Kern Futures - Scholarship Ceremonies | |
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This year, Kern Community Foundation awarded close to $300,000 in scholarships. KCF staff have been traveling to high schools all over Kern County, awarding scholarships to some of Kern County's best, brightest, and most deserving students. Our commitment to education and empowering young minds has been at the forefront of our mission, and we are honored to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these talented young adults. Angie, Donor and Foundation Services Coordinator reminds the scholarship recipients, "we do not get you to college, we get you through college". Through these scholarships, we aim to alleviate financial burdens, inspire ambition, and create opportunities for these students to pursue their dreams.
Each visit to a high school has been a remarkable and rewarding experience, filled with anticipation and excitement. We have witnessed the passion and dedication of countless students who have worked tirelessly to excel academically and positively impact their communities. Seeing their faces light up when they receive the news that they have been chosen as scholarship recipients is inspiring. These visits have allowed us to engage with bright young minds, learn about their aspirations, and share in their joy as they embark on the next chapter of their educational journey. We believe that investing in their education today will shape a brighter future for Kern County and beyond.
Congrats to the Class of 2023!
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Kern Community Foundation celebrated the grand reopening of Walmart store #1574 in Bakersfield. KCF was honored to receive a generous grant from Walmart, which will enable us to further our mission of supporting and uplifting the local community through impactful initiatives and programs. This donation will be going towards Give Big Kern 2024 to support our local nonprofits. | |
Congratulations, Daniela! | |
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Congratulations to our Project Specialist, Daniela Gonzalez, who graduated with a Masters in Business Administration degree from California State University, Bakersfield, on May 19th.
Daniela's dedication, hard work, and commitment have paid off. We are thrilled to celebrate this significant achievement with her and excited to witness her apply her skills and insights here at KCF.
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Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP) | |
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The past few weeks have been eventful for the BYJP team as they actively engaged with our community and continued the mission of youth workforce development. They were delighted to participate in the East Bakersfield Festival, a wonderful fundraiser organized for Children First. Their team had a fantastic time connecting with community members, showcasing their initiatives, and sharing employment opportunities.
The talented City Hall Fellows recently attended a City Council meeting as part of their workshop series. Not only did they gain valuable insights into local governance, but they also had the opportunity to connect with our esteemed Mayor Goh. The interaction proved to be an invaluable experience, fostering a deeper understanding of the community's needs and providing a platform for fruitful discussions on collaborative initiatives. The dedicated nonprofit interns have been actively participating in workshops tailored to enhance their skills and the team remains committed to equipping them with the necessary tools for a successful career in our community.
BYJP is excited to announce that they are currently in the process of hiring interns for the City summer jobs: the City Hall Summer Internship and the Parks Mobile Recreation Internship. They are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new hires, who will be joining the team in June. These internships provide unique opportunities for young individuals to gain practical experience, contribute to meaningful projects, and positively impact our community. For more information (Click Here).
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Kern Connected Community Network | |
On Thursday, June 22, the Kern Connected Community Network will be hosting its first in-person nonprofit spotlight from 10 AM - 12 PM. First Presbyterian, Keepers Transformation House, and Kern Region Transit will briefly present their current programs. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP with Teems at Fatima@kernfoundation.org. Space is limited. The meeting will be located at City Centre, 1300 17th Street, Room D1.
For more information on KCCN (Click Here). If you would like to get connected to community resources (Click Here).
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Peter Anthony Catholic Education Scholarship | |
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The Peter Anthony Catholic Education Scholarship was established in 2017 to provide tuition assistance to qualifying students for Catholic education in Kern County.
This scholarship is now open until July 15, 2023.
This scholarship opportunity is open to students/families who fulfill the following criteria:
- Active and practicing Catholics as verified by the parish pastor
- Demonstrate financial need as verified by Kern Community Foundation
- Attend or plan to enroll in a Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)-accredited K-12 Catholic school in Kern County
- Complete the Peter Anthony Catholic Education Scholarship application through Kern Community Foundation with all materials by the deadline.
For more information or assistance, please contact Angie Griffith at 661.325.5346 or write to Angela@kernfoundation.org.
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Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Kern County (ADAKC) | |
The Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Kern County, Inc. (ADAKC) is celebrating 40 years as a local non-profit on June 23, 2023. June is also Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month. Every year, ADAKC hosts the annual Caring for the Caregiver event bringing together the best in Bakersfield to support all the needs of caregivers on the Alzheimer’s journey. We’re grateful to Dignity Health and Special Needs Department for their Presenting Sponsorship and are seeking additional sponsors and vendors to participate in our Vendor Fair. The virtual event will be on Friday, June 16 on Facebook Live and then we invite the community to come out to the in-person event on Saturday from 8 am to noon at ADAKC on the Rose Lazzerini Campus. It’s a “one-stop shop” for caregivers with education, legal options, placement, hospice, wellness, nutrition, and self-care activities. For more information, call us at (661) 665-8871 or email events@adakc.org. | |
In this section of our newsletter, we tell the inspiring stories behind our scholarship funds and share the heartfelt journeys of the individuals and organizations that have established these funds to empower and encourage aspiring students in their educational pursuits. | |
Dr. Richard P. Pierucci Scholarship | |
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Dr. Pierucci served Norris School District for 36 years! From a History teacher to associate superintendent, his tireless diligence, intelligence, and modesty won him respect from all. Students, parents, and colleagues marveled at his ability to identify and nurture potential in others, especially children and teachers.
His family established the Dr. Richard P. Pierucci Scholarship Fund in his honor to carry on his spirit and encourage students to "do the right thing when no one is looking."
This scholarship benefits Norris Middle School students specifically. Through a selection process conducted by the staff of Norris, a graduating student is promised the scholarship that totals $5,000 as an eighth grader, and awarded the scholarship upon high school graduation. The scholarship awards $1,000 during the freshman, sophomore, and junior years, and $2,000 is awarded during senior year.
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NEW REGISTERED NONPROFITS | |
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Nonprofits registered with Kern Community Foundation, did you know you have access to post events on the Community Calendar? Nonprofits can post straight to the Community Calendar by logging into their Partner Access account. To request Partner Access, please contact info@kernfoundation.org.
Community members, did you know Kern Community Foundation has a Community Calendar? To make it easier for you to stay in the loop, KCF created a Community Calendar that lists all upcoming nonprofit events, including workshops, galas, and marathons, as well as volunteer opportunities. To check out the upcoming events (Click Here).
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