Spring 2018: Volume 9, Issue 1
BGCBRIEF GREAT FUTURES START HERE!
Club member Lourdes and her father presented her original painting to Former First Lady Laura Bush at the fundraiser on February 27, 2018.
PROGRAMS Nutrition Program
661-325-3730
GRANTS
Program funding highlights
EVENTS
An Evening with Laura Bush
www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org
Our Board’s Perspective as their advocate. Not only am I able to do this in an official capacity during Board meetings, committee meetings and general brainstorming sessions, but in an unofficial capacity as well as a donor and volunteer. The ability to serve the children of Kern County has brought me a sense of purpose and fulfillment that I wasn’t expecting when I accepted the Board position.
“I had no idea.” Having been involved with the Club now for several years, this is a remark that I’ve heard time and time again from those new to the organization. And to be perfectly honest, those were the exact words out of my mouth after my first Club-related discussion with then Board President Jason Cohen; “Wow… I had no idea!” I had no idea that the Club served nearly 8,000 children every single day. I had no idea that the Club offered a multitude of programs, ranging from Nutrition programs and healthy meals for the children of our community to homework help, from STEM labs to Art classes and Performing Arts programs, from Music and recording to Sports programs, and on and on. I also had no idea that the Boys & Girls Club of Kern County was one of the largest Boys & Girls Clubs organizations in the Country. However, the biggest surprise to me was how profoundly the Club would impact my life. I truly had no idea. As a Board member, Vice President and now as President of the Board of Directors, I have the distinct honor of serving the children of our community
Maybe it’s because of the sheer scope of the program and the number of children it impacts daily. Perhaps it was seeing an 11-year old “Club Kid” on stage in front of 500+ people singing the National Anthem flawlessly (and bringing a tear to my eye, allegedly). It could be the dozens of stories I’ve heard wherein the Club has provided a place for a child from an incredibly bad home situation to blossom into a successful, kind adult and exemplary parent. Or maybe it’s the commitment and whole-hearted energy I see from the employees of the Club, who work tirelessly each day to ensure that we are fulfilling our Mission “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” Any of those are reason enough to make a commitment to serve on the Board, but collectively, these reasons (and a whole lot more) have turned into my decision to support this organization for the rest of my life. I invite anyone looking to get involved with the Club, whether it be as a volunteer, employee, board member or a financial supporter at any level, to personally get in touch with me. I would be happy to share my experiences with you, arrange a site visit, or just connect you with the Club in whatever way you’d like. If you’re wondering just how much the Club really needs you, you have no idea… Matt Damian President of the Board
Board of Directors Matt Damian: President of the Board Mission Bank Vanessa Emo, Past President of the Board Doubletree by Hilton Bakersfield Gloria Williams, Secretary California Resources Corporation Kristin Monsibais, Vice President/Treasurer Williams Adams & Company Adam Alvidrez Chevron Alex Balfour Cushman and Wakefield/Pacific Commercial Realty Advisors Shane Bryan Trovato Wealth Management Theresa Bush Aera Energy LLC Jason Cohen UBS Financial Services, Inc. Rob Duchow Southern California Gas Company Julie Ford Uhura Homes LLC Michael George Kern Schools Federal Credit Union Rasmus Jensen Bank of the Sierra Larry Koman Koman Homes Allan Krauter Community Volunteer Robin Lard San Bernardino County Jonathan Mueller ServiceMaster at Bakersfield Mikin Plummer Kern County Builders’ Exchange Emily Salters Panama Buena Vista Unified School District Zane Smith Executive Director
Invest in Great Futures Our Guys & Gals group recently toured three Boys & Girls Club sites for the opportunity to see our Club kids in action. Transportation was provided by Phil Rudnick, owner of Airport Valet Express. The first stop was our Suburu School site, where the group was welcomed by Kathleen Candera, Program Director. The Club kids were thrilled to show off their classrooms and projects. Our Stockdale Club was the next stop. We were greeted by Erlinda Martinez, Program Director. Guys & Gals got a tour of the facility and were able to observe all the eagerness the kids have for the afternoon programs. We boarded the bus and continued to our Lamont Club, where we were greeted by Cinthia Servellon, and Margie
and Becky Madera. The Club kids were so excited to have visitors and promptly shared stories of their Club experiences. We then saw the newly remodeled Teen room. A big thank you to IKEA for taking on that project. Guys & Gals loved the diversity between the Club locations, but realized the common link between each Club is a staff that embraces and mentors our kids. A big thank you to “Kaptain Kindness� AKA Phil Rudnick, for sharing all his kindness with our Club kids and hosting the refreshment portion of our tour. For information on how you can become a member of Guys & Gals Supporting Boys & Girls call Linda Sullenger at 661-325-3730 Ext. 240 or lsullenger@bgclubsofkerncounty.org
www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org | BGCBRIEF
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COMMUNITY
GRANTS
December 2017 to February 2018
Sea Research Foundation -- $19,425 to provide small group STEM Mentoring in weekly, structured, handson, multimedia STEM activities at the Boys & Girls Club. The overall goal of STEM Mentoring is to positively impact the social development and academic achievement of at-risk and high-risk youth ages 6–10.
