Summer 2019: Volume 10, Issue 2 GREAT FUTURES START HERE!
BGCBRIEF 661-325-3730
www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org
Get to know Member and Boys & Girls Club alumni, Michael “Mickey” Cushine and Our club 66 members ON PAGEs 10 & 11.
Our Board’s Perspective will never encounter. There are art classes, cooking classes, dance, an outside garden, sports, and games. The Club even serves breakfast, lunch and snack, at no cost to the child’s family. This is especially helpful over the summer to kids who depend on school-provided meals. Over 7,500 kids walk through the doors of one of the 59 local Boys & Girls Club sites each day after school. That is an incredible number of lives influenced each year. The other amazing thing I have learned is the generosity of the Kern County community. The staff, volunteers and donors that make this all possible are simply incredible.
When I became a board member in 2013, it quickly became apparent that I had no idea what the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County was all about. I had thought of it as a place where kids could go to meet friends, play sports, and get help on their homework. Well, it is all of that, plus a whole lot more. It is now six years later, and I am still in awe when I talk to the Club staff, attend board meetings and see social media updates about how the Boys & Girls Club kids are positively impacted on a daily basis. At a recent board meeting, Zane Smith, the Executive Director, told a story in which a gentleman, who had attended the Club in his youth, stopped Zane at a gas station to let him know how much of a positive influence the Club had on his life. Now that I have spent time learning what the Club does, this story is not surprising.
The community members who help fund this organization deserve more awards and recognition than they will ever receive. While the Boys & Girls Club kids don’t understand what goes in to making this happen on a daily basis, in the future they will know, understand and appreciate the generosity that was required to make a positive impact on their lives. If you have not had a chance to see your local Clubs in action, I would highly recommend doing so. Call the Club (661325-3730) and request a tour. You will be amazed by the gymnasium, sports facility, brand new kitchen, and overall atmosphere of your local Clubs. There is also a unique opportunity to give back, called Club 66. Your local Boys & Girls Clubs were founded in 1966, hence the name. We are looking for 66 members to give $66 every month, thus raise over $52,000 annually of unrestricted money that can be used to serve more kids and keep these great programs going. I recommend getting involved in Club 66 because I’ve witnessed personally the lasting impact the Club can have on a child.
The Club has kids from all walks of life come through its front doors each and every day. And one of the great things about the Club is that while the kids are there, they get to put aside their worries Kristin Monsibais and focus on what makes them happy. They get to be kids in a world where they BGCKC Board Member may be dealing with struggles most of us Williams Adams & Company
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Board of Directors
Matt Damian, President of the Board Tri Counties Bank Gloria Williams, Secretary California Resources Corporation Kristin Monsibais, Vice President/Treasurer Williams Adams & Company 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 Michael George Kern Schools Federal Credit Union Rasmus Jensen Community Volunteer Larry Koman Koman Homes Allan Krauter Community Volunteer Jonathan Mueller ServiceMaster at Bakersfield Mikin Plummer Kern County Builders’ Exchange Emily Salters California State University, Bakersfield Zane Smith Executive Director
COMMUNITY
GRANTS
February 1, 2019 to May 31, 2019
Arts Council of Kern - $1,500 -- to provide
Rotary Club of Bakersfield West - $5,000
costumes for 25 to 35 cast members (Club members) as well as the props and backdrops for the summer production of “Aladdin Jr.” at the Armstrong Youth Center.
-- to underwrite the participation of underserved and economically disadvantaged children and youth in the summer enrichment and education program (Summer Day Camp) at the Armstrong Youth Center.
Bank of America - $20,000 -- to strengthen the Club’s workforce development programming at the Armstrong Youth Center and provide a life-changing summer job to five Club teens.
Chevron - $35,000 -- to support STEM activities, including MyFuture (Coding and Digital Literacy) at the Armstrong Youth Center, for children ages 5 to 18 years.
Dollar General Literacy Foundation $1,500 -- $5,000 “KidCents” grant to improve the lives of kids in the community through their participation in the Boys & Girls Club.
The Virginia and Alfred Harrell Foundation - $20,000 -- to underwrite the participation of underserved and economically disadvantaged children and youth in the Summer Day Camp at the Armstrong Youth Center.
Wells Fargo - $10,000 -- to support after-school programming at the Armstrong Youth Center. Programs and activities include homework assistance plus STEM, fine art, dance, drama, and healthy lifestyles.
