Uplifting East Bakersfield Through Literacy, Outdoor Learning, and Belonging
In 2024, at Children First, our work reached farther and deeper than ever before. From placing books in the hands of thousands of children through literacy initiatives to leading students beyond classroom walls with our Outdoor Equity Grant, we created experiences that nurtured learning, joy, and connection. Our community-centered events celebrated culture, belonging, and the power of education. Through it all, we remained rooted in our mission: to break the cyce of intergenerational poverty by seeking out opportunities for East Bakersfield children and families to thrive—in school, at home, in nature, and in life.
This report tells the story of our impact through numbers, partnerships, and the lived experiences of the children and families we serve. You’ll see the results of your support, dedication, and belief in the power of community. Together, we are building a future where no child is left behind.
15,043 Individuals Served
3,200 Attendees
348 lbs of trash collected A Free Community Event, featuring: 520 Jefferson Elementary Students
Total Households Served 3,148.0 Total Pounds of Food 162,640.5 Total # of Volunteers 315.0
BookFairs
1,043 Students served
Each student received a $20 voucher to purchase books thanks to a grant from the Virginia and Alfred Harrell Foundation.
596
Total youth served
50 Community Vendors
12 Artisan Vendors
9 Food Vendors
68 Volunteers
10 Sponsors and $23,500 raised for Children First Programming!
4 Quarterly Cleanups 118 total Volunteers
Type of Events Art in the Park (3)
Williams Elementary ELPAC Picnic
Williams Elementary 6th Grade End of Year Celebration
Summer Intern Week of Activities (4) Fall Resource Fair
Total Events 10
Total Adults Served 220
Total Youth Served 596
Williams Elementary Data Summary
At Williams Elementary, the Children First Community Reader Program supported 35 students—primarily English Language Learners—through individualized tutoring and mentoring. The 25 core participants made an average of one year and one month of reading growth in just 18 weeks, with third graders reducing their literacy gap with peers from two months to one. Teachers reported strong confidence in the program, rotating students in as needed, while an additional 10 students facing challenges such as homelessness, foster care, or chronic absences benefited from mentoring that improved attendance and behavior. Students not only achieved measurable reading gains above schoolwide averages but also developed a stronger love for reading, directly supporting BCSD’s goal of ensuring proficiency by third grade and reclassifying English Learners by fifth grade.
Impact Snapshot
• 35 students served across four program cycles
• 25 core students received 54 individualized sessions over 18 weeks
• +1 year, 1 month average reading growth (STAR Reading)
• 3rd graders reduced literacy gap with peers from 2 months to just 1 month
• 3 extra months of growth compared to last year’s 3rd grade participants
• Students reported an increased love for reading and increased active participation in classroom lessons
Tutor Talk! Quotes From Our Reading Tutors:
“I had a little girl who left to Mexico for a full month, and when she returned, we had to start from the beginning. We were reading 1.0 level books again. She had lost a lot of progress by being out of school for so long. By my last week, she was reading 3.0 level books with minimal help. She gave me several hugs on my last day. She said she would miss me.”
“When I met one of the students, she didn’t know how to read at all, and we started off with just sight words. Then she could finally read to me and tell me about her stories. I would let her take a book home. When I came back, she was so excited to let me know that she finished it and was ready to start something new.”
“Seeing the students reading progress made me so happy for them! I also got to see how a lot of them finally realized that reading wasn’t boring. You just had to find what works best for you, how engaging it can actually be and how important of a skill it is.”
Jefferson Elementary Data Summary
At Jefferson Elementary, the Children First Community Reader Program provided individualized literacy support to 30 students, through one-on-one or one-on-two tutoring. Students participated in 54 sessions across the school year, resulting in an average of 1.13 grade levels of growth and 84 points gained on STAR Reading assessments. More than half of participants (57%) achieved at least one full year of progress in less than a school year.
Growth was especially strong among third graders, who averaged +1.24 grade levels, with nearly 7 in 10 advancing a year or more. Second graders gained +1.1 grade levels on average, with half meeting or exceeding one year of growth. These results demonstrate that the program not only prevented widening gaps but also actively closed them, helping English Language Learners and others accelerate toward gradelevel proficiency.
