A Letter from Our Associate Executive Director In the 26 years I’ve been at the Club, I have seen amazing things happen for the
people involved and what it all comes down to is, “You get back what you put into the Club!” Whether you are a staff, parent, board member, supporter, and especially a child, the Club is a place where anything is possible through hard work, an open mind and an open heart. For me the Club started with athletics. In my late teens I joined friends in coaching in the Club’s sports leagues and quickly found my niche working with kids. Back then, the Club was housed in a church on Monterey Street and relied on volunteers to coach and run the athletic program on the eastside. Although my main employment was with UPS, I soon found the time to join the team for their summer day camp in 1996. Due to financial challenges, the Club let me go within a couple of weeks of employment. I stayed in contact with the team and by December of that year, the Club’s finances allowed me to join the after-school program as an activity leader. While balancing working graveyard at UPS and running a variety of programs at the Club including the athletics program, I moved up in the ranks as program lead, program director, and director of operations–all while getting my college education. The joke was that I worked at UPS so I could afford to work at the Club! It was a life-changing event when leadership at the Club asked me to resign from UPS and dedicate my career to overseeing all of the Club’s program operations. The idea of starting as a volunteer at one site and now the Associate Executive Director for 64 locations and growing is almost overwhelming. During this time, I’ve continued my education, gotten married, had a child, bought a house, started a retirement plan and had the pleasure of getting to know thousands of children who have come through our doors. I’m especially proud and grateful that I have been able to establish our meals program; expand our district partnerships both in south Kern and north Kern; and develop systems and processes that support the safety, health and welfare of our staff and the children in our care. Everyone at the Club has a story of how the Club has changed their life for the good. My story gave me a career with purpose and a Club Family that I can’t ever imagine not being a part of. Years ago, I asked our Executive Director if he thought we would ever slow down and he laughed, “Not with you charging ahead pushing the envelope on how to make us better!” I’m Barry Hill and I am a proud member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County Family.
Board of Directors Kristin Monsibais, President of the Board Williams Adams & Company, CPAs Theresa Bush, Vice-President Aera Energy LLC Amir Zabrani, Treasurer Mission Bank Matt Damian, Secretary Tri Counties Bank Alex Balfour Cushman and Wakefield/Pacific Commercial Realty Advisors MacKenzie Boone Ascend Real Estate Jason Cohen UBS Financial Services, Inc. Justin Cummings Rio Acai Bowls Roman Cyrus S.C. Anderson Rob Duchow Southern California Gas Company Michael George Safe 1 Credit Union Rasmus Jensen Valley Republic Bank Chad Jones California Resources Corporation Larry Koman Koman Homes Ben LeBeau LeBeau Thelen, LLP Derek Robinson Kern County Fire Department Emily Salters California State University, Bakersfield
Barry Hill Associate Executive Director
Zane Smith Executive Director Barry Hill, Halloween 1996
The Boys & Girls & Girls Clubs of Kern County started in 1966...
1967 2
Temporary Boys Club at 630 Bernard Street (25 boys served daily).
BGCBRIEF| www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org
1978
Boys Club moves to 308 Yampa Street (30 boys served daily).
1979
Boys Club moves to 1430 Lincoln Street (30 boys served daily).
1981
The Boys Club raises $150,000 to buy the church at 800 Monterey Street.
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A SPOTLIGHT WITH
MASHAYLA BGCKC: How long have you been a Club kid? “Seven years.” BGCKC: Why did you get signed up for the Club? “I went to the Club because I was bored at home; I wanted to have fun after school. Also to gain and find friendship to be connected with people my age.” BGCKC: What is your favorite activity at the Club? “STEM Mentoring.” BGCKC: What programs do you belong to at the Club? “STEM, art, Keystone Club, and sewing.” BGCKC: If you were going to be a staff, which activity would you want to lead? “Computer lab/STEM & Electric Science Girls. I feel like I’m more engaged with those activities. I love teaching STEM to the youth.”
