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2024 Judi McCarthy Women and Young Women Philanthropy Award nomination due February 15

The Women’s and Girls’ Fund of Kern Community Foundation is asking the community to nominate women, and young women ages 16 to 25, for The 2024 Judi McCarthy Women’s Philanthropy Award between now and February 15, 2024. The namesake for this prestigious award that honors women and girls who are committed to improving the lives of Kern County residents through their giving and leadership, is Judi McCarthy, a well-known local philanthropist and a founding member of The Women’s and Girls’ Fund of Kern Community Foundation.

The awards selection committee will review all nominations and select the 2024 recipient in early March. One award in each category will be presented at the Women’s & Girls’ Fund Annual Luncheon scheduled for April 24, 2024.  The committee is responsible for the final selection.  (In the unlikely event that the committee feels that no nominees have met the criteria, the awards may be withheld.)

The Women’s Philanthropy Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrates a philanthropic spirit through personal giving or inspiring others to support charitable organizations;
  • Exhibits a long-term commitment to, and a passion for, bettering the lives of Kern County residents;
  • Focuses on seeking solutions to a problem rather than easing the symptoms; and
  • Inspires others to take a leadership role in philanthropy.

The Young Women’s Philanthropy Selection Criteria

  • Is between 16 and 25 years of age, and eligible for extra-curricular activities (if in high school) and not on academic probation (if in college);
  • Demonstrates a philanthropic spirit through personal giving or inspiring others to support charitable organizations;
  • Exhibits a commitment to, and a passion for, bettering the lives of Kern County residents;
    and
  • Focuses on seeking solutions to a problem rather than easing the symptoms

If you would like more information on The Women’s and Girl’s Fund (Click Here).

 

 

Bakersfield Recovery Services: Multi-Service Center Services

Parenting Classes:

Beginning January 23 & 24. 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM. 40-week court approved. No Fee. Every week. This is a reoccurring class.

Financial Education:

“How Money Works” This is a one-day class and last about 45 minutes. At this time, we are organizing a monthly co-hort.

Kern County Public Health Mobile Health Clinic: 

Beginning January 18 the MSC will partner with the mobile health clinic on a monthly basis for the 3rd Thursday of every month. 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

Parenting Kit Distribution: 

The MSC has begun to distribute kits for new parents. 

Referral Services:

If there is a service that an individual needs that the MSC doesn’t provide we have partnered with a platform to submit referrals to other organizations in the community to meet the needs of the individual.

Job Development Workspace: 

Computer Literacy, soft skills training, resume preparation, mock interviewing, and customer relations training.

Supervised CPS Visits: 

Clients can request to have their visits moved to the center. 

**Sign-ups have begun for all program services. Individuals will need to come to the center to register. An ID is not needed.**

GIVE BIG KERN 2023: Report to the Community

The Give Big Kern 2023 Community Report is now available!

Save the Date for Give Big Kern 2024, Tuesday, May 7, 2024!!

The much-anticipated Give Big Kern 2023 Community Report has arrived, and it’s time to celebrate the incredible achievements of this year’s event! In the report, you will see the highlights, prize winners, and the impact made possible by our generous sponsors and donors.

Gratitude to Sponsors and Donors:

We extend our gratitude to all our sponsors and donors who made Give Big Kern 2023 possible. Your generosity and commitment to our community are truly remarkable. Without your support, none of this would have been achievable. Every dollar raised has a direct and lasting impact on local nonprofits and the people they serve.

A Record-Breaking Year:

One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s report is the astounding figure: GBK 2023 raised a grand total of $965,839 for local participating nonprofits! This remarkable achievement reflects the collective effort and passion of our community. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of those who rely on the services provided by these nonprofits.

Share the Report and Inspire Others:

We encourage you to share this report with others, especially nonprofit organizations that may not have participated in GBK before. By sharing Give Big Kern, we hope to inspire even more organizations to join us next year. Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more vibrant Kern County.

View 2022 Report to the Community

Save the Date for Give Big Kern 2024: May 7, 2024

City of Bakersfield’s Business Security Improvements Grant

Business Security Improvements Grant Program Guidelines

The City of Bakersfield’s Business Security Improvements Grants Program supports security improvements to assist small businesses and non-profits and mitigate financial hardship in disproportionately impacted areas. The Business Security Improvements Grant Program uses federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to provide grants within Qualified Census Tracts in the city limits of Bakersfield.

To be eligible for a grant:

  • Your business must be within a Qualified Census Tract (see map in Attachment A).
  • You must have a current business license with the City of Bakersfield.
  • Must not have any delinquent bills or outstanding liens issued by the City.
  • The business must have no more than 500 employees.

For more information (CLICK HERE).

The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity seeks Executive Director

The Center Job Description

About The Center
The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity (The Center) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender community (LGBTQIA2S+) in Kern County, California.

Mission and Values
The Center is an easy-access hub providing safe, supportive spaces and services to Kern County’s LGBTQIA2S+ community and allies. We welcome persons of all identities and strive toward a goal of creating a feeling of belonging for all persons while serving as a bridge connecting to the greater community in Kern County.

Organizational History
The Center opened as a downtown community outreach center in 2011 and operated as volunteer-run organization until the first paid staff position was filled in 2016. Currently, there is a paid staff of seven. A second location, The Annex, houses administrative offices and counseling services. The 2023-24 Budget is $750,000., funded by local donors and multiple grants.