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An Evening with Sugar Ray Leonard and Greg Gumbel
Brandon & Beatris Sanders
Christina & John Sistrunk
Cindy & Mark Pollard
Gloria Williams
Ira & Carole Cohen
Jason Cohen & Heather Frank
Justin and Emily Salters
Keith Stonebreaker & Renee Goodwin
Ken Keller & Amanda Frank
Paul Skarphol, Dena & Tim Cota, Shirley & Roman Cyrus
Brandy & Marty Starr
Rupinder Jhaj, Raji & Babu Brar
Theresa & Charlie Bush
Zane & Amy Smith
Click Here To View More Photos!
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It Takes A Caring Community
Donations: February 2019 through May 2019
CORPORATE/ORGANIZATION/ FOUNDATION GIFTS
Active 20-30 Club of Bakersfield Adventist Health Bakersfield Aera Energy LLC AltaOne Federal Credit Union Arts Council of Kern Bakersfield Art Foundation Bakersfield East Rotary Foundation Bakersfield North Rotary Foundation Batey Family Charitable Trust Ben H. & Gladys Arkelian Foundation Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, Inc. California Water Service Company Chevron Matching Gift Program Chevron USA Costco Wholesale Corporation Craig & Susan Bonna Charitable Fund Cruzin 4 Charity Dignity Health Dollar General Literacy Foundation Friends of Calwa INC. Girl Scouts of Central Cal South- Frazier H&R Block Harry and Ethel West Foundation Johnson Controls Kern Community Foundation Kern Family Health Systems KERO-TV 23 LeBeau, Thelen, LLP Mission Bank National Fuel Gas Company Foundation Nickel Family LLC Olague Family Trust Charitable Gift Fund PG&E Corp Foundation Matching Gifts Rite Aid Foundation Schwab Charitable Sea Research Foundation Skarphol Associates Tasteful Selections UBS Financial Services United Way, Inc. Virginia and Alfred Harrell Foundation W.A. Thompson, Inc. Wells Fargo Foundation Wells Fargo Philanthropy Fund Wonderful Real Estate Development Zenith Insurance
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INDIVIDUAL GIFTS
Justin and April Ahart Jimmie Ahl Ryan and Melissa Alsop Nick Ambrosini AJ and Suzie Antongiovanni Timothy Ashlock Ariel and Abby Auffant Laura Avila Ramiro Ayon Martinez Alex M. Balfour Larry and Kay Bardin Cesar Barrientos Adam Belter Catherine Bennett Steve and Catherine Berchtold Bruce Beretta and Melissa Fortune Leonard Bidard Aimee Blaine Sara Booker Mark and Andrea Boren Jlynn Bowen Raji Brar Robin Brassfield-Cooper Alec Breceda John and Ginette Brock Darren Brown Jean Browning Shane and Alyssa Bryan Gary and Sheri Bunk Theresa Bush Bill and Stacy Cargill Jon and Lynne Carrithers Jennifer Castro Luis Castro Angela Castruita Valerie Caudilo Henry Chatman Chuck Church Doug and Janet Clary Jason Cohen Epifania Contreras Ruben Contreras Meredith Cooke Marc Cooper Scott Corby Dena Cota Louie and Kathy Crettol Gary and Donna Cross Sophia Cummings Mickey Cushine
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Mike and Maggie Cushine Shirley Cyrus Jim and Kelly Damian Matt Damian Taisiri Damico Rusty Davis Veronica DeLeon Carla Derespiris Wendy DeVoy Omid Deylami Tony and Melissa Donez Robert and Emily Duchow Brian and Shelley Dunlap David Eastman and Sharlet Briggs Armand and Joanie Fitzgerald Greg and Heather Frank Joseph and Becky Frank Steven and Diane Fritz Anthony Galagaza Cathleen Gandara Phil and Sue Gaskill Michael Martin George Tim Gojich Renee Goodwin Deryk Gross Scott Guseman Robert and Jerry Haner Kenneth and Laura Haney Lee Hart Jerica Hawkins Matthew Hewett Barry and Eashell Hill Mary Hill Leo and Carolyn Hinds Madelyn Holtzclaw Josh Huff Susan Jennings Rasmus Jensen Marshall Johnson Russell and Susanne Johnson Ken Keller Felicia Kent Larry Koman Allan Krauter and Anna Agenjo Marianne Laxague Ben LeBeau Bernie and Lynn LeBeau Amanda Lindsay Lisa Longs Andrew Lopez-Landeros Chris Lowe
Continued on Page 9
It Takes A Caring Community
