Town Hall Meeting: Helping people, changing lives

On Thursday, April 23, San Benito County Health & Human Services Agency, Department of Community Services & Workforce Development (CSWD), the Community Action Board, Mayor Ignacio Velazquez and Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz, will host a town hall meeting at The Vault, 452 San Benito St., at 6 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to gather information from the public regarding service needs for low-income residents. This meeting will also provide an opportunity for residents to let us know about gaps in services and the needs for the low-income families in our community.

The Community Action Boardof San Benito County is in the process of identifying its funding priorities for the upcoming year. In order to set these priorities, it is important to understand what the community feels the needs of our community are. We invite residents to voice their opinion and comments on services such as:

Access to Food

• Shelter & Housing Support
• Domestic & Gang Violence
• Employment Resources

We also need your input on identifying:

• Gaps in services for low-income individuals & families
• Barriers to moving out of poverty
• Services needed to support low-income individuals & families
• Strategies to relieve danger & violence in Impoverished communities

Using the results of the Community Needs Assessment completed in 2013, CSWD was able to secure $2.7 million in grant funding to provide essential services including enrichment scholarships for low-income children (Dream Catcher), Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) free tax preparation services, the construction of a homeless service center, renter’s assistance and water bill payment assistance.

Programs and Services provided in 2014:

Utility Payment Assistance

• 816 families served with Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (PG&E or Propane)
• 229 families served with Drought Water Assistance Program (DWAP)
• 170 Families served with the Drought Rental & Utility Assistance Program

Youth Enrichment Program

• 127 Children served with the Dream Catcher

Family Winter Shelter housed from Dec. 1, 2014 to March 30, 2015.

• 65 children
• 40 adults
• Total 28 families

Workforce Services:

• 35 – Enrolled Individual Training Accounts (ITA),
• 26 – individuals completed job training
• 13 – Confirmed working.

Migrant Center Services

• 67 family units
• 72 families housed during the migrant season
• 40 families on the wait list
• Total of 270 individuals served

Our goal is to have every community member complete the survey by May 31, 2015. Thank you in advance for your support and assistance in identifying the needs of our community. Please contact our staff at Community Services & Workforce Development if you have any questions at (831) 637-9293

If you are unable to attend but would like to provide written testimony, please submit to:

For more information on any of our programs, services or Community Action Board meeting dates & times please visit www.sbccab.wix.com/cab1