BGC Brief Winter 2021

A Farewell Letter from Our Board President My two-year term as President of the Board for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County started in January 2020. Needless to say, shortly into my term everything started changing for the Club—and of course, the world. It was the start of COVID and there was a lot of uncertainty and the guidelines around navigating the pandemic were constantly changing.

Businesses closed, stores closed, and schools closed, but the Club remained open. It wasn’t long until the Club’s staff quickly recognized a new kind of need in the community—the need for learning hubs. A safe place where parents and essential workers could bring their children to participate in the new distance-learning requirements implemented by the schools. A place where students could engage with their teachers and classmates and have onsite staff to help them with the technology, as well as their school work.

The Club also recognized the need to expand its meal program so that kids who normally received food assistance through the schools could receive meals at Club locations instead. The Club went from serving 900 meals a day to over 4,000 to help the families in our community. During a time when so many services were closing, the staff of the Boys and Girls Clubs were finding ways to provide even more service and assistance to the community that needed them most.

In addition to the staff, many individuals and businesses in our community stepped up and went above and beyond with their donations and support. The normal funding sources and business model of the Club changed quickly and the generosity of the community helped to bridge that gap allowing the Club to stay in operation and serve so many of Kern County’s youth over these past two years.

It’s been a true honor to serve as President for this incredible organization, but most of all, I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with the wonderful staff of the Club and the generous Kern County community. I am so appreciative to everyone who continues to support the Club allowing it to have such a positive and memorable impact on Kern County’s youth.

So, as my term as President comes to an end, I just want to say thank you to the Club and the community for allowing me to contribute to the wonderful work of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County. I look forward to my continued involvement with the Club in the years to come.

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 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 Lisa Rollans Berry Petroleum

Kristin Monsibais Board President

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Emily Salters Community Volunteer Zane Smith Executive Director

Ms. Andrea helps Jaiden with homework.

“I want to be a WNBA player!”

That was the enthusiastic response given by eighthgrader, Jaiden Etchison of our Stockdale Club as she responded to questions we posed while she was hanging out at the Club. And our response to that?

We say, go for it!

What a wonderful aspiration for this five-year veteran and talented athlete of the Boys & Girls Club.

Dreams are what the Club has been built on and we are fiercely committed to supporting them with activities that foster new skills, self-confidence and friendships. For Jaiden, time on the court after doing her homework is a priority, in fact it is her favorite activity with her friends at the Club. Thanks to all of the Club’s supporters, we are thrilled that we can help provide opportunities and resources for kids like Jaiden to engage in sports and other activities that are of interest to them.

Club five years ago because she had some friends there and it seemed like a fun place to be with other kids. We think that the latter statement has certainly proven correct for Jaiden because when we asked her what she would share with other kids about the Club, she said, “I would share that it is a fun place that has a lot of activities…and they give you snacks!”

In addition to honing her athletic skills at the Club, Jaiden has also learned that she is pretty good at arts and crafts, a skill we’re sure she uses at school and at home. And once again, because of the great community support the Club receives, Jaiden was able to discover a talent within herself that she may not have otherwise. However, when we asked Jaiden if there were any other activities that she would like to see at the Club, she mentioned that she would like to see cooking classes added to the programming at the Stockdale Club so she can learn how to cook. So, now we hope to dream a commercial kitchen into reality at our Stockdale Club to help our children become chefs…or just make a healthy snack in a safe way!

Thanks for chatting with us, Jaiden and thanks for being an inspiration to other Kern County youth.

Jaiden has even expressed that when she joins the staff as an employee at the Club, she would like to lead sport activities like basketball so that more kids could enjoy it as she does. This is a true testament to the overall positive influence the Club can have on youth and their futures and we love hearing them talk about coming back to the Club someday as part of staff. A lot of our Club managers and staff are Club alumni and who better to run Clubs and give back to the community that helped them. Speaking of staff, Jaiden let us know that Mrs. Aundra and Mrs. Danella have been great mentors for her. and Activity Leader, Andrea Rodriguez had this to say about Jaiden, “I’ve enjoyed watching her grow throughout the years and seeing all that she has accomplished.

She is an amazing kid and I’m happy I’ve been able to help her in any way that I could.”

When we asked Jaiden why she attends the Club, she said that she actually started coming to the Jaiden practices basketball at the Stockdale Club.

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by Zane Smith Gorman School, site of the newest after school program.

“Help, I’m at a new school district as the superintendent, and I want a Boys & Girls Club for my kids!”