BNSF -- $2,500 to underwrite the Keystone Leadership Program for teens. This unique program provides leadership development opportunities for youth to partici-
Wells Fargo -- $10,000 to support after school programming
pate in activities, both in and out of the Club, in three focus areas: aca-
at the Boys & Girls Club - Armstrong Youth Center. Programs and activi- demic success, career preparation ties will include homework assistance plus classes in STEM, fine art, and community service. dance, drama, and health & fitness.
Chevron -- $25,000 to Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Prevention -- $45,000 to underwrite provide program and operational the Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Mentoring Program at three Club sites: Armstrong Youth Center, Lamont Club and Jefferson Elementary School.
support for underprivileged children (ages 5 years to 17 years) to attend the Boys & Girls Club
– Armstrong Youth Center in East
Target -- $4,000 to expand our soccer programming and serve at
Bakersfield and participate in our
least 100 at-risk and disadvantaged Club members with Target’s support.
enrichment and education pro-
five-day per week after-school gram from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
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BGCBRIEF | www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org
whereas normally they would not have the means to do so..
Nutrition Program Fills Hunger Gap Lines of children and parents with strollers often wrap around our buildings in anticipation of a delicious and nutritious supper. Though not always visible, child hunger remains a significant problem in Kern County. Approximately 1 in 4 children In Kern County in 2014 lived in “food insecure” households with uncertain or inadequate access to food according to the “Map the Meal Gap” report by Feeding America. In January of 2015, because of this need, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County transformed the traditional meal program from a donated snack (often cookies or chips) after school to an FDA approved “supper” as part of the Children and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) at three Club sites and three school sites and began serving about 8,400 meals per month. To better meet the needs of children during the summer months when school is out, the Boys & Girls Club expanded the BGCKC Nutrition Program to provide breakfast and lunch with snacks for the children under the age of 18 at four Club sites as part of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). “The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County In February 2018 met a program milestone by providing over 25,000 meals and snacks to children in Arvin, Bakersfield and Lamont which is a long way from 8,400 meals in 2015,” reported Barry Hill, Associate
Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County. “We know that food insecurity continues to be a major issue in our community and we are working on ways to serve more children with more nutritious meals.” The Nutrition Program prepares the meals and snacks at the Boys & Girls Club – E.L. Jack and Monica Armstrong Youth Center and transports the meals daily to various Club sites, parks and youth serving programs through two vans provided by funds from North Rotary and the Raskind Foundation. Many organizations have provided funding or equipment for the program since its inception including Chevron, Children’s Advocates Resource Endowment (C.A.R.E.), Junior League of Bakersfield, and Lake Family Foundation. Next on the horizon is transforming a storage room at the E.L. Jack and Monica Armstrong Youth Center into a state of the art commercial kitchen specially equipped to meet the ever growing hunger gap in our community. For more information on the Nutrition Program or for ways you can help, please contact Maggie Cushine, Resource Development Director at 661-325-3730 ext. 239 or mcushine@bgclubsofkerncounty.org.
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THANK YOU!
For an Evening with Laura Bush SUPPORTING THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF KERN COUNTY
TOGETHER WE RAISED $400,000! The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County is deeply moved by your support and generosity. Thank you for believing in us and our mission to build Great Futures for our youth in Kern County.
