PRESS RELEASE

City of Porterville                                                                                          
291 N. Main Street
Porterville, CA 93257
www.ci.porterville.ca.us/newslist.php

For more information contact:
Yuriko Velarde, Administrative Analyst
yvelarde@ci.porterville.ca.us

February 14, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW STATE ROUTE BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT LAUNCHES IN PORTERVILLE

On Monday, February 6, 2023, the City of Porterville began its Litter Abatement Pilot Project, in collaboration and partnership with the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG), California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) and Community Services Employment Training (CSET).  The Project will employ individuals experiencing homelessness to conduct beautification activities along State Route 65 and State Route 190 within the city limits, including off ramps and other transportation public right of ways near the State Routes where litter accumulates. The increased litter abatement will accompany planned landscaping projects along the State Routes.

The Project has been approved for three years to increase cleanup efforts to improve the scenic and unique ecological characteristics of the city. At its meeting on August 2, 2022, the Porterville City Council approved the appropriation of $50,000 of local Measure I funds annually, approved a draft Agreement with CSET to operate the Project, approved a draft Delegated Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans and the appropriation of $110,000 in State funding, and the utilization of $145,000 of TCAG Measure R funds to support the Project.

The Project includes one CSET crew (through the Sequoia Community Corps) completing two cleaning cycles per month along the designated State Routes. Employment referrals for this Project are received from agencies such as Turning Point of Central California and Central California Family Crisis Center, who provide individuals experiencing homelessness with case management support and assistance with finding permanent housing.

This income earning opportunity increases the ability to obtain and retain permanent housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. The beautification project also provides participants an opportunity to learn new life skills while giving back to and improving the community.

To learn more about CSET’s Sequoia Community Corps you may call (559) 732-4194, or visit: https://www.cset.org/sequoia-community-corps.