Mashayla Keystone Teen Member Age 17
1986 4
Boys & Girls Club of Bakersfield now serves both boys & girls (45 children served daily).
BGCBRIEF| www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org
1996
Zane Smith is hired as the Executive Director.
BGCKC: What have you learned about yourself at the Club? “I feel more confident and outspoken. I learned to be happy with myself and to move forward to my future.” BGCKC: Who are your mentors at the Club? “Eme, Juanita, Surenity, and Odallas.” BGCKC: Do you have any special Club accomplishments that you are proud of? “Keystone president (twice), STEM Mentoring awards, STEM mentor for 3 years, and I was able to get a job with the Club that was an amazing accomplishment.”
Mashayla in the Women’s and Girls’ Fund STEM Video.
BGCKC: If you could tell a teen to join the Club... what would you share with them? “The Club is a place to feel safe and connected. A space to feel like you belong and are cared for. To engage in activities of your interest and to be a better person; to learn to think positively about yourself. And if that doesn’t work I would just say the Club gives free food.” BGCKC: What do you want to be when you grow up? “I want to be a Therapist or Psychologist.” BGCKC: Who is your best friend at the Club? “I currently don’t have a best friend, but I would like to say the staff members.” BGCKC: Is the Club for everyone? “Yes, the Club is for everyone.”
Mashayla in Sewing Club.
BGCKC: If you could add an activity at the Club, what would it be? “To have a program that focuses on mental health and suicide preventions ages (1118).” BGCKC: Anything else you want to share? “I am so happy that I have had a wonderful experience at the Club. The past seven years at the club have been so amazing. I have grown to be the best person I can be. I have learned so much; I want to thank everyone who has helped me to become the person I am now.” Mashayla helping Club member with STEM activities
1996
Ground breaking, 801 Niles St. for the future E.L. Jack and Monica Armstrong Youth Center.
1997
E.L. Jack and Monica Armstrong Youth Center opens doors (250 children served daily).
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It Takes a Ca
February 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021 Corporate/Organization/ Foundation Gifts Active 20-30 Club of Bakersfield AltaOne Federal Credit Union Bakersfield North Rotary Foundation Bank of the Sierra Ben H. & Gladys Arkelian Foundation Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County Foundation Brakebush Brothers, Inc. California Resources Corporation Castle & Cooke California, Inc. Charities Aid Foundation of America Chevron USA Harry and Ethel West Foundation Hidey Style, LLC The Jack and Mary Lou Thomson Endowment Fund Jim Burke Ford Lincoln Jim Burke Education Foundation Klein, DeNatale, Goldner LeBeau-Thelen, LLP Network for Good Petrol Transport Inc. S.C. Anderson, Inc. Stinson’s Tasteful Selections Telehealthdocs Medical Group Three-Way Chevrolet Tri Counties Bank Valley Republic Bank Vans Deli Market Varner Bros., Inc. Walter Mortensen Insurance
Bruce Beretta and Melissa Fortune Aimee Blaine Diane Bomer Mackenzie Boone John and Jean Browning Michael Brumbaugh Charles and Theresa Bush Mar Cano Chris Caratan Jon and Lynne Carrithers Anne I Carter Alicia Cashperson Steve and Cindy Castro Juan and Sabrina Cazares Henry Chatman Steven and Susan Christovich Doug and Janet Clary Susan Cluck David and Dianne Cooper
Jeannie Cox Crook Gary and Donna Cross Mackenzie Cushine Mickey Cushine Mike and Maggie Cushine Matt Damian Patrick De Luna Robert and Emily Duchow Shelley Eckvahl Cora Esquillo Crystal Evans Craig Ewing Alexandria Fabbro Chris Fabbro Armand and Joanie Fitzgerald Donald Fitzgerald Christine Frazier Anthony Galagaza Cathleen Gandara
Individual Gifts
Mallory Adamczyk Justin and April Ahart Timothy Ashlock Ariel and Abby Auffant Laura Avila Alex M. Balfour Larry and Kay Bardin Kyle Barnes Adam Belter Cathy Bennett
2001 6
Partnership with BCSD established first 4 after-school programs (400 children served daily).
