Since 1965, Rural LISC partner Self-Help Enterprises, Inc. (SHE) has worked with families in California’s San Joaquin Valley to create affordable housing and strong communities. The bedrock of their work is the mutual self-help housing method of construction, in which new neighbors come together to build their homes with guidance from SHE’s staff.
Last month, LISC CEO Maurice A. Jones and Michael Carroll, Lending Director at Rural LISC, joined Tom Collishaw, SHE CEO, along with other SHE staff and clients for an entire day touring SHE project sites and learning about their enduring and comprehensive work in rural community development. View a slide show of the tour following the moving picture below.
SHE CEO Tom Collishaw joins founding SHE board member Ralph Rosedale for the opening of the Ralph Rosedale Community Center at SHE’s Sierra Village Apartments. The center will host financial education, fitness, computer, nutrition and ESL classes.
Michael Carroll and Maurice Jones join SHE CFO Kathy Long-Pence and former CEO Peter Carey at the new Rosedale Community Center.
Maurice Jones speaking with Self-Help Enterprises leadership and clients at the opening of the Rosedale Community Center.
Maurice Jones and Michael Carroll speak with SHE CEO Tom Collishaw at a newly-constructed mutual self-help home in Woodlake, CA.
Maurice Jones speaks with a SHE construction supervisor Carlos Garcia. SHE construction supervisors guide new homeowners in building their homes, helping them do everything from framing and laying tile to plumbing and electrical work.
The Mutual Self-Help model requires families and neighbors to work together, building strong communities along with new, affordable homes.
Families take ownership of their homes with “sweat equity,” meeting the requirements of 40 hours/week of work per family for the 9-12 months while an entire neighborhood of homes is constructed.
Despite being one of the most agriculturally productive areas of the U.S., the San Joaquin Valley has one of the highest poverty rates in the state of California, and lacks enough housing stock to meet the needs of low-income families.
Maurice Jones, Michael Carroll, Tom Collishaw and other SHE staff meet with Ruben Salazar, President, and Maria Olivera, Treasurer, of the Tooleville Mutual Water Company.Tooleville, like many Valley communities, faces drinking water contamination issues.
Maurice Jones with Tom Collishaw and Michael Carroll on a tour of the Camarena Palm Terrace multifamily housing project in Lindsay CA.