That’s what the voice on the other end of the line said to our Director of Operations, Chris Molina. This is not the first time that a friend of the Club has reached out from a new position or new school district to ask if we could set up a program on their school campus. With 66 school-based Club locations, we are well versed in sharing space and aligning our programs to meet the needs of students with thirteen different school district partners.

While some may say it is not always the best business model, the fact is that we tend to lead with our hearts in assembling our Club’s “building blocks” and will do whatever it takes when an opportunity of providing programs for underserved children comes our way. In this particular case, it was almost an ideal situation.

First, we had an outstanding leader in the superintendent, whom we had worked with at another district years ago. Next, we had accessible, child-friendly facilities at the school with built-in transportation, which sometimes can be a barrier. We also had sustainable funding through a grant from the Sate of California to pay new team members who reside in the surrounding mountain community. In addition, we had a program director with a successful track record at a Club just five miles away, who was ready and willing to mentor a new program director and staff at the new Club.

Our final block to put in place didn’t quite fit our standard structure. We are the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County, and this particular school lands just on the other side of the county line in Los Angeles County. Yet, it is closer to one of our existing clubs than any of the L.A. County Clubs. After calling two other Club Executive Directors who have programs in the L.A. region, we received the green light to serve the children at Gorman School by Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

One of the other directors became a bit emotional at the news. He shared that he was raised by a single mom and had grown up in that area. He had attended that school when he was young and was so grateful to see a Club being established at his alma mater. With his heartfelt blessing, the deal was sealed!

Pickles, Gorman School pet, paid a visit to the after school program.

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So, 40 excited children are now attending an afterschool education and enrichment program provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County directly on their school campus in Gorman, California. How does our organization benefit, you might ask? Our hearts are full with the ability to bring a life-changing program to kids in underserved areas and contribute to the economy by hiring and training local residents. Being on the ground floor and seeing children thrive in our care is the gift that keeps on giving.

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Anaheim Hilton Hotel Bakersfield Country Club Bakersfield Museum of Art Bakersfield Symphony Lisa Borda Jean Browning Theresa & Charlie Bush California Academy of Sciences Marc & Shannon Caputo Corks & Strokes Mike Crowe Chelsea Dow Eagle Mountain Casino EZ Tan Vince Fong Silvestre Galvan Golden State Warriors

Renee Goodwin Kevin Harvick Ed Jacobs Jake’s Tex Mex Arnie Johansan Jordanos Kern Oil & Refining Co. KGET-17 Larry Komen Lemonade Locks Quon & Marivic Louey Chris Lowe Mae’s Sweet Tooth Jenny Maitia Sandi Maul Chris & Jovan Molina Rick Mossman

Oakland Museum of California Brad & Liz Peters Raising Cane’s Real Escape Bakersfield Kevin Reiser Rosemary’s Family Creamery Steve Sanders SFMoMA Zane & Amy Smith Keith Stonebraker Linda Sullenger St. Michelle Vineyards Temblor Brewing Company The Crest The Huntington Via Bella Salon Jim White

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It Takes a Ca

August 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021 Corporate/Organization/ Foundation Gifts Ben H. & Gladys Arkelian Foundation Black Family Trust California Resources Corporation Cantelmi Engineering Cattani Farms, LLC DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen Harry & Ethel West Foundation Impact Skateshop Kevin McCarthy for Congress The Peters Family Trust PG&E Corporation Foundation Primetime Signs Inc. Rudy Salas District 32 Sempra Energy Foundation Tri Counties Bank Urbane Cafe

Individual Gifts

Jimmie Ahl Christopher Anaya Nicole Ansolabehere Vanessa Arellano Robert & Nancy Arias Erik Bartsch Christopher Benhardt Julissa Bhakta Mark Bledsoe MacKenzie Boone Annika Bowser Jay Brickhouse Charles & Theresa Bush Brianne Buzikowski Tracey Carlile Jon & Lynne Carrithers Joann Christensen Doug & Janet Clary Pat Cox Pati Del Papa Maria Delgado Caitlyn Denny William & Sandra Descary Malinda Diaz Ken & Marjorie Dow Robert & Emily Duchow Mark & Becky Evans Marcia Eyherabide Mario Figueroa Barrone Gaines Mike & Shari George Kent L Gerhardt Heather Glass Tom Gonzales Whitney Grande Jay Greenstein