BGCBRIEF| www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org
2003
BCSD partnership expands to add after-school programs on additional schools.
ring Community February 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021
Jorge Garay Danelle Garrison James George Renee Goodwin Tom Gray Veronica Hahni Adris H. Halim Robert and Jerry Haner Michael Henstra Eddie Hernandez Matthew Hewett Barry and Eashell Hill Cynthia Huggins Edgar Jacobs Mary Jacobs Greg Jarvis Robert Johnson Selwyn Kay Larry Koman Allan Krauter and Anna Agenjo Jeanine Kraybill Diane S. Lake John and Ingrid Lake Bernie and Lynn LeBeau Malcolm Lightfoot Giselle Lloyd Andrew Lopez-Landeros Christopher Lowe Sally Macguire Zachary Martindale Erlinda Martinez Kevin and Judy McCarthy Robin McGuire Michael Sean McHale Amy McLaughlin Teresa Mejia Brian and Valerie Mendiburu Karinna Mendoza Danhira Barajas Millan Peggy Miller Chris and Jovan Molina Alex and Kristin Monsibais Michael and Georgia Moore Tony Moreno Jonathan and Mary Anne Mueller Kurt and Luisa Neher Jennifer Newland
2004
David and Alison Norris Anthony and Donna Oehlert Shannan Ogilvie Dale Oprandy Liz Owens Myrna Pelle Anindya Poddar Ljubica Popovac Randy and Mary Richardson Mike and Danette Rinehart Abigail Megan Rodriguez Jose Romo Dina Rosen Joe and Sally Santa Cruz Jeremiah Schroeder Robert Senger Sandra Serrano and Robert Tafoya Jody Shafer Sam and Lorraine Siador Chuck Simmons John and Christina Sistrunk Paul Skarphol Alan Smith Zane and Amy Smith Mark Sprecher Carol Sugimori Linda Sullenger
Stockdale Boys & Girls Club established (800 children served daily).
2005
Dan and Rhesa Tate Tanya Taylor Mary Trichell Susan Tripeny Auntie Trudie Jake Turzinski Tonya Vallicella Joe Keith Vilas Josh and Susan Wall Mark Weir Deborah Wood Paul Woodworth
Corporate/Organization/ Foundation In-Kind Gifts
Brigade Recreational Soccer League Old Navy Outlet
Individual In-Kind Gifts Ty Ohanneson Jeannine Waits
Tributes
In Memory of Larry Delpit By: John and Elissa DiCarlo Windes, Inc.
Lamont building donation for Lamont Boys & Girls Club (900 children served daily).
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2007 8
Name changed to Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County.
BGCBRIEF| www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org
2007
Frazier Park Boys & Girls Club opens (1000 children served daily).
to all of our Club 66 Members for giving life-changing opportunities for GREAT FUTURES!
Active 20/30 Club Adam Belter Aimee Blaine Alex and Kristin Monsibais Alex M. Balfour Allan Krauter and Anna Agenjo Andrew Lopez Anthony Galagaza April Ahart Ariel and Abby Auffant Armand and Joanie Fitzgerald Barry Hill Bernie and Lynn Lebeau Bruce Beretta and Melissa Fortune Cathleen Gandara Cathy Bennett Charles and Theresa Bush Chris and Jovan Molina Christine Frazier Christopher Lowe Dale Oprandy Dan and Rhesa Tate Deborah Wood Doug and Janet Clary Ed Jacobs Erlinda Martinez Gary and Donna Cross
2008
BCSD partnership expands adding programs in additional elementary and middle schools.
