We had the pleasure of sharing lunch and fellowship with our friends at the Bakersfield Homeless Center. Thanks so much for the invite! We enjoyed sharing a meal with you. God Bless.
Good News & Announcements
Jessie Lopez let us know that the owner of the Borderline Bar & Grill where the mass shooting took place in Thousand Oaks is not only a member of Rotary but in our same District. Jessie is circulating a card for our signature.
Pop-Up Party at the Barbich home on December 11th, please sign up. Attendance is limited to 25 Rotarians and their guests.
Bell Ringing Captains still have a few slots available, please sign up if you have not already.
Condors game on December 1st is Rotary Night, Pucks for Polio – tickets are available.
Program
Today’s Program was brought to us by our own Louis Gill, Executive Director of the Bakersfield Homeless Center and the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. Louis has served as the Director for 19 years. He has an annual budget of 7.2 million, employs 160 hardworking individuals and serves thousands of Bakersfield less fortunate and homeless individuals. They have grown out of their current location on East Truxtun (thanks to those that came out and found parking for our meeting today) and it is a dangerous place along the old Edison Hwy., they have experienced 3 deaths of individuals along that stretch of roadway.
We all know that homelessness is a growing problem in our community. In the last 3 years, the numbers are staggering. They have seen a 13% increase in those sheltered and a 20% increase in meals served (about 3,000/mo.). In 2014, 353 people found permanent housing. In 2017, that number rose to 1,426. Louis also runs a jobs program, whereby he contracts with both public and private entities and to date, approximately 100 people have been placed in to full time employment. The problem is, with his current capacity, he can only help 1 in 42 that seek it.
The good news for 2019 – beds are being added at both the Homeless Shelter as well as the Mission at Kern.
This organization serves The Least, The Last and The Lost. Looking for an opportunity to serve those less fortunate? Please talk to Louis.
Visitors & Guests
Guest of Russell Judd was Scott Thurgason
Residents of the Homeless Shelter joined us for lunch.
Bakersfield Downtown Rotary, giving the gift that is Hodel's.
Jesse Lopez doesn't even try in a smile contest with Jim Damian and Andrae Gonzales.
Louis Gill shared a passionate presentation on the Homeless Shelter.
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