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Lance & Ashley Grimes Gregg & Fran Gunner Clark & Pam Gustafson Adris H. Halim Herbert Hochstatter Cynthia Huggins Lorenza Hughes Bruce & Linda Jay John Johnson Geoff & Lisa King Ryan & Frances Lewis Gregory & Jo Ann Marling Andrew Martinez Yolanda P. Martinez Cheryl Miller Peggy Miller Stephanie Molina Tony & Rosalina Nankil Ryan Nelson Karen Nguyen David & Alison Norris Anthony & Donna Oehlert James Perry Anindya Poddar Carol Raupp Patricia Reed William & Barbara Reifel Joseph & Monique Roberts Emily Rubio-Russell Sandra Serrano & Robert Tafoya Thomas & Maria Steele Carol Sugimori Diane Sullivan Ricarda Swakhamer Victor Tamayo Jesse & Martha Terrazas Rita Waugh Steve Woods Dwayne Ziegeler

Corporate/Orgainzations/ Foundations In-Kind Gifts

Guarantee Shoe Center Lowe’s Home Improvement Michael’s Rotary Club of Bakersfield East Vons

Individual In-Kind Gifts Dominick Giordano Charles & Valerie Hashim Carol Kyle Gail May

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Tributes

In Memory of: Scott Lee Meyer by John Johnson In Honor of: Alice Roberts by Joseph Roberts In Honor of: Valentina Perez-Andreesen by Julissa Bhakta

Club 66

Active 20-30 Club of Bakersfield Justin & April Ahart Timothy Ashlock Ariel & Abby Auffant Laura Avila Alex M. Balfour John Barahona Larry & Kay Bardin Adam Belter Cathy Bennett Bruce Beretta & Melissa Fortune Aimee Blaine John & Jean Browning Sabrina Cazares Gary & Donna Cross Mickey Cushine Mike & Maggie Cushine Matt Damian Armand & Joanie Fitzgerald Christine Frazier Cathleen Gandara Renee Goodwin Robert & Jerry Haner Matthew & Shelly Hewett Barry & Eashell Hill Edgar Jacobs Larry Koman Allan Krauter & Anna Agenjo Bernie & Lynn LeBeau Andrew Lopez-Landeros Christopher Lowe Zachary Martindale Erlinda Martinez Karinna Mendoza Ruth Miranda Chris & Jovan Molina Alex & Kristin Monsibais Jonathan & Mary Anne Mueller Kurt & Luisa Neher Shannan Ogilvie Dale Oprandy Randy & Mary Richardson Mike & Danette Rinehart

ring Community August 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021

Jose Romo Darin Schwicker John & Christina Sistrunk Paul Skarphol Zane & Amy Smith Linda Sullenger Dan & Rhesa Tate Josh & Susan Wall Deborah Wood

Farm to Table(aux)

Melissa Alsop Rick & Danielle Anthony Tony & Tracy Azemika Jeff & Rhonda Barnhard Jorge & Carla Barrientos Erik Bartsch Becky Bartz Adam Belter Bob & Stacie Bender Cathy Bennett Julissa Bhakta Pam Binss Vernon & Valeta Blackburn Aimee Blaine Mike & Kim Boles MacKenzie Boone Manuel Botello Greg & Rose Broida Michael & LaZelle Broida John & Jean Browning Kevin & Christa Burton Charles & Theresa Bush Andrea Campbell Marc & Shannon Caputo Jon & Lynne Carrithers Steve & Cindy Castro Arnold & Sylvia Cattani Tony Cervantes Tim & Carrie Champness Mark Chase William Chicas Ira & Carole Cohen Ty Conners LJ Corby & Rick Radon Garth & Katie Corrigan Jaron Cramer Mickey Cushine Mike & Maggie Cushine Matt Damian Wayne & Lynn Deats Sue Deininger Shelly Dew TJ Dhaliwal David Dobbs Amy Dorril

Ken & Marjorie Dow Mark & Becky Evans Tom Feher Jesus Fidel Ranee Findley Melissa Fortune Greg & Heather Frank Cathleen Gandara Michael M. George Mike & Shari George Jeff Giumarra Global Design Global Machining Services, Inc George Go Kevin & Emilee Gonsalves Gabriela Gonzales Heather Gonzales Renee Goodwin Tashauna Gray Natalie Green Cornelio Gutierez-Lozan Paula Harvey Joe & Sofie Hay Lori Hicks Barry & Eashell Hill Mary Hill Nathan & Marcella Ives Edgar Jacobs Mary Jacobs Michelle January Ron & Diane Johnson Russ & Jeannine Johnson Al Jones Chad Jones Laura Jones Patricia Keefer Larry Koman Zack Krone Elena Corona LaRoque Holly Lazzerini Ben & Denise LeBeau Bernie & Lynn LeBeau Mark Lima David Loyd Alycia McCain Kim McGuire Bennett & Lindsey Mebane Lee & Mavis Meyer David & Leighann Milazzo Danhira Barajas Millan Darlene Mohlke Chris & Jovan Molina Alex & Kristin Monsibais Rick Montoya Michael & Georgia Moore Alex Mora