An Evening with Laura Bush Ira Cohen, Laura Bush & Carole Cohen
Monsignor Craig & Laura Bush
Alex Balfour-Shane Bryan
Edith Bianco, Laura Bush & Cookie Bianco
Alex Balfour & Shane Bryan
Sheri Horn-Bunk & Gary Bunk
Robin Mangarin-Scott, Laura Bush & Cassie Wright
Pam Rose, Senator Jean Fuller & Patrice Black
Pamela Giumarra & Laura Bush
Gloria Williams & Laura Bush
Michelle Williams, Barbara Williams, Laura Bush & Al Williams
Michael Olague, Laura Bush & Christine Olague
Monica Franetovich, Javier Reyes Elizabeth Peters, Laura Bush & Jr., Darrell Fiel, Carol Fiel, Mary Brad Peters www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org Bynum, Greg Bynum & Don Bynum
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The BGCKC Summer Jobs Program is in Full Swing
Building on the success of the Summer Jobs Program last year which trained over 300 teens and put 55 youth to work during the summer, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County started providing workforce development training in early March (which will go through the middle of May) to local teens at two Club sites. “The teens will be learning everything from how to build resumes and interviewing techniques to setting goals and improving their communication skills during the 10-week program,” said Natalie Martinez, Summer Jobs Program Coordinator and Area Program Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County. “We are excited to announce an emphasis on STEM related summer intern positions for the 2018 program including professional development days focused on STEM career opportunities.”
Employers Needed
Teens that complete the program will have the opportunity to apply for a paid six-week intern opportunity this summer. Employment opportunities will be provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County, PG&E, local nonprofit organizations, and local small to medium sized businesses.
Please call Natalie at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County (661-325-3730 ext 222).
Bakersfield job sites are needed and you are invited to join with other businesses in mentoring a Summer Jobs Program teen or two this summer for the sixweek paid internship (20 hours per week) Monday to Thursday from June 11, 2018 through July 20, 2018. Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County through the partnership with PG&E covers ALL job related costs including: salary, worker compensation insurance, payroll processing and taxes. In addition to their earnings, each young person – many from underserved households – receive work attire, funds and assistance to open a bank account, bus passes for transportation, and weekly opportunities for professional development.
Since the inception of the Summer Jobs Program in 2013, nearly 1,500 local teens have received work force training skills and 278 teens have received a paid summer job internship. This is the sixth year the Summer Jobs Program is bringing the benefits of job training to youth and businesses in
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It Takes A Caring Community
Donations: December 2017 through February 2018 CASH GIFTS Valerie Adams Adventist Health Bakersfield Aera Energy LLC Justin and April Ahart Dan Alexander William and Suzanne Alexander Melissa Alsop Adam and Tiffani Alvidrez Nick Ambrosini Paul Andre Michael Andress AJ and Suzie Antongiovanni Robert and Nancy Arias Darrell and Susan Atkinson Ariel and Abby Auffant Bakersfield Bacon and Craft Beer Festival Bakersfield Target Northeast Jack and Sharon Balfanz Alex M. Balfour Jeremy and Christy Banducci Bank of the Sierra Patricia Barber Aaron Barbie Larry and Kay Bardin Robert and Leslie Barnes Scott and Jennifer Barnett William and Sarah Bartling Kristin Beale Virgie Beard Christopher and Ashley Beaver Ben H. & Gladys Arkelian Foundation Christopher and Michele Benham Steve and Catherine Berchtold Cookie and Edith Bianco The Bidart Family Foundation Bill Wright Toyota Matt Billings Robbie Bishop Jim and Patrice Black Kenny and Deanna Blaise Sara Booker Andrew Borman Artha and Piyali Bose Cody Bowling Robin Brassfield-Cooper Keith and Betsy Brice James and Diane Briley Darren Brown
