hsk-news, stories, Uncategorized March 7, 2017 0

Best Selling Author Jonathan Kozol Shines a Light on Education Inequality, March 25

Building Healthy Communities South Kern, CSU Bakersfield’s Social Justice Center and the Kern Rural Teacher Residency will host best-selling author Jonathan Kozol as he leads future and current educators and advocates in a discussion about educational inequality and racial justice.

Kozol, in his latest book, ‘Savage Inequalities,” brings into question the reality of equal opportunity in the country’s public education system.

The free event takes place Saturday, March 25 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Cal State Bakersfield’s Dore Theatre, 9000 Stockdale Hwy. Free parking is available in Lots B and C. Please click here to register for the event.

hsk-news, stories, Uncategorized March 7, 2017 0

Arvin Action Park Grand Opening, March 22

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The newly constructed action park in DiGiorgio Park is almost complete and ready for area youth to enjoy. Please join us for the grand opening of Arvin’s newest youth attraction to be held at DiGiorgio Park in Arvin on Friday, March 24 at 4:00 p.m.

After months of advocating for a skate park, Arvin youth who participate in Bike Bakersfield’s Arvin bike kitchen, will soon see their dream become a reality.

Building youth leaders and creating safe places for youth is one of Building Healthy Communities South Kern’s priorities. And this park is an example of how community organizations can work together with local government to help build youth leadership.

Parks also help improve health outcomes. According to Kern County Network for Children’s 2016 Report Card, in Kern, “25.5 percent of 5th graders, 23.8 percent of 7th graders and 20.8 percent of 9th graders were in the high-risk category for body composition.”

The skate park was made possible thanks to a partnership between the City of Arvin, Bike Bakersfield, Tony Hawk Foundation, Mountain Side Disposal, and Building Healthy Communities South Kern.

BHC-SK applauds the City of Arvin for listening and wanting to engage youth in the design process. This partnership proves the rewarding results for a community when community groups work together with local government to create opportunities for young people.

hsk-news, stories, Uncategorized March 7, 2017 0

Cancer Patient Recounts How Obamacare Saved His Life

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By Diana Cisneros

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Enrique Sanchez, 49, still remembers July 14, 2015. That was the date when laboratory tests confirmed what the trucker had: multiple myeloma.

It’s a cancer formed by plasma cells that have turned malignant. Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system. Few cases of the disease are linked to risk factors that can be avoided, so there is no known way to prevent most multiple myelomas from developing.

The disease weakens the kidneys and bones. At the time of his diagnosis, Sanchez’s kidneys were functioning at 12 percent capacity. He developed a C-2 vertebral fracture because of which he couldn’t return to work, which resulted in an end to his employer-sponsored health benefits.

Sanchez’s life became a nightmare. He was jobless, had limited mobility and endless pain. Paying his medical bills and supporting his wife and three children, all of whom were in college, became very challenging.

As Sanchez transitioned into an unfamiliar world of medical jargon, he said he became scared. He feared what the future held for him.

Read more here.

hsk-news, stories March 7, 2017 0

Call to Action For a Healthy Kern Summit, March 15 & 16

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Kern County community leaders interested in learning about enhancing access to health in Kern are invited to attend Kern’s 2017 Call to Action Summit. To be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bakersfield on March 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on March 16 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Participants will have the opportunity to tour Arvin or McFarland and engage with various stakeholders and community leaders who are working to provide a safe and healthy environment for their residents.

To register for the event, please click here. For additional information call Tammy Fisher at (661) 321-3000.

hsk-news, stories, Uncategorized March 6, 2017 0

State Senate Health Committee Hearing Held in Bakersfield

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On Thursday, Jan. 19 the County of Kern hosted the State Senate Health Committee where members heard from public health organizations and residents about the human and economic impacts of the Medi-Cal expansion should it be repealed.
“Thanks for giving Kern residents the opportunity to tell you about the impact the Affordable Care Act has had in our lives,” said Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez during the hearing.
The California Endowment’s Dr. Tony Iton, also addressed the committee during public comment. He spoke about the devastating consequences a repeal would have on human health.
“It could be a devastating decision for Americans with mental illness,” said Dr. Iton. “Not the time to dismantle the health care safety net anywhere, particularly for a population that desperately needs it.”
[Click here to watch Bakersfield Now’s coverage of the hearing: ‘State senator holds hearing in Bakersfield on ramifications of repealing ACA’]
hsk-news, stories March 5, 2017 0

KEJC Launches LCFF Awareness Campaign

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Building Healthy Communities South Kern’s Kern Education Justice Collaborative has launched a campaign to inform residents about the Local Control Funding Formula and encourage parents to give feedback on the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). The LCAP details the districts’ annual goals and details how funds will be spend to increase or improve services for students.

The KHSD has millions of dollars to use to help low-income students, foster youth and English Language Learners. Join us in telling the KHSD to stop focusing on guns and help our students graduate and get ready for their future.

Recently, the Kern High School District (KHSD) voted to allow teachers to carry handguns on campus, a vote in November that community members say was politics at its worst. The board held the meeting at unusual date and time, and chose to put their personal political agendas ahead of students’ needs.

For more information about this effort or to get involved, please call the KEJC at (661) 322-3033.

hsk-news February 5, 2017 0

Hundreds Of Residents Will Ask City Leaders To Make Arvin a Sanctuary City

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, Arvin residents, clergy, and community leaders will hold a press in front of the Arvin City Hall at 5:30 p.m. to ask city leaders to make Arvin a sanctuary city.

Declaring Arvin a sanctuary city will not only help limit the collaboration between local law enforcement and ICE (Immigrations Customs Enforcement), but it will also send a strong message to the people of Arvin that lets them know that they are welcome.
Recently, Arvin City Council voted down a motion that would declare Arvin a sanctuary city, and opted for drafting a weaker resolution that would provide some protection.
“We need to push more strongly for sanctuary by asking for them to pass a stronger ordinance,” says Josth Stenner of Faith in the Valley Kern County. “The policy the council voted on isn’t strong enough, because it’s a resolution, and Arvin needs an ordinance which essentially has more teeth, it’s more legally binding.”
After the press conference the group will address the Arvin City Council at 6 p.m. during the regularly scheduled meeting.
When: Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Arvin City Hall, 200 Campus Dr., Arvin, CA

Who: Faith in The Valley Kern County, Dolores Huerta Foundation, UFW Foundation, The Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment, Building Healthy Communities South Kern, residents, students, clergy

 

 

 

hsk-news January 11, 2017 0

Fight for our Health Vigil, Jan. 20

hsk-news January 10, 2017 0

FAFSA & Dream Act Application Workshop, Jan. 21

On January 21, Youth 2 Leaders Education Foundation will be holding a Financial Aid workshop for local high school students interested in attending college.

Local experts will be helping students apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Dream Act Application during the workshop. Students should bring their 2015 tax returns and social security number if they have one as well as their parent’s 2015 tax return and their social security number.

The workshop will be held on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Larry E. Reider Building, 2000 K street. in Bakersfield.

Please call Youth 2 Leaders for more information at (661) 376-0311.

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