Among the 30 students served were 8 English Learners (EL), 3 students with 504 Plans, 2 students reclassified as fluent English proficient (RFEP), 1 student receiving Special Education services, and 1 student identified under the McKinney-Vento Act. These demographics highlight the program’s reach in supporting some of the most vulnerable student groups on campus.
Teacher Talk!
Impact Snapshot
• 28 students served across four program cycles
• +1.13 grade levels average growth (STAR Reading)
• +84 points average scaled score increase
• 57% of students gained ≥1 year of reading growth
• 3rd graders: +1.24 grade levels, 69% gained ≥1 year
• 2nd graders: +1.1 grade levels, 50% gained ≥1 year
• Students developed a stronger love for reading and Principal demonstrated confidence in the program through support
Quotes from Williams and Jefferson Elementary Teachers:
“Having a tutor for students has had a great impact with my struggling readers because it is building their confidence, and they are excited when they are able to read their book or when they share what they read.”
“A strength I observed was student engagement. I noticed that students would participate more in class by giving more discussions about texts.”
“From a student’s point of view, most students were excited to work one on one with someone. It’s usually hard to do in class and in small groups, the students with the community readers were happy with the attention ”
OUTDOOR EQUITY
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
David and Jill Hanley, Retired Science Teacher
Jill Hanley, Wife and assistant of David Hanley
Boys and Girls Club
Williams Elementary
Kern Astronomical Society
3G Activities
Outsiders Nation Mobile Impact
Hillside Mushrooms
Sketch2Studio
White Wolf Wellness Foundation
Panorama Vista Preserve
Sierra Club of Kern County
Youth2Leaders
CA Native Plant Society
CALM Zoo
Kern Nature Center
Little Hikers of Bakersfield
Clagg’s Kayak Rentals
Doug Lemmons (Reptile Specialist)
Outdoor Equity Program
In 2024, families engaged in a wide variety of outdoor learning experiences that blended science, art, and recreation. At our Family Nature Days, children explored the science of sight through optical illusions, dissected owl pellets to learn about bone anatomy, and investigated fundamental physics concepts like Boyle’s and Bernoulli’s Laws. Seasonal activities such as planting seeds, painting pots, and crafting encouraged creativity, while summer intern–led projects promoted sustainability through a pop-up thrift shop and healthy lifestyles with active play at our Make a Splash event. Family Nature Walks and CALM Zoo outings offered hands-on opportunities to connect with nature, from bird-feeder making and reptile demonstrations to kayaking and paddle boating, inspiring curiosity and wonder at every step.
These experiences were made possible through strong community partnerships that brought expertise and unique opportunities to East Bakersfield. Guest educator David Hanley led interactive science explorations, while the Kern Astronomical Society guided families in safe solar viewing and astronomy. Collaborations with the Kern Nature Center, Little Hikers of Bakersfield, Claggs Kayak Rentals, and Outsiders Nation Mobile Impact enriched programming with guided hikes, STEAM activities, and creative resources for families. Through these events, children and parents not only deepened their connection to the outdoors but also built confidence, learned new skills, and shared meaningful experiences together — creating lasting memories and fostering a stronger, more connected community.
Total of 616 Youth Served
Total of 150 Adults Served
12
Family Nature Days
Serving 490 youth and 100 adults in their community at David Nelson Pocket Park and Jefferson Park.
4
Family Nature Walks and Field Trips
Serving 126 youth and 50 adults at Camp Okihi, Panorama Vista Preserve, CALM Zoo, and Hart Park.
The Children First Team:
Staff:
Gabriel Arellano PROGRAM MANAGER
Board of Directors:
Natasha Felkins CHAIRWOMAN
Carlos Bello VICE CHAIR
Daisy Torrez SECRETARY
Guided entirely by volunteers, our board, alongside one staff member, ensures Children First’s programs make a lasting community impact. Follow
