Kern Inyo Mono Central Labor Council

KIM CLC is an association of various unions representing workers in various industries and sectors. Having labors voice at the table is critical in ensuring equitable economic development is achieved in Kern County. By having labor, community, business, and education coming together we can achieve historic changes and investments in underserved communities.

In order for Kern County to continue its growth we must look at other industries outside of agriculture and fossil fuels. Through this initiative we have an opportunity to create the blueprint for future high-quality jobs for our communities. The state and federal government is looking to Kern on the template for true and equitable economic development with a worker centered approach.

Community Action Partnership of Kern

CAPK is proud to be a part of the CERF regional application and to serve as a co-convener among the many distinguished partners. Our role allows us to represent our clients and low-income communities, as well as the social service sector with many of us reaching all parts of the county through direct services and strategic access points.

This collaborative approach helps to ensure there is an inclusive method to addressing the core intent of the CERF grant in building a more sustainable and resilient economy in Kern County with equitable access to quality jobs in maintainable industries.

As Kern County’s official anti-poverty agency, we are committed to ensuring that the people we serve, and the most disadvantaged neighborhoods and communities in Kern, can participate in this process. Kern County gets stronger when we grow and innovate together.

B3K Prosperity

B3K’s purpose is to pursue inclusive economic development and create 100,000 more Quality Jobs in the Bakersfield-Kern County region by 2031, so that we can halve the number of children in struggling families. Achieving that goal requires investing in all five drivers of economic development: traded sectors, talent, innovation, infrastructure and governance. Participating in the CERF grant application process is a priority for B3K, as CERF will help provide funds for investment in these five drivers.

CERF is a significant opportunity for public investment in the five drivers of economic development. Addressing these five drivers will help realize B3K’s goal of 100,000 more Quality Jobs in our region.

Kern Community College District

The twin goals of economic and workforce development identified in the CERF grant, supported by a coalition, are not new initiatives for Kern CCD. Kern CCD’s workforce development philosophy is buttressed by collaboration and a clear understanding of whom it serves—the top 100% of Kern County.

With this understanding of the deeply entrenched poverty in some of our region’s rural and urban areas, the CERF grant furthers the Kern CCD goal of partnering with others like the Kern Coalition to serve all learners.

Bringing this equitable, diverse, and inclusive coalition together is going to bring more resources to those who need it the most--that’s going to be seismic; it’s going to effect generational poverty, so it’s about impacting the community.

CERF has developed an enduring infrastructure to build upon that ensures disinvested communities have access to good quality jobs with family sustainable wages in order to thrive. CERF is about a community-wide socioeconomic uplift that begins with CERF funding but opens the door wide open to advance the vision of shared prosperity.

Building Healthy Communities (BHC) Kern County

Building Healthy Communities is a comprehensive community initiative that is creating a revolution in the way Californians think about and support health in their communities. Residents are proving that they can make health happen in their neighborhoods, schools and with prevention—and in doing so, they are creating a brighter future for their children. Over 1,200 residents, youth, businesses and organizations are leading the Building Healthy Communities (BHC) South Kern effort to positively change the health of our communities through a shared vision, goals and action plan. Residents in Arvin, Lamont, Weedpatch and the unincorporated areas of Greenfield are proving that we have the power to make health happen in our communities. BHC Kern County is promoting healthy change in the areas of:

• Education: Improving education from pre-K through adulthood
• Environment: Creating a healthy environment with clean air and water
• Health Access: Increasing access to a better health care system
• Recreation: Improving recreational activities, facilities and parks

As an organization dedicated to 'Thru unity, we promote responsible and meaningful programs that are designed to educate'; the African-American Network of Kern County is proud to partner with the Kern Community College District on the Kern Community Economic Resilience Fund, Kern CCD will bring together stakeholders from across the region to build an equitable strategy for workforce and economic development.

- Dee Slade, President/Executive Director
African-American Network of Kern County

The City of Wasco is committed to partnering with Kern CCD in applying for the Community Economic Resilience Fund. The idea is to use CERF funding to come up with action steps on how to better serve our disinvested rural communities. Our relationships and knowledge, in conjunction with Kern CCD’s resources and influence, will prove to be an invaluable asset to our communities.
It is only fitting that we give rural community members the opportunity to feel represented as best we can. We strongly urge other organizations in the Kern region to support Kern CCD as the core convenor and fiscal agent for CERF.

- M. Scott Hurlbert
City Manager, City of Wasco

An organization dedicated to the health, welfare and safety of its citizens; the City of Arvin is proud to partner with the Kern Community College District on building a new junior college campus of KCCD in the City of Arvin. We firmly believe that as the fiscal agent and core convenor for the Community Economic Resilience Fund, Kern CCD will bring together stakeholders from across the region to build an equitable strategy for workforce and economic development.

- Jeff Jones
City Manager, City of Arvin

As an organization dedicated to lessening the disparities associated with Black concerning their total well-being, is proud to partner with the Kern Community College District on Community Economic Resilience Fund. We firmly believe that as the fiscal agent and core convenor for the Community Economic Resilience Fund, Kern CCD will bring together stakeholders from across the region to build an equitable strategy for workforce and economic development.

- Glenda Woolfolk
CEO/President, No Sister Left Behind

As an organization dedicated to honoring and preserving Filipino culture and heritage, educating the public about Filipino culture, and encouraging the sharing and learning of other cultures as well, Philippine Weekend, Inc is proud to partner with the Kern Community College District on CERF. We firmly believe that as the fiscal agent and core convenor for the Community Economic Resilience Fund, Kern CCD will bring together stakeholders from across the region to build an equitable strategy for workforce and economic development.

- Christine Yahya
Director, Philippine Weekend