BGC Brief - Fall 2023

Board of Directors

Rob Duchow President of the Board Southern California Gas Company

MacKenzie Boone Vice President

Ascend Real Estate

Amir Zabrani Treasurer

Wells Fargo

Matt Damian Secretary Umpqua Bank

Scott Andrews City of Bakersfield

Alan Avery Kern Health Systems

Alex Balfour Cushman and Wakefield/Pacific Commercial Realty Advisors

Greg Broida BroidaCo Auto

Lynne Carrithers Aera Energy, LLC

Michael George Safe 1 Credit Union

Rasmus Jensen Tri Counties Bank

Larry Koman Koman Homes

Ben LeBeau LeBeau Thelen, LLP

Marivic Louey Kern Energy

Kristin Monsibais Immediate Past President Williams Adams & Company, CPAs

Timothy J. Simmons MOC Incorporated

Bryce Sterling StructureCast

Zane Smith Executive Director

Barry Hill

Associate Executive Director

Legacy Board

Ken Carter Watson Realty

Jason Cohen UBS Financial Services, Inc.

Janice Meek Retired

Gloria Williams Aera Energy LLC

Even in today’s interconnected and fast-paced world, old-fashion fundraising remains a vital mechanism for organizations, nonprofits, and individuals alike to bring their visions and passions to life, create social change, and address pressing challenges. Fundraising, at its core, is about harnessing the power of collective action and leveraging resources to create a positive impact. It plays a pivotal role in transforming ideas into action and making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities. And it is a key component of the success of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County.

Fundraising enables us to bridge the gap between aspirations and accomplishments. Whether it’s a new transportation van, educational or arts program, sports activity or just ongoing operational needs, the availability of funds is often the linchpin for progress. Without effective fundraising, many worthy endeavors would remain mere ideas, unable to materialize and make a difference.

Moreover, fundraising allows individuals to rally behind our goals and foster a sense of community and shared purpose. Our fundraising efforts provide opportunities for people to engage actively in the Club’s mission of enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. By participating in fundraising, individuals become catalysts for positive change, amplifying their impact and creating a ripple effect that reaches far beyond their contributions. Fundraising campaigns not only generate financial resources but also raise awareness about important issues, mobilizing public support and encouraging dialogue. They serve as platforms for education, fostering empathy, and inspiring a collective drive to address systemic problems.

Furthermore, fundraising promotes collaboration and partnerships. It brings together diverse stakeholders, including corporations, philanthropists, governments, and individuals, promoting a sense of shared responsibility. Effective fundraising strategies leverage the power of collaboration, encouraging collective action and creating synergy between different entities. By pooling resources and expertise, we can maximize the impact, tackle complex challenges, and find sustainable solutions that go beyond what any single entity could achieve alone.

Fundraising is not without its challenges, as it requires careful planning, strategic execution, and adaptability. Building relationships, nurturing donor engagement, and effectively communicating impact are all critical elements of successful fundraising. However, with the right strategies, tools, and a clear understanding of the importance of fundraising, together we can overcome these challenges and unlock immense opportunities and positive change for our community’s youth.

For the Club and other nonprofit organizations, fundraising stands as a cornerstone for driving positive social, economic, and environmental change. It empowers individuals, fuels innovation, and enables mission fulfillment. The importance of fundraising cannot be overstated—it is a powerful tool that brings dreams to life, connects people, and paves the way for a brighter and more sustainable future. By embracing fundraising and harnessing its potential, we can collectively strive for a world where aspirations are realized, and the power of generosity transforms lives.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County could not exist without the incredible support of the community, and we wholeheartedly thank all of our supporters for their ongoing generosity and for responding positively to our fundraising efforts.

Ed Jacobs Director of Development

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County was very excited to have been selected as one of two local non-profits for the Southern California Gas Company ‘Fueling Our Communities’ Campaign, which is part of the company’s $4 million initiative to help address food insecurity through partnerships with nonprofit organizations in central and southern California. The ‘Fueling Our Communities’ Campaign was initially created by SoCalGas in 2020 to support individuals and families

experiencing food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The $50,000 grant from SoCalGas allowed the Club to help provide over 14,000 meals for approximately 450 families in the South Kern area.

With the grant, the Boys & Girls Club purchased grocery-store gift cards and household supplies for distribution to families. The Club hosted three small community events in Lamont, Vineland, and Arvin that included carnival-themed activities for kids along with food trucks serving free hot dogs to invited families. During the events, the Club distributed $100 gift cards

and baskets full of household supplies. The participating families were referred based on need from the local Family Resource Centers.

Board President, Rob Duchow announces $50K grant to help fight food insecurity in South Kern.

South Kern family enjoying their gift basket.

Team member surprises family with $100 gift card.

CELEBRATING the CREATIVE JOURNEY of a PASSIONATE 13-YEAR OLD ARTIST

this year with some Picasso-inspired paintings!