Debbie Brown Jean Browning Shane and Alyssa Bryan Buffalo Wild Wings Kyle and Jill Buntley Ron and Kris Burcham Bob and Patti Burdette Brian Burt Kevin and Christa Burton Theresa Bush Buttonwillow Warehouse Co. David and Megan Bynum Don Bynum Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, Inc. The California Endownment California Food Policy Advocates California Resources Corporation Jim and Beverly Camp Alan Campbell Cantelmi Engineering Guy Caputo Marc and Shannon Caputo Wendy Carbajal Andy Carrasco Rudy and Anne Carvajal Luis Castro Steve and Cindy Castro Arnold and Sylvia Cattani Phillip Cerro Tim and Carrie Champness Judith Chase Henry Chatman Renee Cheney Virginia Cheney Mike and Dona Chertok Chevron USA Joann Christensen Johnnie and Geraldine Clanton Doug and Janet Clary Margaret Clay Ira and Carole Cohen Jason Cohen Colombo Construction CommWorld of Kern County Inc. Comprehensive Care Systems Regino and Nancy Contreras Dr. Donald and Edna Cornforth The Corotto Company Crimson Renewable Energy, LP Ryan Crowley D & I Farms Inc. Matt Damian
David R. Doig Insurance Agency Inc Emily De Leon Ben Albert Deaton Wayne and Lynn Deats Don and Sue Deininger William and Sandra Descary Dignity Health Michael and Regina Doiron Antonio Dominges Don C. and Diane S. Lake Family David and Pamela Dougherty Rob and Emily Duchow David Eastman and Sharlet Briggs Steve Eckerson William R. Edmonds Margaret Edmonston Aimee Edwards Shirley Eide Frank and Doris Elliott Leon and Katie Elwell Maria E. Esparza Mark and Rebecca Evans Charlie and Charlotte Fanucchi Ron Fanucchi Lee Fanyo Milan and Sadie Farzan Tom Feher Darrell and Carol Feil Robin Fleming Joseph and Becky Frank Frazier Mountain Real Estate Sheldon and Beth Freedman Troy and Jodi Fringer FRP Services & Co. (America) Inc. Colby Fry Jean Fuller Robert and Helen Gales Cathleen Gandara Garden View, LLC Michael Martin George GET bus Pamela Giumarra Sal and Cynthia Giumarra Andrae Gonzalez Gregory D. Bynum & Associates, Inc. Gloria Griego Grimmway Farms Katherine Grishaber Rick and Shannon Grove Fran Gunner Scott Guseman Margarito and Sylvia Guzman
Continued on Page 10
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December 2017 through February 2018 Continued from Page 9 Angelo and Nancy Haddad Jill Haley Robert and Jerry Haner Candice Harris Mandy Harris Harry and Ethel West Foundation Michael and Deborah Gilbert Fernando and Susana Granizo Larry and Kim Hanewinckel Lee Hart Tyler and Michele Hartley David and Meghan Hauptman Dan and Mikie Hay Health Net of California Jay Hershey Mary Hill Mike and Debbie Hill Scott and Jennifer Hoffman Jeffrey and Michelle Huckaby Lorenza Hughes Rick Hunt Iberdrola Renewables, LLC Nicholas L. Jacobs Thomas and Terri Jamieson Tina Javid Bruce and Linda Jay Susan Jennings Jennifer Jensen Rasmus Jensen Marshall Johnson Russell and Susanne Johnson Duane and Erin Johnston Rick and Cindy Jones JustGive Duane and Corey Keathley Kris Kelly Felicia Kent Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Kern Health Systems Kern Schools Federal Credit Union Douglas and Sallye Kessler Kevin McCarthy for Congress Cori Kitchen Jim and Dianna Knapp Nicole S. Knauer Anita D. Knight Karl and Jana Kolthoff Larry Koman Mike Kovacevich Allan Krauter and Anna Agenjo The Kroger Foundation James and Barbara Kurfess Christopher Kutensky Lake Family Foundation John and Ingrid Lake Law Offices of Timothy Lemucchi Michael Lazzerini William K. Lazzerini, Jr. Robert and Donna Ledet Kaye Lefebvre
