Refrigerator Door: Registration Opens for Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County Workforce Readiness Program
by Thygerson Vaun
by Thygerson Vaun
Jan 30, 2025
Local high school teens (ages 15-18) can register for the 2025 Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County Workforce Readiness Program for that will run from February 24 through May 9. Participants will meet at the E.L. Jack and Monica Armstrong Youth Center, 801 Niles Street, one day per week from 5 to 6:30 pm. After the training, the teens will have the opportunity for a paid internship with local employers as part of the Summer Jobs Program from June 9 through July 11.
Employers provide interns with mentorship and hands-on experience in various occupations. The interns work at their internship site for five weeks (after attending one week of youth employee onboarding). On Fridays, they participate in professional development that includes financial literacy; business, dining, and cell phone etiquette; First Aid, CPR & AED; and food handler certification. The Summer Jobs Program brings the benefits of job training to youth and businesses in Kern County.
Since 2013, nearly 2,000 local teens have received workforce training skills, and 434 teens have received a paid summer job by participating in the Club’s Workforce Readiness Program. Program sponsors: Bank of America, Taco Bell Foundation, and US Bank. Registration forms are available online at www.bgckc.org/summerjobsprogram and close on Friday, February 14.
Kern County Awarded Local Immigrant Integration and Inclusion Grant
Kern County was recently awarded grant funding from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development for the Local Immigrant Integration and Inclusion Grant (LIIIG) to implement a comprehensive course for immigrant entrepreneurs who want to start or grow a business. This funding is in partnership with FIELD (Farmworker Institute of Education and Leadership Development) and the Bakersfield College Launchpad.
Kern County and FIELD’s Career Technical Pathway in Business Management will utilize $250,000 to support a tailored program aimed at enhancing the entrepreneurial skills of immigrant residents and improving their quality of life. If interested, please visit https://www.kerncounty.com/government/county-administrative-office/cao/economic-development/pathways-to-prosperity.
CSUB’s Walter W. Stiern Library Receives Diversity Award
This is the first time the library applied for and received the LEAD Award. CSUB Dean of University Libraries Sandra Bozarth says, “Receiving this recognition truly underscores our efforts. Often, the library is perceived as merely a place to study or borrow books but an acknowledgement like this highlights our work and serves as a powerful reminder of our purpose here.”
For more information, please visit https://news.csub.edu/walter-w-stiern-library-receives-diversity-award.
Ridgecrest Teacher Wins National Teaching Award
Washington is celebrated for her ability to create meaningful relationships with her students while fostering academic success. Her creative approach to teaching helps students see their potential beyond challenges. She was nominated for the Honored Award by one of her students, Ty Pinchem, and Ty’s mom Jocelin. Ty’s passion for football has become a foundation for his academic growth. He shared, “Ms. Washington would incorporate football and learning to make information click. For me, she would say that if I practice football to get better, that is the same with school. It made me look at school different.”
For more information about Honored, visit honored.org. To nominate a teacher, visit honored.org/nominate.
Magdalene Hope celebrates its grand opening of the Bakersfield Women’s Center, marking a significant step in its mission to empower and support women in the community, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce. The Bakersfield Women’s Center provides a safe space for women to access resources and support designed to help them thrive. Their mission strives to bring awareness of the social justice issues of human trafficking while educating women of the grace, hope, healing, and freedom in faith.
“We are proud to open the doors to a space dedicated to helping women reclaim their lives and discover their potential,” says Magdalene Hope’s founder Dr. Bennett. “This center is the realization of years of commitment to improving the lives of women and fostering a stronger, more compassionate community. Magdalene Hope is committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of women by providing resources, support, and advocacy. Together, we can build a community where every woman feels valued, empowered, and safe.”
For more information about their new women’s center, upcoming events, and mission, please visit www.MagdaleneHope.org.