Organizational Impact
The Center provides services to support Kern County LGBTQ+ residents in living happy, productive, fulfilling lives in a safe and supportive community. Our efforts are focused on individual support services such as counseling and activities to help build self-esteem, and community transformation activities including cultural competency trainings. By conservative estimates, 66,000 Kern residents identify as LGBTQ+ (7.1% of the population, as estimated by Gallup, 2022); many have struggled for self acceptance as well as acceptance and understanding from family, friends, and community. The Center provides that acceptance and educates the wider community in how to provide affirming services. Since opening, The Center has welcomed over 13,000 visitors into its Safe Space as it serves the needs of Kern County’s LGBTQIA2S+ community.

Candidate Profile

The new Executive Director of The Center will be an experienced, motivational, and equity-centered leader with a professional track record of organizational development and mission advancement. They will bring a transparent, inclusive, and collaborative leadership style, and the ability to direct, mentor, support, and coach staff at all levels of experience and professional development. Candidates for this position should have a personal style that is empathetic, warm, and engaging, along with the ability to set healthy boundaries, hold people accountable, and actively listen/respond to the needs of a wide range of internal and external constituents. They should be empathetic, accessible, and people-centered and, at the same time, bring the professional skills and knowledge to lead The Center to new levels of success and impact. Regardless of professional background, a personal understanding of and commitment to intersectional issues/identities (race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status, etc.) in the LGBTQ+ community is essential.

Click Here to view full job listing

Plumas Corp seeks Giant Sequoia Coordinator & Southern Sierra Watershed Restoration Project Manager

Plumas Corp seeks Giant Sequoia Coordinator & Southern Sierra Watershed Restoration Project Manager

Plumas Corp is looking for a full-time (40 hours/week) Giant Sequoia Coordinator and Watershed Restoration Project Manager in the Southern Sierras. The Giant Sequoia Coordinator work is 75% of the position and directly supports the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition (GSLC) efforts. The Watershed Restoration Project Manager work is 25% of the position and assists other staff in managing a suite of Plumas Corp watershed restoration projects in the Southern Sierra region. Projects are located primarily on public lands (Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park, Sierra National Forest), at elevations of 3,000- 9,000 feet. Field work may consist of collecting meadow topographic survey data, evaluating wildfire hazard conditions, evaluating and mapping vegetation, trees and forests (including giant sequoia groves), conducting stand exams, hydrologic and forest monitoring, and project implementation. The position includes both office and field work. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. In addition to fair weather field work, expect heat, cold, rain, snow, noise, and dust. Travel to remote locations can be expected. For more information (Click Here).

BYJP City Hall Summer Internship – National Intern Day

Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP) City Hall Summer Interns videos for National Intern Day. Thank you to our partners at the City of Bakersfield and California Volunteers. For more information on BYJP, please visit www.kernfoundation.org/byjp.

Meet Sebastian (Finance Dept.), Carissa (City Clerk’s), and Broderick and Brock (Public Works).
Meet Raphael from the City of Bakersfield’s Water Resources Department.
Meet Arron from the City of Bakersfield’s Police Department.
Meet Jaqueline from the City of Bakersfield’s Recreation and Parks Department.
Meet Jazmin from the City of Bakersfield’s Recreation and Parks department.
Meet Lilly from the City of Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Department.

GIVE BIG KERN 2022 Community Report Out NOW!

The Give Big Kern 2022 Community Report is now available!

Click on the image or link above to access our 2022 Report to the Community.

In this report you will view the highlights and prize winners! Thank you to all the sponsors and donors!

This year we raised $885,235 for local participating nonprofits!

Please share this report with others- especially with other nonprofits, to encourage those who have yet participated in Give Big Kern to consider doing so next year.

Save the Date for Give Big Kern 2023 May 2, 2023!!

Kern Community Foundation Announces Aaron Falk as New President and CEO

Bakersfield, Calif., December 1, 2021 – The Board of Directors of Kern Community Foundation announced that Aaron Falk has been named President and CEO. Falk, who will begin his tenure on December 20, succeeds Dr. Kristen Beall Watson, who held the position for six years before leaving to serve as Chief of Staff to the President at California State University, Bakersfield in August of this year.

Aaron is a Bakersfield native with over a decade of public service in the Federal government as well as several years in outside sales and professional golf. He joins the Community Foundation after serving for 4 years as U.S. Congressman Kevin McCarthy’s local Field Representative. He previously worked in Washington, D.C. for the House Armed Services Committee and U.S. Congresswoman Martha McSally.  “I am excited and humbled that the Board has selected me”, said Falk.  “I returned to Kern County from Washington because I wanted to know that my work would have a positive impact on my hometown, and the Community Foundation is a perfect fit.”

“Aaron is an excellent choice for this important role,” said Beall Watson. “His breadth of experience and connection to the community are key to leading Kern Community Foundation far into the future.”

The Kern Community Foundation, established in 1999, works directly with community philanthropists. The Community Foundation provides personalized services to help donors support a wide range of strategic and community initiatives. As a legislative staffer, Falk oversaw hundreds of programs across the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). His portfolio included over $1 trillion in annual budgeting. Aaron passed several laws protecting women in the U.S. military. “Strategic planning and competent execution are paramount to accomplishing great things,” said Falk. “Kern County is full of people with big hearts who seek to improve the quality of life for everyone, and I look forward to devoting myself to that cause.”

Falk holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara and has completed the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College as a civilian. He is currently pursuing his master’s in business administration at California State University, Bakersfield. He lives in Bakersfield with his wife Lauren and daughter Mia.

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