Fall 2000
PROJECTS: Renewing Neighborhoods, Employment
 Two
San Joaquin County projects are strengthening neighborhoods while
developing job skills in the construction trade for welfare recipients
and low-income residents.
LODI RENEW — Revitalizing Existing Neighborhoods and Extending
the Workforce — is modeled after a successful program in
Stockton that has helped dozens move off welfare and into construction
jobs. Participants receive 160 hours of classroom instruction
and 480 hours of hands-on training in building demolition and
home construction and rehabilitation.
With assistance from the City of Lodi and a $250,000 loan from
Farmers and Merchants Bank, the San Joaquin County Housing Authority
will purchase properties in Lodi’s Eastside district. Due
to their poor condition, the buildings will be demolished and
new homes built. Working with Housing Authority construction staff,
LODI RENEW participants will be involved in all phases of demolition
and construction. The Housing Authority plans to sell the new
properties to low income residents who have graduated from a home
ownership course.
“We are very excited about the RENEW program in Lodi,”
said Bobbie Fasano, San Joaquin County CalWORKs’ deputy director.
“This program will have a positive impact on the community
and will provide valuable job skills to our CalWORKs participants
in an occupation with high demand and wages generally above $8.00
per hour.”
The program is coordinated through CalWORKs, the state’s
welfare-to-work program administered through the San Joaquin County
Human Services Agency.
For details: Bobbie Fasano, Deputy Director, Human Services
Agency, San Joaquin County, (209) 468-9400, bfasano@co.san-joaquin.ca.us.
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