Donations: February 2019 through May 2019 Lyle Martin Andrew Martinez Erlinda Martinez Jessica Mathews Traco Matthews and Jessica Grimes Angelo and Mary Mazzei Jerry and Marlene McGuire Jessie Mendez Chris and Jovan Molina Alex and Kristin Monsibais Michael and Georgia Moore Stefany Moreno Jonathan and Mary Anne Mueller Beth Nahama Kurt and Luisa Neher Suzanne Noble Dave Noerr Shannan Ogilvie Dale Oprandy Pat and Robin Paggi Jacob and Nicole Panero Mark and Tonya Parham Tell Payne Lanette Phillips-Watson Kyle and Mikin Plummer Anindya Poddar Mark and Cindy Pollard Fred and Stephanie Prince Mike and Danette Rinehart Jose Romo Justin and Emily Salters Kate Salvesen Brandon and Beatris Sanders John R. Sanders Roani Sandoval Joe and Sally Santa Cruz Jim and Robin Scott Sheryce May Scott Joel and Carolyn Sherman Keith and Noel Shotts Sam Siador John and Christina Sistrunk Paul Skarphol Zane and Amy Smith Cecilia Solis Michael and Christina Springstead Gary and Evelyn Stevens Keith Stonebraker Jamie Swetalla Dave and Zarina Szeflin Ben Taft Kimberly Valentino
Steve Volkoff Josh and Susan Wall Alanna Watts Gloria Williams Caroline Wood Debbie Wood James Yako Rob and Grace Yraceburu
CORPORATE/ORGANIZATION/ FOUNDATION IN-KIND GIFTS
AEG Management Bakersfield, LLC E&B Natural Resources Jake’s Original Tex Mex Labor Finders Lapis Luna Wines Lengthwise Brewery Light Brigade Rabobank Arena Theater & Convention Center Skarphol Associates
INDIVIDUAL IN-KIND GIFTS Jim and Patrice Black George Culver Robert and Emily Duchow Mary Hill Steve and Tracy Parnell Paul Skarphol Gary Stanfil Joyce Trumbatore
TRIBUTE
In Memory of Albert McCook By: Herbert Bourgault In Honor of Calvin, Cameron, and Maya Black By: Enjoli Black In Honor of Dan Shanyfelt By: Rachel Turner
DID YOU KNOW? 7,200 Youth Are Served Daily in Kern County
DID YOU KNOW? We have 62 Boys & Girls Clubs Sites in Kern County!
www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org | BGCBRIEF
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Club 66 Legacy Members make a healthy impression on our Club kids.
Getting to Know Club 66 We sat down with staff member and Boys & Girls Club alumni, Michael “Mickey” Cushine, to discuss the importance of Club 66, and reflect on his own experiences at the Armstrong Youth Center.
How did you hear about Club 66? I’m subscribed to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County newsletter. When it came through, I noticed there was a link that said: “join today.” I thought, ‘what is this; I keep seeing it.’ I hadn’t heard about Club 66 before then, so I decided to take a closer look.
What’s your giving philosophy? I’ve always loved giving back because I’ve seen what the community is willing to give and I want to help contribute to the next generation so that they know it’s okay to help someone else. It’s not foreign; it is not weird; it’s okay because everyone needs help eventually.
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What made you decide to join Club 66? There are a lot of organizations out there that I could donate my time and money to, but I’ve seen the difference the Boys & Girls Club has made in the kids’ lives. I’ve felt that difference. There are numerous ways I could spend $66 a month, but for me, if I can commit and consciously set that aside, I know it’s going where it counts.
What’s the most exciting thing you’ve seen at the Boys & Girls Club? There have been so many changes since I was a Club member. There wasn’t a commercial kitchen, a Nutrition Education program, a STEM mentorship program, or the Kevin Harvick Foundation Park. When you walk into the Armstrong Youth Center today, you will see kids scaling the rock wall in the gym, learning to generate code and harvesting crops in the Learning Garden. I would never have thought the Club would have all of these amazing features, and it’s all because the community recognizes the impact that the Boys & Girls Club has on youth. Club 66 is more than just a monthly giving program. It opens the door for community connections, creating meaningful connections. Kay Bardin, Janet Clary, Donna Cross have taken the initiative and gone one step further by volunteering their time at the Boys & Girls Club-Armstrong Youth Center.
