Season of Giving: Community comes together to renovate library at Boys & Girls Club of Kern County

It’s the season of giving — giving to the less fortunate, giving to our Kern County community, and giving thanks.

At Chain | Cohn | Clark, philanthropy and giving back is a year-round mission, whether it’s giving out free safety helmets and bicycle lights to bicyclist throughout Kern County, supporting MADD Kern County who assists innocent victims of DUI crashes and fights against DUI crimes, or taking disadvantaged youth back-to-school shopping.

This Thanksgiving season, Chain | Cohn | Clark would like to highlight a special project at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County administered by Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Bakersfield, a professional development program that enhances leadership skills and introduces participants to diverse sector of Kern County. The law firm’s own marketing director Jorge Barrientos was a part of this project, and Chain | Cohn | Clark served as a sponsor.

Learn more about the amazing community project below:

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Leadership Bakersfield Team 1 has unveiled a renovated, revitalized and updated library at the east Bakersfield branch of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County that will provide a safe learning environment for years to come.

The room is used by students to study, read, finish homework, and receive tutoring assistance. It is also used to provide English as a Second Language services for children and adults alike.

The room had not been updated in more than 15 years due to lack of funding from grants and donations to renovate the room. Chairs and desks were run down, the floor was badly stained, book shelves were missing, and cabinets were deteriorating. Valuable counter space was limited, and ceiling tiles were water stained and breaking apart. Windows were covered by student art to prevent pedestrians from looking in and disrupting activities.

Among the renovations and conversion from a library into a multi-purpose room, Leadership Bakersfield Team 1 painted the room, brought in 30 new chairs along with a moving cart and foldable classroom tables for student workspaces, polished and revitalized flooring, installed new ceiling tiles, installed decals on the windows and walls, organized materials, and installed a mural.

“The project will undoubtedly benefit children and adults from Bakersfield needing a safe place to learn,” Leadership Bakersfield Team 1 said in a statement. “We believe the renovations made to this room will help provide a world-class experience, and adhere to the mission and vision of the Boys & Girls Club.”

The local chapter of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County is the largest in the nation, serving 7,200 kids each day, with its main operating site in Kern County being on Niles Street. The clubs serve children from all walks of life, with most children coming from families of low socioeconomic backgrounds. The club also has a special outreach program for children residing in homeless shelters and foster care. The club’s vision is to provide a world-class club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who walks through their doors. The club does this by offering support, programs and a safe and healthy environment to prosper and thrive.

The project was made possible through donations and support from Kern Federal Credit Union, Bakersfield Association of Realtors, Chain | Cohn | Clark, Gary & Tanya Carruesco Realtors, Wells Acoustics, HealthSouth, Kern Schools Federal Credit Union, Trans-West Security, and Stinson’s, who provided and donated all of the furniture for the room.

Leadership Bakersfield Team 1 participants include Rebecca Aceves, Tamara Baker, Jorge Barrientos, Lori Brackett, Gary Carruesco, Aaron Flores, Kristen Hartsell, Miranda Whitworth, and advisor Patricia Marquez.

The group unveiled the room during an open-house ceremony attended by Leadership Bakersfield group members, Boys & Girls Club representatives, supporters, and local dignitaries.

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MEDIA COVERAGE

• Renovated multipurpose room unveiled at Kern County Boys & Girls Club (KBAK/KBFX 29-58, CBS/FOX – June 9, 2017)