Local Community Orgainzation Receives Accolades and Funding

Covenant Community Services, Inc. (Covenant) had a busy Fall in 2012. The local Bakersfield nonprofit received awards for their work in the neighborhood of

then and now!

Oildale, California and a recent grant from Chevron.

Covenant purchased property at 1700 North Chester in Oildale, California in June of 2011. after extensive repairs and re-construction, Covenant opened the doors of the former Bank of America on May of 2012. The old bank now houses 5800 square feet of offices and a coffee-house. The coffee-house, Covenant Coffee, employs over a dozen former foster youth. The entire operation of Covenant employs over 30 individuals.

The 1700 North Chester location wasn’t the first spot CEO Randy Martin and the Covenant Board of Directors began to look but it was the spot they feel “God provided”. It was during a radio show with a local Supervisor that Martin first heard of the old bank building. Following a tour and negotiations with the prior owner, Covenant made a bid and with the generous help of many, purchased the building and began the extensive retrofit. Although it was a formidable task to demolish and reconstruct the bank, many local contractors chipped in to make the work run smoothly. Months later, the coffee-house opened and Covenant has been moving forward since.

This Fall, Covenant received a resolution from the Kern County Board of Supervisors for their work in Oildale and an award from the Citizens for a Better Oildale for the same. Both organizations realized the time and effort that went into beautifying the neighborhood and the sacrifice many made to see the project become a reality. The project, affectionately named the HQ of Hope, was designed to be a beacon of hope to a blighted community. According to local officials, the project has hit the mark.

Covenant Coffee … Drink Coffee and Do Good!

Nothing good happens without help. Covenant received the help of many community partners. A brief, and not inclusive list is below:

• Inland Architects
• McKee Electric
• Central Valley Plumbing
• Kern Glass
• Snider Locksmith
• Ogden Concrete
• Mike’s Fencing
• ARRC Computers
• Best Cabinets
• J&E Restaurant Supply
• Rositio Basani Espresso Equipment
• Elite Painting and Wall Covering
• Pyramid Construction
• Liberty Electric

There were also numerous individual, corporate and foundation donors that stepped up to make the acquisition and build out possible. To each of these individuals and companies Covenant says “thanks”. Thanks for sharing hope with abused and neglected children and youth with your love, time, talent and treasure.

Watch the Covenant Thank You video starring many local former foster youth (video created by Covenant Media – see more at CovenantMediaNow.com

Covenant Thank You Video – watch it here – THANKS

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