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Sharon Leff Gregory and Rhonda Lee Jeff and Connie Lewis John Lindsay Maley Llerenas Lori Long Lisa Longs Miguel and Megan Lopez Silvana G Lopez Andrew Lopez-Landeros LOVEthirteen Scott Lyday Majors Service Company John and Lynnda Martin Erlinda Martinez Staci N Martinez Traco Matthews and Jessica Grimes Gary and Jan Maxwell Tom and Carolyn Maxwell Kevin and Judy McCarthy Debra McCartney Kathy McDermott Tom and Lisa McIntosh Billie Jo Medders Brian and Valerie Mendiburu Tom and Diana Mestmaker Jeremy and Susan Mikecz Mission Bank Chris and Jovan Molina Alex and Kristin Monsibais John and Christine Moore Michael and Georgia Moore John and Virginia Moorhouse Stefany Moreno Jonathan and Mary Anne Mueller National Fuel Gas Company Foundation Alex Neal Kayla Nelson Ray and Lisa Nemetz James and Kathleen Nickel David and Alison Norris Shem and Laura Oesch Cheryl Ohanneson Ordiz-Melby Architects, Inc. Albert and Gina Pacini Pat and Robin Paggi Jacob and Nicole Panero Jonathan and Kathy Parker Julien Parsons Orkhan H Pashayev Eric and Laurie Paulson Pelletier Foundation Douglas Pestrak Brad and Elizabeth Peters Brent Peterson William and Jean Phillimore Mike and Elizabeth Philpott Lanette Phillips-Watson Kyle and Mikin Plummer Patty Poire
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Mike and Wendy Porter Precision Filter Products LLC Bernard Puget R and M Fuel Transport Inc R.F. Dennis and F.M. Dennis Rabobank NA Maria Ramirez Carol Raupp Kyle and Lila Ray Marjorie Reese Larry and Sandy Reider William and Barbara Reifel Reiter Scientific Consulting LLC Stephen and Janice Renock Rick and Dianne Riley Steve Roach Robin’s Envirovac Jose Romo Vanessa Ruiz Ben B Salumu Yolanda Samano-Schroeder San Joaquin Refining Co., Inc. William Sandrini Joe and Sally Santa Cruz Terry and Nina Schroepfer Jim and Robin Scott Zack and Christina Scrivner Seaco Technologies, Inc. Sandra Severy Marcia Shafer Mary K. Shell Datvan Sheram Jeff and Dottie Sherley Joel and Carolyn Sherman Harry and Stephanie Simpson John and Christina Sistrunk Skarphol Associates Michael Sloan Justin Smith Mark and Tammy Smith Steve Smith Zane and Amy Smith Bart Sokolow Cecilia Solis Southern California Gas Company Marty and Brandy Starr State of California Steve Holloway Painting Gary and Evelyn Stevens David Stiles Stockdale Moose Lodge Sullivan Petroleum Co., LLC Sunbelt Business Brokers Dave and Zarina Szeflin Taft College Foundation Target Central Target Northwest Target West Tony Tartaglia James and Laura Tasker Tel-Tec Security Systems, Inc.
December 2017 through February 2018 Continued from Page 10 Temblor Brewing Company William and Sharon Thomas Janette L. Titus Townsend Design Mary Trichell UBS/Financial Services David Ungar United Way California Capital Region United Way of Kern County United Way, Inc. Jon and Phillis Van Boening Varner Bros., Inc. Mary S. Vasinda Felix Vasquez and Robin Drago de Vasquez Robert Visconti W.A. Thompson, Inc. Alan and Cindy Wade Josh and Susan Wall Walter Mortensen Insurance - INSURICA Walters & Associates Don and Connie Wattenbarger Charles Weiss Kathleen Joy Wheeler Patricia White William and Florence Wheeler Foundation Williams Adams & Company CPAs Al and Michelle Williams Gloria Williams Rick and Jena Williams Sam Williams Doug and Denise Winston Bill and Laura Wolfe
The Women’s and Girls’ Fund Wonderful Giving Wonderful Orchards Wonderful Real Estate Development Quinn Woodard Cassandra Wright Rob and Grace Yraceburu Zenith Insurance
TRIBUTE GIFTS In Honor of Dr. William Baker, Jr. and Sharon Baker: Patrick Daley and Jean Palmer In Honor of EG and Frankie Berchtold: Berchtold Brothers, LLC In Honor of George Clark: Lucy Clark In Honor of Ned Greenwood and Family: Thomas and Judy Tupper In Honor of Larry Koman: Kenneth and Penny Holland In Honor of Paul Skarphol: Cathie Joughin In Memory of John Etcheverry: George and Cindy Meek
In Memory of Bonnie Fitzgerald: Thomas and Judy Tupper Donald Fitzgerald In Memory of Gary D. Foster: Annie Foster In Memory of Bob Painter: Rosie Painter
IN-KIND GIFTS Alma Rosa Winery Doris Aparicio Bolles Nursery Caymus Vineyards CommWorld of Kern County Inc. Conundrum CSUB Athletics Dewar’s Candy Shop Arno du Toit Golden Empire Transit District Dan and Mikie Hay Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Mr. Tuxedo Old Navy Mike and Wendy Porter Vivienne Rose Solis Temblor Brewing Company T-Mobile Wood-Dale Market
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