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| Christmas Comes Early to Rexland Acres, Nearly
$6 Million To Improve Neighborhood
After months of hard work and dedica
tion, advocates successfully worked with the state to bring $5.6 million dollars to Rexland acres to build sidewalks, improve streets and add more lights.
A broad coalition of advocates, including Leadership Counsel, California Walks, Greenfield Walking Group, Fairview School, parents, and youth say these are necessary projects because they will help keep students safe.
Youth played a key in role in lifting up this issue in their community. Jocelyn Cuevas, 17, a member of the Greenfield Walking Group first shed light on this issue through a commentary she wrote for South Kern Sol. Jose Pinto, 21, also a member of the Greenfield Walking Group, helped mobilize youth to walk door to door to collect signatures.
The money is part of the California Transportation Commission for the Statewide and Small Urban & Rural Components of the 2017 Active Transportation Program,
a program that seeks to improve health outcomes and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in disadvantaged communities by encouraging walking and biking.
Improvements include, storm drain lines to fix Rexland Acres flooding problems, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, three all-way stops to reduce traffic speeds to 25 mph, new speed limit signs, street lights, and a solar-powered flashing stop sign in front of Fairview School.
The application for Rexland Acres was well regarded by the state. It ranked No. 13 out of 456 applications received.
Final approval is expected in December, once the Commission adopts the program recommendations.
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Healing Together in Kern
By Randy Villegas
Last week, about 50 residents and leaders from Kern County took part in a training led by the National Compadres Network (NCN). The training entitled La Cultura Cura translates to "The Culture Heals," focuses on teaching the importance of recognizing how cultural values and traditions often have an impact on an individual's behavior.
"Traditions and gifts are carried on through generations. However, sometimes baggage and emotional trauma can also be passed on as well. Rather than give society's response of incarcerating, medicating, isolating, and negating the 'bad kids,'" said Mario Ozuna, the facilitator of the training. "We should strive to understand what happened to a person do disconnect them from their sacredness."
The training, which brought together youth mentors, nonprofit organizers, behavioral specialist, and students from local schools was made possible with support from Building Healthy Communities South Kern.
Visit
South Kern Sol to read more.
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Kern High School District Will Allow Teachers, Staff to Carry Guns on Campus
By Chris Romo
At a recent session of the Kern High School District Board of Trustees, members decided in a 3-2 vote to allow teachers and staff to carry concealed firearms on district property.
The meeting, held last Thursday, comes just months after the board voted to allow non-district employees who have a concealed weapons permit to carry firearms on campus.
Opponents of the move, including a number of local advocacy groups, say it will only put students and staff at more risk.
"This decision ... is going to put teacher's and kid's lives in danger," said Tom Russell, a retired police officer and former teacher. "We should not let just any untrained person go running around with a gun living some 'cowboy save the day' fantasy. There are actual lives on the line and I'm not sure the board really understands that."
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Healing Circle Keeper Training, Dec. 6 & 7
On Dec. 6 & 7, The National Compadres Network will be back in Kern, this time to hold a two day Healing Circle Keeper Training for individuals interested in holding circles of support, healing, and leadership development in their communities.
Attendees must be present on both days to receive certification and curriculum.
The trainings will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The location is to be determined. For registration information please email Angel Munoz at amunoz@lesd.us.
Click
here for more information.
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Webinar: Communications 101
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About Us
Building Healthy Communities is a comprehensive community initiative that is creating a revolution in how Californians think about and support health in their communities.
More than 2,500 residents, youth, businesses and organizations are leading the BHC-SK effort to improve the health of our communities through a shared vision, goals and action plan. Residents in Arvin, Lamont, Weedpatch, and the unincorporated areas of Greenfield are proving that we have the power to make health happen in our communities.
BHC-SK is promoting healthy change in the areas of:
- Education: Improving education from pre-K through adult education
- Environment: Creating a healthy environment with clean air and water
- Health Access: Increasing access to a better health care system
- Recreation: Improving recreational activities, facilities and parks
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We have the power to build healthy communities for the next generation.
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La Cultura Cura, Healing Circle Keeper Training
Click
here
for more information!
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