Jenny Frank puts firsthand experience and empathy into action. Best known in Kern County as a leading advocate for local veterans, the Bakersfield native’s official title at Bakersfield College is “Manager of Veterans Services and Programs.” Her caring spirit shines at work and outside of it as a professional working to serve others, co-founder of a nonprofit, a mother and grandmother.

“The most important detail about me is the love I have for my children and grandchildren. Besides my love for family, I have an immense passion for helping the veterans of our community,” said Jenny. “I constantly look for ways to help veterans, whether they are seeking resources or are in need of guidance to help them successfully transition from military to civilian life. I served in the Marine Corps and know how important it is to be able to connect to that part of myself and the available resources.”

After traveling throughout her time of service with the Marine Corps, Jenny returned to Bakersfield in 1997. She was working as a county employee when the housing market crash prompted a career shift with the Department of Veterans Affairs as a veteran outreach program specialist.

“The people we feel most comfortable with — and sometimes, the only people we can be around — is with other vets. Our goal is to help them transition from military service to civilian life,” Jenny explained. “The military takes care of everything five days a week. Everything is in that community, which is in a way, an island unto itself; it allows them to do their duty without thinking of how to fix life issues. When our veterans' transition to civilian life, families have to navigate how to get insurance, how to find a job and interview for it, how to get credit and so much more. They have to learn how to feel at home when they have not been at home.”

Jenny describes her role helping veterans and their dependents as an honor. That willingness to find solutions continues beyond connecting the dots on higher education and extends to all that veterans need.  In addition to her military service, Jenny’s previous role focusing heavily on mental health and current role in higher education lend an informed perspective that characterizes her life, work and independent outreach efforts.

Along with her husband Ben Patten, she co-founded and continues to lead the Armed Forces Support Foundation in memory of a beloved friend, local veteran, community organizer and mentor, Vernon Valenzuela. A transcribed quote attributed to him ends every email she sends: “Never doubt your ability to make a difference or the importance of your pursuit, we are not powerless unless we quit.”

“There is nothing better than seeing our student veterans complete their education and walk across the stage at commencement,” said Jenny. “Through the Armed Forces Support Foundation, we just do what we can. We find somebody who is the expert to help. Everyone is a volunteer. Our board is made up of people who strive for veterans and we keep putting on events to help and leverage the community’s support. Kern County is so veteran-cen

tric and there is something every person can do to help.”

Jenny suggests friends and neighbors consider what they know how to do and share it with veterans.

“Ask what your piece of the puzzle is. If you have some piece of the puzzle, offer that in kind as a way to help. If not, become involved in organizations that are dedicated to helping,” said Jenny.

When not working to aid veterans, Jenny can be found with her four grown children, all of whom live at home through happy circumstances: Kayla, 30, Emilee, 27, Bryson, 25, and Xander, 19. She is the proud grandmother of Taylor, 11, Karla, 7, and Carlos, 4.

“I am blessed beyond measure to have such a talented and loving family,” said Jenny. “It is always exciting to see what they are doing and be a part of their lives.”

Jenny has, without a doubt, made a tremendous impact in so many lives throughout Kern County.