Like most kids her age, she does have interests outside of the Club and the art room. Alondra also enjoys sports and belongs to a team at school. Her favorite show is the Vampire Diaries; movie is Inside Out; and book is Series of Unfortunate Events. She enjoys spending time on Instagram and watching TikToks. And she loves ice cream but would never eat sushi!

As Alondra’s journey in the art world unfolds, we eagerly anticipate what the future holds for this talented young artist. Let’s celebrate the artistic spirit of Alondra, a 13-year-old whose love for art knows no bounds. May her colorful journey continue to inspire budding artists and ignite a passion for creativity in all of us.

In the vibrant world of art, talent knows no age limits. Today, we shine the spotlight on Alondra, a remarkable 13-year-old who has discovered her love for art and is making waves in her art class. Her passion for creativity knows no bounds, and her dedication is truly inspiring.

Alondra has been coming to the Club since she was five and ever since she first picked up a paintbrush, she has been captivated by the magic of colors and the infinite possibilities they offer. Her art class at the Armtstong Youth Center has become her sanctuary, where she can explore her imagination and express herself freely on canvas. Alondra is relentless in her dedication of honing her artistic skills. Despite her young age, she approaches each art piece with enthusiasm and determination. She really enjoys learning from accomplished artists to broaden her artistic repertoire.

Alondra’s love for art has not only enriched her own life but has also inspired those around her. Her Club members and teachers are constantly amazed by her talent and dedication. Alondra says that if she were to ever work at the Club, she would want to work in the art room and teach art to others. She has even contributed to the Kidz Art Gallery at the Club’s annual event, Farm-to-Table(aux) where proceeds from the sale of her artwork is now helping future Boys & Girls Club Artists. We are also very excited that Alondra will be contributing to the event again

Alondra proudly displaying one of her art pieces.

Alondra has been working on her Picasso themed pieces for this year’s Farm to Table(aux).

Alondra busy working on her next art piece.

The sound of loud excited voices coming from the game room; a line of children slowly walking down the hall in step on their way to the technology center; the sound of music with voices singing harmonies and melodies coming from our performing arts room; and freshly painted artwork filling our walls with inspiration. This is a snapshot of one moment in time during our summer day camp hosted at our Jack & Monica Armstrong Youth Center.

Every year when school is out…the Club is in session. In previous years, we were thrilled to offer up to five summer day camp locations with exciting camp experiences for 11 hours per day. This year, thanks to the support of our community, our school district partners, and our trained and enthusiastic youth development team, we hit the ground running with 14 separate summer day camps all over Kern County—as far away as Frazier Park, Kernville, and Tehachapi.

Thanks to an internal social media platform, our team was able to share daily triumphs, teachable instances, and Boys & Girls Club mission moments that made us all feel as if we’d been there! And because we are not bound by the walls of our facilities or limited by imagination, our children had some of the most amazing experiences fostering new skills, knowledge, confidence, empathy, and friendship.

• Partnering with our friends at the SPCA, our children became members of the Kids & Critter Day Camp. Daily, children were transported physically and emotionally to an environment focused on caring for shelter animals, developing their animal-sitting skills, pet obedience training, and first aid/animal safety.

• Over 100 children hit the stage at Stars Theatre for a fully licensed production of SpongeBob the Musical with sold-out performances for family, friends, and community members.

• Masterpieces were created inspired by the art of Pablo Picasso; craft project presents went home daily, and thousands of friendship bracelets were created and exchanged cementing new best friends forever.

• BGCKC Teen Leaders were sent to a National Keystone Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas to learn about leadership, community investment, and to network with other teens from across the nation.

• Elephant toothpaste (a science experiment,) computer coding, robot challenges, and roller coaster design/ building filled the days in our tech centers and classrooms.

• Thousands of nutritious and delicious meals were provided for our hungry campers and children suffering from food insecurities.

• We trained over 150 youth in workforce readiness skills, resume writing, interviewing, and developing a strong work ethic. We gainfully employed 25 of these young people and placed them in a variety of work environments with employers/mentors dedicated to supporting their first employment experience.

• With a special focus on serving children who call local shelters “home,” we did our best to be the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County that our kids deserve.

Our wish is that all of our children will reflect on the summer of 2023 as one of the best times in their lives. And we also hope that all of our supporters know the integral part they play in making programs like our Summer Day Camp happen.

In early 2000, I met Zane Smith, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County, when we were both on the Youth Leadership Bakersfield Advisory Council for the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce. I was on staff at a local non-profit working with children, and our paths continued to cross over the years when in 2008, he let me know that there was an opening on his staff. I was so excited to have the opportunity to apply and interview for the Resource Development Director position with the Boys & Girls Club, but alas, the Board of Directors chose another candidate.

To say I was bummed is an understatement.

A few weeks later, Zane called me to say that the position was open again and offered me the job. Woo Hoo!! I started with the Boys & Girls Club in January 2009 as the Resource Development Director.

press releases, social media posts, check presentations, newsletter articles, and media interviews.

I have overseen a few construction projects for the Club (gamesroom, learning kitchen, commercial kitchen, and “backyard” at the E.L. Jack and Monica Armstrong Youth Center). I am assisting with renovating the Lamont Club and upgrading the Performing Arts Room at the E.L. Jack and Monica Armstrong Youth Center.

