Self-Help Enterprises
Irma Wheeler is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in project management and insurance sales. Currently serving as President and Project Tech 2 at Self-Help Enterprises since April 2021, Irma also holds the position of President for the Visalia Seahawks Swim Team since June 2006, focusing on fundraising and volunteer efforts. Previously, Irma was an Insurance Producer at MVP Premier Insurance from April 2011 to November 2020 and worked at the Automobile Club of Southern California from January 2001 to April 2011 in various roles, including Insurance Agent and Insurance Business Manager. Irma began a career in insurance as a Life Insurance Agent at New York Life Insurance Company from June 1999 to January 2001.
Self-Help Enterprises
Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) is a nationally recognized community development organization whose mission is to work together with low-income families to build and sustain healthy homes and communities. The pioneer and leading provider of mutual self-help housing in the United States, SHE’s efforts today encompass a range of efforts to build better homes and communities for farmworkers and other hard working families. In the past 50 years, SHE has helped more than 6,000 families to build their own homes, rehabilitated over 6,000 unsafe homes, developed over 1,300 units of affordable rental housing and has provided technical assistance for reliable access to safe drinking water and sanitary sewer infrastructures to more than 100 small communities. SHE’s commitment to providing resources and training for individuals builds capacity of highly effective leaders in communities that also promote collaborative solutions for improving communities. These combined efforts have touched the lives of over 50,000 families, providing security and stability for families and building strong, healthy and sustainable communities. Services: ~ Self-Help Housing: With skilled onsite supervision, families participate directly in the construction of their own homes. The cost savings –"sweat equity" provides the down payment on the new home that they otherwise could not afford. ~ Multi-Family Housing (MFH): MFH is a way to meet the need for affordable housing. Resident services are offered including afterschool programs, adult education classes, & computer literacy classes. ~ Homebuyer Program: SHE provides assistance for families wishing to become homeowners through traditional avenues. ~ Community Development: Provides human resources & the technical assistance necessary for small towns to develop adequate water delivery & wastewater disposal systems. ~ Housing Rehabilitation: SHE operates a rehabilitation program to preserve & improve the existing stock of housing.