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.
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.
The power of paint is being put to the test in Rexland Acres Park and it’s not too late to become involved with this amazing project, which aims to bring the community, especially youth, to take ownership of the park.
“The theme of the mural is racial unity. We hope that this mural is something that the community can identify with,” said Gerald Cantu, one of the organizers of the project.
Bakersfield’s renowned artist, Jorge Guillen is creating the mural that youth will come together to paint.
The mural is being led by the Dolores Huerta Foundation, HOPE Now, and the Greenfield Walking Group as part of Building Healthy Communities South Kern’s work in recreation.
Call Gerald Cantu at (661) 322-3033 for more information.
Join us for the first Central Table Meeting of the year, where we will share our our work plan for this year with the community and kick off our annual ‘Live the Challenge!’
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!’
The Central Table Meeting will be held, Thursday, Jan. 28, at Sunset School in Weedpatch from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Transportation is available.
For more information about the meeting please contact Marina at 661-845-2724 or click here.
South Kern Sol, Staff
With just day until the close of Covered California open enrollment, community groups have come together to help Kern residents enroll by the January 31 deadline.
The groups, held their first enrollment event last Saturday at East Hills mall and enrolled about 90 families.
The next enrollment event will be held tomorrow, Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Valley Plaza Mall.
Residents are encouraged to stop by and learn about their options for health coverage. Certified application counselors will be onsite to help those who qualify enroll.
The group will be having their last enrollment event on Jan. 31 at the Mercy Conference Center at 1600 D Street in Bakersfield from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The events are being put together by the Community Health Initiative of Kern and sponsored by Kern Family Health Care and Building Healthy Communities South Kern, with the support of Certified Application Counselor partners, and multiple other Health Care partners.
For more information, please call Emily Hernandez at (661) 632-5005 or (661) 747-6606 or visit www.coveredca.com.