Kay Bardin Legacy Club 66 Member “It is an easy way to give back, especially for those retired. It is a small donation once a month, but we can see the difference in the kids.”
Janet Clary Legacy Club 66 Member “My first experience at the Club was during the Kevin Harvick Gym dedication ceremony. The Boys & Girls Club provides structure and opportunities for the next generation, and I was convinced I was in the right place.”
Donna Cross Legacy Club 66 Member “With extra time of my hands, I wanted to get involved with my community. I wanted to give back to the youth, that’s why the Boys & Girls Club was the perfect fit for me.” For more information, contact Kayla Nelson at: knelson@bgclubsofkerncounty.org or call 661-325-3730.
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Kids Cooking Up A Healthy Storm The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County received a $25,000 grant from Health Net, LLC to support the Health Net Cooking with Kids Nutrition Education Program at the Boys & Girls Club – Armstrong Youth Center. The nutrition education program strives to combat the excess weight and obesity issues affecting so many children in Bakersfield. According to Kidsdata.org, 56% of Kern County’s 7th-grade students tested at the Healthy Fitness Zone for body composition in 2016 compared to 62% for California. Of those 7th-grade students, 50.1% of Hispanic/ Latino students were Overweight or Obese compared to 35.5% of White students. The California Health Interview Survey for 2013-14 reports that Kern County teens who engage in regular physical fitness decreased from a little over 70% in 2009 to 57.4% in 2016-2017. The Health Net grant supports the Club’s healthy lifestyles programming which focuses on keeping the Club members physically active each day; increasing their consumption
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of fruits and vegetables, and increasing their knowledge of nutrition and food preparation skills. The Cooking with Kids program will occur monthly with the Club members (and their families) participating in three nutrition stations and three fitness stations. The goal is to promote child health and wellness by empowering children and youth to make healthy lifestyle choices. On May 10, 2019, the Health Net Cooking with Kids Nutrition Education Program officially kicked off with a ribbon cutting of the recently upgraded and stocked Teaching Kitchen at the Armstrong Youth Center thanks to Health Net support. Following the ribbon cutting, the Club members and their families had a great time “Cooking with Kids” which included making a fruit salad with cinnamon chips, playing Human Hungry Hungry Hippo and working out in the “living room.” For more information, contact Juanita Recinos at jrecinos@bgclubsofkerncounty.org or call 661-325-3730.
TEEN ADVOCACY The Lamont Boys & Girls Club’s Teen Program is actively engaged in South Kern issues.
As with other rural communities in the region, underinvestment and inadequate infrastructure hinder Lamont’s opportunities. The teens have been vocal within their community, sharing the youth perspective of the community needs. Along with community partners, the teens created the Lamont Youth Advisory Committee so youth would have a platform to speak on key policy issues and to increase opportunities for youth participation in civic engagement and leadership. The teens have had many opportunities through partnerships with advocacy organizations such as Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, The Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment, and Comite Progreso de Lamont to enact climate resilience policies and investments. These policies aim to improve housing, increase transit, provide effective storm-water drainage, and equitable land use. Together the youth and the adult community partners were able to secure $115,000 in funding for South Kern parks. This funding will go towards improvements such as shade structures, resurfacing basketball courts, and soft surface for playground areas. As many of us may be aware, there is a high need for affordable housing in Kern County. Last year, the Lamont
Boys & Girls Club teens presented before the Kern County Planning Commission Board. They shared concerns and presented facts and examples of how land use affects them and their communities. The teens presented documentation about potential areas for development for affordable housing for families, which lead to interesting conversations with local leaders about community issues and concerns. Along with advocacy work, the teens are positive role models and mentors for the younger Club members by helping with the STEM Program, homework, and athletics. This collaboration creates an opportunity for both the teens and younger members to build healthy relationships and make a positive impact. When youth are taught to be productive, caring, responsible citizens through high-quality Boys & Girls Club programs by staff who model good behavior, the youth are more likely to carry these values with them when they leave the Club. Thank you, Margie Madera, Lamont Boys & Girls Club Teen Coordinator, for helping the young people in her care to foster accountability, develop leadership skills and understand of the value of giving back to their community.
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