduce the need for driving by residents by providing robust services and case management directly on-site, meaning residents won’t have to worry about not having a car or getting a ride. Additionally, the site is located within ¼ mile of a bus stop that SHE installed through a previous Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities grant. A second SHE community supported by the funding will be Crescent Meadows, an affordable senior housing development located on an infill site that will include 80 affordable housing units in Visalia. 

Other projects include the Transit Center in the City of Farmersville, which will serve residents with multiple bus line stops and active transportation amenities such as sidewalks and shading. The Transit Center is being developed with the Los Arroyos affordable housing project, which will provide 108 units on a former infill site that now connects residents within walking distance of public transit, a walking trail, a park, schools, and pharmacy/retail. An additional endeavor is the Transit Pass Voucher Program, which will provide free transit vouchers to several SHE affordable housing projects for three years to help eliminate transportation barriers and reduce VMT. As a result of TCAG’s efforts to support investments in affordable housing in conjunction with high-quality transit, a total of 744 new affordable housing units will be developed in Tulare County. 

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!