CeCe Mora Ali Moser Jonathan & Mary Anne Mueller Ruth Myers Kayla Nelson Jeff Nickell Bryan & Mikaela Oberg Mike & Brenda O’Doherty Dave & Terry Oxley Pat & Robin Paggi Alex & Nikki Palla Jacob & Nicole Panero Erin Paslay-Henderson Pritesh & Mira Patel Rick & Ricki Peace Heather Pennella Jonny Perez Molly Perrick Megan Person Jason & Aimee Rabanal Kevin Reiser Derek Robinson Lisa Rollans Bruce Saathoff Saber Insurance Agency Justin & Emily Salters Jill Sanders Darin Schwicker David Shaw Andy & Stephanie Sheffield Sam & Lorraine Siador Frank Sierra Darin & Kellie Sloan Zane & Amy Smith Stinson’s Ira & Karen Stoker Scott Thayer Jay Thompson Tom Thompson Pete Thrift Scott & Vaun Thygerson Rebekah Tineer Anthony Tobin Michelle Tracy Kevin Trihey Larry Velasquez Ben Wageman Diane Wallace Cat Webb Alec & Linda Wilder Williams Adams & Company CPAs Michelle Willow Tim Yaksitch Kevin Zimmerman Karen Zuber

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High Energy & Enthusiasm…

Ingredients of a Successful Training Director High energy does not begin to describe Training

Director, Andrew Lopez-Landeros! He doesn’t sit still and his enthusiasm is contagious. Andrew grew up in East Bakersfield with a single parent mom and two doting grandparents. His Grandmother, who will be moving into his home with his family once escrow closes on their new house, was his number one fan and took him to his lessons and sporting events which fostered a close relationship that is even stronger today!

Growing up, his heroes ranged from the Green Ranger to Arnold Schwarzenegger. He admired the challenges they overcame, their commitment to self-improvement and ultimately he wanted to be a hero! With a long list of role models ranging from his grandfather to supervisors from work, the common thread is people who inspire and demonstrate commitment to serving others. Without realizing it at the time, Andrew’s grandfather taught him life lessons and invested his time and love into help raising him…which now gives him a deeper appreciation for this gift.

Former trainer for the Boys & Girls Club and now an executive with Goodwill Industries, Justin Ahart is at the top of Andrew’s list of inspirational role models who kept him engaged and focused on his career path with the Boys & Girls Club.

Andrew considers his mom one of the most influential people in his life.

Through her career as a teacher, she opened a door to Andrew in the rewards for impacting the lives of children, which ultimately led him to employment with the Boys & Girls Club. Success breeds success according to Andrew, and through his experiences in engaging children with tutoring, role modeling, teaching new skills

Andrew has been with the Club since 2014.

and finding acceptance with his students, he has continued to climb the management ladder with the Club. Promotions allowed him to impact children in a different way. Although still available to get a game of chess going, it is his training of Boys & Girls Club Youth Development Professionals that has an exponential impact on the kids attending Clubs throughout Kern County. “Training has allowed me to illustrate enrichment programming for new staff with my own personal flair and enthusiasm and this gets demonstrated when they are successful in engaging and motivating our kids,” says Andrew in regards to his excitement about training.

Andrew applies his own parenting lessons when working with both kids and the staff team. Andrew shared this in regards to the question, “How has being a parent impacted you personally and professionally?” “You might have a preconceived notion of what kind of parent you will be in raising your own children, instilling values, and home culture, but in actuality your children’s needs will drive your parenting strategies and life lessons. Once you recognize this, you start adjusting your strategies to be mission focused, both in parenting and delivering services to students.”

Andrew dreams of one day establishing a full training department with the Club and impact current staff and new staff…ultimately better serving children. His vision includes a 10-year plan where the training division can operate state of the art learning centers in all parts of Kern County to address the development needs of employees and the children in our care. “Things change so fast in our industry, it is exciting to be on the forefront making sure our kids are safe and thriving while in our programs,” Andrew shared regarding the work Andrew portraying Toulouse Lautrec he is so deeply invested in.

during the 2021 Farm to Table(aux).

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OF KERN COUNTY

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