The award recognizes BHC-SK’s success at achieving health equity by improving community health in Arvin, Lamont, Weedpatch and Greenfield.
Congratulations to all of our BHC-SK partners, who have worked tirelessly for the past five years to make health happen in South Kern.
The community is invited to the first annual Cesar Chavez Day of Service to be held at Sunset Middle School located at 8301 Sunset Blvd. in Weedpatch on March 30 from 2-8 p.m. and Rexland Acres Park, 325 E. Fairview Rd. in Bakersfield on March 31 from 3-5 p.m. The events are hosted by Assemblymember Rudy Salas, the Latino Roundtable of Kern and Vineland School District.
Cesar Chávez Day is observed March 31, a holiday in the state of California and in other states across the U.S., communities across the country celebrate the life and legacy of civil rights leader César E. Chávez’ work through education, celebration, and service projects.
Wednesday, March 31, Sunset Middle School, 2 – 8 p.m.
Vineland School District, Assemblymember Rudy Salas and the Latino Roundtable of Kern are teaming up to host several activities in honor of César Chávez, which will include a school beautification project from 2-5 p.m., followed by a community dinner and screening of César Chávez the movie at 6 p.m.
Thursday, March 31, Rexland Acres Park, 3 – 5 p.m.
Assemblymember Rudy Salas and the Latino Roundtable of Kern will host the first annual César Chávez Day of Service, which will start with a community welcome and recognitions at 3 p.m., a park clean-up will follow at 3:30 p.m.
The Gay and Lesbian Center of Bakersfield’s Speak Up anti-bullying program will be hosting a Spring Social for LGBTQ youth and allies. The social will he held April 9, from 1 to 5 p.m., at 902 18th Street. The event is free.
For more information visit www.glcenterbak.org.
Building Healthy Communities- South Kern (BHC-SK) has opened its grant program, which awards up to $500 for projects that aim to improve community health in South Kern.
Grants to Build Healthy Communities
The Grants for Blocks Program will provide up to $500 in materials/supplies to groups of residents or youth from South Kern to complete projects that will improve our community.
What is Building Healthy Communities – South Kern?
Building Healthy Communities – South Kern is an effort to positively change the health of our communities through a shared vision, goals, and Action Plan. Residents, youth, businesses, and organizations in Arvin, Lamont, Weedpatch and the unincorporated areas of Greenfield are working together to make our communities healthier, and to create a brighter future for our children.
Who can apply for Grants to Build Healthy Communities?
Applications can be made by any group of residents, youth, or community partners such as parent groups, groups of neighbors, youth or student groups, or others. Groups should be from the communities of Arvin, Lamont, Weedpatch, or the unincorporated areas of Greenfield.
What can funds be used for?
Funds can be used for any project that would benefit the communities of Arvin, Lamont, Weedpatch, and the unincorporated areas of Greenfield. Funds can only be used for materials or supplies and not to pay for services or the time it takes to complete the projects. Projects must be completed by November 30, 2015.
What factors will be used to decide which projects are funded?
Projects will be scored based on showing that they are:
How do I apply for funding?
For more details about the grant or application process, or for any other questions, visit our website, www.healthysouthkern.org or contact Marina Ugues, BHC-SK Program Assistant at the Lamont/Weedpatch Family Resource Center, 661-845-2724, 7839 Burgundy Avenue, Lamont.
In late January, Lamont and Weedpatch residents who have been working on wastewater issues for the past five years had a chance to review and give input on the findings of an independent study of Lamont Public Utilities District’s (LPUD) plans.
The final report includes seven recommendations to reduce potential impacts of the current plan on the community and the environment. The reccomendations include, that Recology, the composting company that handles about one million gallons of wastewater, train staff on safe handling practices of treated wastewater and pesticides, participate in the National Biosolids Partnership, and use appropriate equipment to minimize water quality and quantity impacts. The report also recommends that Recology and LPUD engage the community in decisions that affect them.
Read a summary of the findings here.
[Read more from Eyewitness News’ Jose Gaspar: Lamont residents learn about wastewater ‘Plan B’]
Jesse Aguilar, a teacher at East Bakersfield High School and the vice president of the Kern High School District Teachers Association, wrote an op-ed that highlights the importance of implementing alternative discipline methods in our schools. Aguilar is also a member of BHC-SK’s Kern Education Justice Collaborative (KEJC).
The op-ed was published in the Bakersfield Californian on Feb. 1. Click on the link to read more.
Read more from the Bakersfield Californian: “Zero Tolerance = Zero Results”
Thanks to everyone who joined us to kick off our sixth annual Live the Challenge last month!
It’s still not too late to Live the Challenge with other South Kern residents who are making health happen in their community. Last year, over a thousand South Kern residents committed to make a healthy lifestyle change for 100 days and over 300 runners attended the Live the Challenge Run/Walk in April!
To get involved, think of a healthy change you are willing to make for 100 days for you or your community and click here to make it official!
For more information, please call 661-845-2724.
It’s still not too late to Live the Challenge with other South Kern residents who are making health happen in their community. Last year, over a thousand South Kern residents committed to make a healthy lifestyle change for 100 days and over 300 runners attended the Live the Challenge Run/Walk in April!
To get involved, think of a healthy change you are willing to make for 100 days for you or your community and click here to make it official!
For more information, please contact Maria Marina at 661-845-2724.