I am so glad that I can give back in some way to the community that gave so much to me. In 1985, I was recruited to come to Bakersfield from Vandenberg Air Force Base to play softball at California State University, Bakersfield, where I pitched for four years. As a member of the 1988 and 1989 NCAA Division II National Championship teams, I felt the generosity and love from the local community! I was even stopped at the mall by a gentleman with tears in his eyes thanking me for a job well done.

Over the years, my job has grown and changed. As the Director of Grants Management and Program Facilitation, I work with the program staff to identify funding needs and priority programs, leverage program opportunities in writing and reporting on grants, and maintain and build relationships with funders. Relationships also extend to developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with local, state, and federal legislative representatives. As part of my job, I coordinate with staff, grantors, and media on investment recognition, including

The best part of my job at the Boys & Girls Club is seeing all the smiling faces of the Club members who pass by the window in front of my desk every day on their way to the STEM Lab/Tech Center, Learning Center, Teen Center, Performing Arts Room (soon to be Panda Cares Center of Hope) and the Kevin Harvick Foundation Gym to engage in activities that I helped bring to the Club.

Great futures truly start at the Boys & Girls Club!

Maggie and Zane with members at the Armstrong Youth Center.

Maggie on the mound while playing softball at CSUB.

Active 20-30 Club of Bakersfield

Vince Aguilar

Justin & April Ahart

Paul Andre

Scott Andrews

Timothy & Caitlin Ashlock

Ariel & Abby Auffant

Alan Avery

Alex M. Balfour

Larry & Kay Bardin

Adam Belter

Cathy Bennett

Aimee Blaine

Sonia Bonilla-Mendoza

MacKenzie Boone

Greg & Rose Broida

John & Jean Browning

Charles & Theresa Bush

Juan & Sabrina Cazares

Gary & Donna Cross

Mickey & Alex Cushine

Mike & Maggie Cushine

Matt Damian

Chelsea Dow

Ken & Marjorie Dow

Karla Espinoza

Mark & Becky Evans

Melissa Fortune & Bruce Beretta

Christine Frazier

Fanny Gama

Justin & Megan Garant

Monica Gonzales

Renee Goodwin

Robert & Jerry Haner

Matthew & Shelly Hewett

Barry Hill

Cynthia Huggins

Edgar Jacobs

Larry Koman

Allan Krauter & Anna Agenjo

Bernie & Lynn LeBeau

Ryan & Frances Lewis

Andrew Lopez

Quon & Marivic Louey

Christopher Lowe

Zachary Martindale

Erlinda Martinez

Natalie Martinez

Renee Massey

Janice Meek

Karinna Mendoza

Peggy Miller

Ruth Miranda

Chris & Jovan Molina

Alex & Kristin Monsibais

Jonathan & Mary Anne Mueller

Shannon Ogilvie

Dale Oprandy

Randy & Mary Richardson

Bruce Saathoff & Tony Cervantes

Saber Insurance Agency

Darin Schwicker

Tim & Christy Simmons

John & Christina Sistrunk

Paul Skarphol

Zane & Amy Smith

Mark Steele

Bryce & Ashlyn Sterling

Keith Stonebraker

Carol Sugimori

Linda Sullenger

Robert Tafoya & Sandra Serrano

Josh & Susan Wall

Deborah Wood

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County recently celebrated the successful completion of the 2023 Career Launch/Summer Jobs Programs which was sponsored by Taco Bell Foundation and Bank of America. This annual program is available to any teen over the age of 15 who attends high school in Kern County. This year, 110 students took advantage of this wonderful opportunity and attended the Career Launch/Workforce Readiness Program during the school year. Students who attend classes were taught skills such goal setting, resume and cover letter writing, job application completion, job interviewing skills, and management techniques.

The interns had an opportunity to apply their newly acquired skills by interviewing for 25 paid internship positions made possible through the partnerships the Club created with local businesses. The selected interns were assigned to several locations in various trades with fifteen local companies and non-profits organizations stepping up to give interns the experience of their first job, first career mentor, and first paycheck. Interns gained experience while serving the community in various positions including customer service and

inbound call answering, office administration, computer programming and digital design, equipment operation, broadcast media, and business operation and management.

The interns worked Monday through Thursday at their respective internship location, then on Fridays they would participate in professional development workshops organized by the Boys & Girls Club. Professional development included Financial Literacy facilitated by Bank of America, Business Dining Etiquette facilitated by Educational Advisor Vikki Coffee of Bakersfield College, and they explored STEM career options facilitated by AERA Energy. The interns also participated in certification courses on CPR & AED, UPS road code, and Food Handling facilitated by the Boys & Girls Club.

The connections, opportunities, and memories the interns gained this summer are invaluable. It was a pleasure to be a part of the Career Launch/Summer Jobs Program and help to positively impact Kern County’s youth. The experience will last a lifetime— for the interns, staff, and employers.

Return Service Requested