Meet our Bank of America Student Leader | |
Introducing, our talented intern, Lauren Li! Lauren was selected from hundreds of applicants to participate in the Bank of America Student Leaders Program. This program provides students with an eight week paid summer internship at a local nonprofit, allowing them to gain insights into nonprofit operations and develop essential workforce skills.
Lauren has spent the summer working with the KCF team on a multitude of projects. Lauren assisted during dozens of the summer advisory meetings with our scholarship recipients and learned about financial planning along the way. She conducted research for the foundation regarding public policies that may affect the nonprofit sector. She joined in on countless social media and marketing projects. Notably, she designed some of the posts you will be seeing on social media in the coming weeks and contributed design work to the Kern Futures 2023 brochure. Lauren also helped us prepare for Give Big Kern 2024 by conducting an analysis of the organizations that have participated in the giving day in the past.
We believe in the importance of empowering young individuals and supporting community growth through programs like these. Thank you BofA!
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United Way's 32nd Professional Development Conference
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United Way recently hosted its 32nd Professional Development Conference, an event dedicated to fostering professional growth and community engagement. This year's conference centered on the theme "United in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion."
The conference workshops were curated to equip attendees with essential skills needed to create a lasting positive impact in the communities they serve. The speakers shared personal experiences in their respective fields and addressed the pressing issues faced by their communities. Additionally, the event featured plenty of community-based organization booths, offering a wide array of resources to further support the mission of United Way and its attendees. These booths played a vital role in enhancing the learning experience.
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The Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act | |
The 33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was celebrated this month and recognized for its impact. This landmark legislation continues to break down barriers and promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities in various aspects of life.
To celebrate this milestone and further advance the cause of disability rights, Independent Living Center of Kern County hosted the annual ADA Conference. The ADA Conference brought together stakeholders, advocates, policymakers, and individuals with disabilities to discuss progress and encourage self-advocacy. The conference featured inspiring speakers who emphasized the importance of collaboration, personal growth, and collective efforts to build a more accessible and compassionate society.
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KRV Bridge Connection Resource Fair | |
The vibrant community of Kern River Valley gathered for the highly anticipated KRV Bridge Connection Resource Fair in late July. Kern Community Foundation hosted a booth, made connections, and showcased the resources we offer the community. We spent time talking about KCF's mission and the different programs we have to support the community's unique needs.
One of the highlights of the day was connecting with members of the Kern River Valley community directly. While participating in the KRV Bridge Connection Resource Fair, we reaffirmed our commitment to being a reliable partner in the community's growth and progress. We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve in the Kern River Valley.
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Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP) | |
Kern Connected Community Network | |
Since last quarter, KCCN has added 13 new network partners totaling the number of active partners to 157 with 229 open programs. The active partners provide a variety of service types, such as individual and family support, education, food assistance and more. In June, KCCN also hosted it’s first in-person Partner Spotlight where First Presbyterian Church, Kern Regional Transit, and Keepers Transformation House presented on the programs they offer through Unite Us. The next Partner Spotlight will be held on August 24, 2023, at 11 AM. In July, KCCN will be participating in the KRV Bridge Connection Resource Fair. For more information on KCCN, please contact Teems Tulfo at Fatima@kernfoundation.org.
Coming up on Thursday, July 28, will be the Community Advisory Group (CAG) Meeting from 9 - 10 AM. The CAG meeting will review Quarter 2 Data and the latest updates. For more information on KCCN (Click Here). If you would like to get connected to community resources (Click Here).
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Kern Community Foundation receives over 2,000 scholarship applications each year. Since 2016, we have granted over $3 million in scholarships to 846 students. This year we have awarded over $300,000 in new scholarships and renewal scholarships. | |
Yvette Rodriguez is one of our 2023 scholarship recipients. She graduated from Arvin High School with a 3.91 GPA this June. She will be attending CSUB in the Fall. Her major is Business Administration with a concentration in Agricultural Business. She received the Stenderup AG Partners Scholarship and came into the office to drop off a thank you letter when she saw her picture on the scholarship wall. Proudly, she asked us to take a picture of her with the scholarship wall to show her family. Thank you for sharing the picture, Yvette! Best of luck this semester! | |
Upper Kern Fisheries Enhancement Fund | |
The Upper Kern Fisheries Enhancement Fund was established as part of an agreement for fisheries mitigation during the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) re-licensing of the Kern River Number 3 Hydroelectric Plant (KR3), which is located on the Upper Kern River near Kernville. It was established with an initial contribution of $2.5 million by Southern California Edison (SCE) and has grown to nearly $3.5 million while distributing close to $1.7 million in grants benefiting the Upper Kern River Basin.