2009
Henry Chatman John and Christina Sistrunk John and Jean Browning Jonathan and Mary Anne Mueller Jose Roma Josh and Susan Wall Juan and Sabrina Cazares Karinna Mendoza Kurt and Luisa Neher Larry and Kay Bardin Larry Koman Laura Avila Linda Sullenger Matt Damian Matthew Hewett Mickey Cushine Mike and Danette Rinehart Mike and Maggie Cushine Patrick and Karen Thompson Paul Skarphol Randy and Mary Richardson Renee Goodwin Robert and Jerry Haner Sam and Lorraine Siador Shannan Ogilvie Timothy Ashlock Zane and Amy Smith
Partnered with Lamont School District to offer after-school programs (3000 children served daily).
BGCBRIEF| www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org
9 9
2010 10
Expanded services in South Kern (after-school and summer programs) (3200 children served daily).
BGCBRIEF| www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org
2011
The Club grows to 42 sites due to partnership with the Arvin School District (4500 children served daily).
Ch el s ea D ow i s t he
HEART
of the Club’s Kitchen
by Zane Smith
Donated art piece, “Ship” by a grateful food recipient.
A small hand reaches out with an open palm, eyes wide with a huge contagious smile. Five-year-old Nathan has waited patiently in line with his mom for the meals he and his siblings will be enjoying together at home. What is easily missed is the hand that gladly puts a large sack with food for the day and breakfast for tomorrow into his arms. This hand belongs to Chelsea Dow, Nutrition Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Club. With a quick smile and warm, welcoming voice, she says, “Glad to see you, Nathan, be sure to come back tomorrow!” This assistance Chelsea Dow has been preparing meals for Club members since 2018. happens thousands of times each day for kids throughout Kern County, days per week to serving 4000 healthy thanks to Chelsea and her trained meals each day to children seven culinary service team. days per week who might otherwise go hungry. Chelsea attended culinary school intending to have a career working Coordinating all of the supplies, in a high-end restaurant. She never equipment, menus, vehicles, thought she would use her education distribution logistics, vendors, health and restaurant and customer service department requirements, state experience to reimagine the Boys & Girls standards, budgeting, waivers, Club Nutrition Program. But under her ongoing education, staff scheduling, guidance during the pandemic, Chelsea and documentation is done with a and her team went from serving 900 good-natured smile and often laughter. nutritious meals each day to children five Chelsea works with her team on one of the most critical services the Boys & Girls Club has ever taken on.
on islands”, he wrote a note relating the ships as the food delivery vans and the nutrition team coming from our kitchen to distribute life-saving meals in different parts of the community. Chelsea (our ship captain), with her tremendous work ethic and drive, continues to navigate the turbulent waters of no-contact food distribution, so children are getting the food that they need. Children like Nathan may never know the kind of heroic effort that has been made on their behalf, and that’s okay; individuals like Chelsea who work from the heart know that each day of service will make a significant impact on these precious lives.
When a father of two children at one of our six community serving locations gave the nutrition staff team a painting expressing his gratitude, he couldn’t have known how much this message meant to Chelsea and her team. On the back of his artwork “ships docking Chelsea passing out meals during daily grab and go service.
2011
Learning Garden established with help from local pastor, local politician, and many volunteers.
Chelsea and her family.
2013
The Club grows to 52 sites in partnership with seven school districts (5500 children served daily).
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2015 12
54 Club sites in Arvin, Bakersfield, Frazier Park and Lamont (5500 children served daily).
BGCBRIEF| www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org
2015
“Backyard” officially opened at the E.L. Jack and Monica Armstrong Youth Center.
2015
The Club moved from a donated snack after-school to an FDA approved “supper” at six Club sites which equaled 8,400 meals per month in Arvin, Bakersfield and Lamont.
2016
Kevin Harvick and Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation converts the “backyard” and upgrade the gym.
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2018 14
A storage room is converted into a commercial kitchen at the Armstrong Youth Center.
BGCBRIEF| www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org
2019
Partnership with Maple and Semitropic School Districts to offer after-school and STEM summer camp.
2020
COVID strategies implemented and Virtual Clubhouse launched.
2020
Nutrition Program expanded to serve 120,000 meals per month to children.
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OF KERN COUNTY
801 Niles Street PO BIN 5J Bakersfield, CA 93385
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