It takes a community to raise kids

It all starts in the home. That’s what I often hear when people talk about the best place to prepare our children for success.
Yes, they are right to a certain degree.
But I also believe it takes a bigger circle to guide our children, including extended relatives, our kids’ teachers, and community groups.

One great local example is the Hispanic Excellence Scholarship Fund, or HESF. A Cal State Bakersfield initiative, HESF began 25 years ago as a way to increase enrollment of Latino students at the campus and provide financial support to high-performing talent.
Their board membership is impressive: Ed Herrera, owner of Herrera Insurance Agency; Cal State President Dr. Horace Mitchell; and Arvin High School Principal Blanca Cavazos, to name a few.

I attended the recent 2009 HESF scholarship award dinner at the DoubleTree Hotel. Kern County Superintendent of Schools Christine Lizardi Frazier was the keynote speaker and shared a sincere personal story of success and handy advice for the succeeding in college.
Nearly 70 CSUB students were recognized as HESF recipients. In all, HESF awarded approximately $130,000 in scholarships this year. That deserves a special thanks to local businesses that, even in this tough economic year, found ways to support this worthy cause.
Cal State’s HESF has given more than $2 million during its span.
Wow.

People help youth in different ways. Businesses donate needed dollars. People volunteer to mentor and kids, well, help each other.

When I think about that, I think of people like Kern County Sheriff’s Department Senior Deputy Derek Brannan.
Brannan helps run the East Bakersfield Sheriff’s Activities League, which reaches children living in the surrounding neighborhoods. He gets strong volunteer support from his wife, April, and their four children, Baylee, Breaker, Beau and Birdy.

Right now, they are spreading the word about a car-wash fundraiser to be held this weekend that would benefit the East Bakersfield SAL Stars football program.
The football program is made up of three teams and reaches about 60 children, third- through seventh-graders. About eight of the players are girls.

There’s Frances, one of the sweetest girls I’ve ever met, and then there’s chatty, always happy twin girls Zulma and Cynthia. The three girls can be fierce on the playing field.
There’s also the funny and friendly Josh who, with his quiet and hard-working brother, Jaelyne, are powerful forces with the ball. And did I mention Daisjahn and Adam? Talk about talent, both on offensive and defensive lines.

I could go on since I’ve had the opportunity to meet these amazing kids. My husband, Julio, and other deputies, including Sgt. Danny Edgerly, are part of the team of coaches. My oldest two boys, Diego and Mateo, play with these youngsters, some whom they consider their good friends.
Brannan tells me the car wash money will go toward football gear (mouth pieces, socks and such), snacks, transportation (he usually transports the players to and from practice and games), laundry (washing the kids’ uniforms), and more.

The car wash will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at two locations: the East Bakersfield Sheriff’s Substation, 1700 Flower St., just west of Kern Medical Center, and the Kern County Sheriff’s Department’s headquarters, 1350 Norris Road, just west of Airport Drive.
Tickets are being sold in advance. The cost is $3, cars and $5, trucks. If you want to purchase one, call Brannan at 978-6388.

Right now, two of the teams are undefeated while the oldest group has lost one game. Talk about drive, passion and inspiration.
Brannan teaches them about DRT (discipline, respect, and teamwork) and the kids respond.

I often wonder, if it were not for the football program (that requires hours of practice and game time), what would these kids be doing?
Growing up on the east side, I know it’s not the perfect place.
The sounds of drive-by shootings, the presence of gangs, and the access to drugs are part of the harsh realities. That’s not even counting living on little income and facing challenges that may exist in the homes.

So if you are looking to making a difference, here’s one program that could use some help.
Get your car washed. Volunteer for a day. Or sponsor a player.

The difference we can make in young people’s lives, well, it’s priceless.