The period to apply for the Fall 2023 Grant will open on July 14. The Upper Kern Fisheries Enhancement Fund Committee (“Committee”) meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Meetings are open to the public and are usually held virtually via Zoom and telephone. Anyone interested in attending may contact fatima@kernfoundation.org. Projects approved for funding by the Committee are submitted to the Board of Directors of Kern Community Foundation for final approval. You can access the grant application through Kern Community Foundation’s Online Grants Platform.
Application Window: July 14 - August 29
For more information or assistance, please contact Teems Tulfo at 661.616.2603 or write to Fatima@kernfoundation.org.
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emPOWERment Dess Perkins Foundation | |
In less than a year of its inception, EmPOWERment Dess Perkins Foundation has emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience, transforming the lives of human trafficking survivors and at-risk youth. Founded by Odessa "Dess" Perkins, a true warrior who has risen above her traumatic past, EmPOWERment is on a mission to give survivors the life they never knew they deserved.
Dess Perkins is a mother, grandmother, educator, counselor at Ridgeview High, mentor to at-risk youth, published author of Warrior, and sex trafficking survivor. Sold by her own mother at the age of 13, Odessa's painful journey from victim to survivor is her driving force for change.
At the heart of EmPOWERment's mission is the unwavering commitment to restoring hope and healing to those who have been marginalized, victimized, and silenced. Perkins dedicates her time to support survivors, reminding them of their inherent worthiness and assuring them that they are not alone. Through various initiatives, she has hosted events like trips to the beach and amusement parks, enabling survivors to experience life beyond their traumatic past and to remind them they are still humans.
One significant milestone in EmPOWERment's journey was when the California State Assembly Public Safety Committee passed SB14, a legislation aimed at strengthening protections for the millions of victims of sex and labor trafficking. Perkins, along with Senator Shannon Grove and the Kern County District Attorney's Office, tirelessly advocated for the bill. Despite facing challenges, political concerns, and being shot down once, their collective efforts prevailed. Public figures including Elon Musk and Governor Gavin Newsom rallied behind the cause, showcasing widespread support for the bill. The passing of SB14 by the Public Safety Committee marks a triumph for survivors and a step forward in the fight against sex trafficking. The next two hurdles will be for SB14 to get passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Floor before it goes to the governor's desk.
EmPOWERment's vision extends far beyond legislative victories. The organization is committed to creating a platform for survivors to reclaim their identities, heal from trauma, and build a positive future. Perkins says, “I want to tell kids what they are, before the world tells them what they aren’t.” Through programs like dress for success, employment readiness workshops, and enrichment sessions, EmPOWERment equips survivors with the tools they need to navigate life's challenges and pursue their dreams. EmPOWERment’s next goal is to provide educational opportunities by way of scholarships in the near future.
EmPOWERment Dess Perkins Foundation: The Grateful Gala will be hosted on September 15, 2023. This gala promises to be a celebration of resilience. It's a chance for supporters to come together, stand in solidarity with survivors, and contribute to the continued growth and success of EmPOWERment. To buy tickets, click here.
For more information about emPOWERment Dess Perkins Foundation, please visit https://empowermentdp.org/.
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NEW REGISTERED NONPROFITS | |
Community members, did you know Kern Community Foundation has a Community Calendar? To make it easier for you to stay in the loop, KCF created a Community Calendar that lists all upcoming nonprofit events, including workshops, galas, and marathons, as well as volunteer opportunities. Check out the upcoming events (Click Here).
Nonprofits registered with Kern Community Foundation, did you know you can share your events? If you have an event you would like to post on our community calendar and social media, please send the information to Teems at Fatima@kernfoundation.org.
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