A message to the community from our

President and CEO

Friends,

As we (hopefully) escape the heat of summer, we can't help but acknowledge the scorching July heat across Kern County. But don’t sweat, as our August newsletter is here to bring you a refreshing breeze of exciting updates and stories!

A toasty shout-out to Bank of America for their invaluable support in fostering young talent. I raise my ice-cold Arnold Palmer to BofA Student Leader intern, Lauren Li, for her dedication and hard work. She brought the heat as our intern, and I’m excited to see what her future holds.

Speaking of shaping futures, I’m thrilled to celebrate the hot start of the Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program. The first cohort of year-long fellows finishes transformative journey this August. Want to follow these trailblazers? Apply now for next year’s Fellowship.

Stay tuned as we share more sizzling stories, community highlights, and upcoming events.

Stay cool,

Aaron Falk

President & CEO

LATEST NEWS

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!

United Way's 32nd Professional Development Conference

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.

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.

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.

Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP)

July was action-packed for BYJP. The team welcomed its newest member Drashara Martin-Dennis. Dra was most recently one of the Fellows in the City Hall Fellowship. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central State University and is currently attending the University of Phoenix, pursuing a Masters of Science in Counseling/Marriage and Child Therapy. We are excited to welcome her to our team!

BYJP was invited to host a professionalism workshop at the Kevin McCarthy for Congress campaign office. The workshop covered essential skills such as email etiquette, professional dress codes, resume tips, and interview preparation.

The Parks Mobile Recreation Interns organized engaging weekend pop-up events, bringing joy to our local parks. City Hall Summer Interns and Parks Mobile Recreation Interns were inspired by Assemblyman Vince Fong, who shared his personal journey and insights on building a career in government. Our interns also visited the Brundage Lane Navigation Center and learned about community resources and the City's efforts to alleviate homelessness. They also enjoyed a Recreation and Parks Activity Day at City Hall. The fellows participated in a mock interview workshop at Cal State Bakersfield where we invited community members, from organizations the fellows expressed interest in working for, to be panelists. The fellows were able to build professional connections and ask meaningful questions to fine-tune their interview skills for future opportunities. Meanwhile, our nonprofit internship grew throughout the month of July as we had three orientations to onboard new hires for the program. We look forward to seeing all the great work they'll do in the community.

More exciting news, the Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program is accepting applications and resumes for the 2023-2024 City Hall Fellowship. The City Hall Fellowship Program is an 11-month, paid fellowship where youth will work part-time with City departments on important projects and initiatives. As a pipeline to a career in public service, youth ages 18 to 30 will shadow an employee at participating departments and gain valuable experience in public service. The application is available online and will close on August 18th. To view the City Hall Fellowship application (Click Here).

Additionally, we continue to actively engage with more nonprofits that have expressed their interest, further broadening the scope of opportunities available to our youth. To learn more about BYJP (Click Here).

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).

DID YOU KNOW?

Scholarship Wins

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.

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

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/.

NEW REGISTERED NONPROFITS

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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.