Guest Spoke Correspondent
Jacob Frost grew up in Bakersfield. He runs Sovryn, a company that leverages AI to streamline business processes and deliver more precise marketing strategies. He is happily married to his better half, Gabrielle, and enjoys chasing after his 3-year-old daughter and the broken sleep of a 4-month-old son.
Greeter: Mike Willis
Prayer: Joe Hay
Flag Salute: Jim Damian
Roving Mic: John Schuler
Guests:
Kat Clowes brought her Girl Scout Tycoon, Millie, to sell some Girl Scout cookies.
Good News /Sad News:
Storied Rotarian Ron Eaves passed away on March 22nd. Mike Chertok had some wonderful stories to tell about his dear friend. Official Write Up
Kat Clowes announced a successful Bakersfield Leadership Conference with Downtown Rotary having the most rotarians in attendance of all Rotary groups. Jim Damian and Lyle Martin were guest speakers at the event, offering their best “advice” to impressionable youth.
Program
Be Finally Free:
Our guest speaker, Charlie Van De Voorde, is the newly appointed Executive Director of Be Finally Free. His journey is a testament to the power of transformation. For 15 years, Charlie battled addiction and found himself in and out of prison. He credits Jesus Christ for saving him and completely changing his life, leading him to serve others who face similar struggles.
Their mission is built on three core pillars:
- Discipleship: The organization offers spiritual guidance through Bible studies, chaplain visits, and life coaching, providing hope and encouragement to those in need.
- Education: Be Finally Free equips individuals with crucial skills through parenting classes, anger management programs, substance abuse treatment, and reentry education, empowering them to rebuild their lives.
- Relationships: They foster personal growth and healing through counseling services tailored to men, women, youth, and children, ensuring ongoing support during life’s challenges.
In addition to their direct outreach, Be Finally Free hosts impactful community events like "The Face Behind the Mask" Masquerade Ball, raising awareness and funds to support their mission. Their work not only rehabilitates individuals but also strengthens entire communities.
The organization's growth has been remarkable. In 2024, they started with a $200,000 budget, but by the end of the year, they had expanded to $800,000. Looking ahead to 2025, Be Finally Free projects a budget between $1.8 million to $2.5 million, demonstrating their increasing impact and community support.
For those inspired to make a difference, Be Finally Free offers numerous volunteer opportunities, including office assistance, event participation, teaching, and counseling roles. Whether through time, resources, or donations, every contribution helps break the chains of the past and build a brighter future.
Great interview on how Be Finally Free started. Interview
To learn more about their life-changing programs or to get involved, visit https://befinallyfree.org.
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