Multiple nonprofits gathered at the Junior League of Bakersfield to receive enabling grants to help continue their commitment to the community. Bottom row from left: Executive Director of Garden Pathways Karen Goh, current President of Junior League Margaret Edmonston, Junior League member Corrine Coats, Junior League member Amanda Kammen. Row two from left: Fund Development Manager of Girl Scouts of Central California Rosie Schriver, President of Domestic Violence Advisory Council Glenda Love, Junior League member Cindy Hurly. Row three from left: Junior League member Melissa Brown, Junior League member Kelli Gruszka, Junior League member Kate Larson. Row four from left: Executive Director of M.A.R.E. Riding Center Deborah Durkan, Community Outreach Coordinator of Bakersfield Pregnancy Center Ann Alexander, Junior League member Jennifer Perfect, Community Outreach Coordinator of Bakersfield Pregnancy Center Edith McCormick. Photo by Natalie Green.

By Natalie Green, Marketing Chair for Junior League of Bakersfield

Junior League of Bakersfield is about fundraising and giving from the heart. Now we can also say we’re about cribs, helmets, performing arts programs and Girl Scouts.

The Junior League of Bakersfield has recently contributed more than $19,000 in enabling grants to The Bakersfield Pregnancy Center, Kern County Network for Children – Domestic Violence Advisory Council, M.A.R.E. Riding Center, Garden Pathways, Girl Scouts of America, The Bakersfield Community House and local high school foster students.

“It gives us great pleasure to see the hard earned fundraising dollar go towards helping to save women and children’s lives,” said Margaret Edmonston, current President of Junior League of Bakersfield. “In these challenging economic times we are so humbled to be able to help other nonprofits meet the needs of the community.”

In today’s state budget crisis the possibility of art education is limited and even more so for at-risk youth. With the grant to Garden Pathways, at-risk youth will have equal access to quality arts education, training and mentoring. The community performances expose at-risk youth and their families to new positive activities and encourage family involvement.

“The arts give expression to the creativity within all human beings,” said Karen Goh, the nonprofit’s executive director. “Junior League’s support of Garden Pathways brings enrichment and advancement through the arts to at-risk youth who otherwise would not have the opportunity.”

Glenda Love, president of the Domestic Violence Advisory Council, said this has been a record-breaking year with regard to domestic violence homicides in Kern County. She noted there have been 10 separate domestic violence incidents, resulting in 14 homicides thus far in 2009. With the donated funds the council will offer a free training by Dr. Jacquelyn C. Campbell to 100 participants on “Danger Assessment Tools” to assist those who work with victims and survivors of domestic violence.

The Bakersfield Pregnancy Center will also benefit greatly from the donation.

“Bakersfield Pregnancy Center has a waiting list of 47 clients in immediate need of a crib for their newborn or expectant baby, but we have only been able to give away six cribs this calendar year,” said Ann Alexander, the center’s community outreach coordinator. “With this grant we will be able to purchase eight quality cribs and mattresses for needy women and families with limited recourses.”

The Junior League of Bakersfield shares a vision of impacting the community through volunteerism and contributing to the well-being of individuals in the community with the focus on women and children. If your organization would like to receive information regarding the enabling grants please attend our Grant Writing Workshop Thursday, Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Junior League of Bakersfield Community Center, 1928 19th St. The workshop will help teach local nonprofits how to apply for the grants.

For more information on becoming a member of Junior League of Bakersfield please call 322-1671 or e-mail juniorleagueofbakersfield@hotmail.com.