Local Community Orgainzation Receives Accolades and Funding

December 6, 2012 • HQ of Hope • by
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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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Foster Youth become the Trainers at Orphan Event

December 6, 2012 • HQ of Hope • by
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Covenant Community Services, Inc. (Covenant), and their social enterprise Covenant Coffee, recently sent three former foster youth to speak as part of a panel at

Enjoying a Mongolian lunch after the conference!

the Foster Care and Adoption Summit. The Summit was hosted by Arrow Child Services at Grace Baptist Church in Santa Clarita, California. The three youth, Jonathan R., Balinda A. and Keith K., each worked the event and spoke to the attendees about life in the system, the struggles of exiting without support and their current and future plans.

The purpose of the conference was to help individuals and churches understand the needs of former foster youth as they exit care. As the youth shared their stories tears began to appear in the eyes of shocked attendees as the horror of their life was shared. To many, former foster youth are an unknown people group. Thus, this conference shed great insight into the troubled after-care system that awaits foster youth.

In Kern County, California, former foster youth are given a greater chance for success due to the efforts of the Kern County Department of Human Services and their contractor Covenant Community Services (Covenant). Covenant operates a State funded Transitional Housing Plus program for former foster youth ages 18 to 24 years old. The program, CHOICES THP Plus, is a unique two-year service that aides youth in designing goals and dreams and achieving them.

The CHOICES Program has had great success over their four-year effort with many youth purchasing homes upon exit and finding stability and a solid life in the community. While most youth enter with little or no direction and goals they leave with both. Statewide, 50 counties participate in the THP Plus program. In fiscal year 2012, 2,151 former foster youth were served in the State of California. In Kern County, Covenant serves 50 former foster youth through CHOICES.

At the conference, the youth were able to drop their guard and share openly about their stint in foster care both good and bad. The response from the audience was nothing less than shock and sorrow as the reality of foster care and “system life” hit them in the heart and mind. As Balinda shared about doing drugs with group home staff or David shared about eating at a separate table, the crowd was silent but their minds were racing. The youth did a great job of sharing the hope that they have now found and thus presented the options and opportunities to make an impact clearly. The message was clear … there is a problem but you can help and you can make a difference.

Each youth shared from their heart and convinced the crowd that transformation of the system and individuals lives is possible but only as we strive to serve former foster youth with love and hope. This is the exact mission of Covenant Community Services in Bakersfield, California. It is exciting to think of where the future will take these inspirational youth and what the future holds for each. I know one thing – it is filled with hope!

For a more in-depth look into the plight of former foster youth read the report by Human Rights Watch – “My So-Called Emancipation” at this link Full Report.

To learn about California’s THP Plus program go to Fostering Connections

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Community Suppports Foster Youth Services

December 6, 2012 • HQ of Hope • by
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Covenant Community Services, Inc. (Covenant), is a nonprofit 501(c)3 based in Bakersfield, California. The mission of Covenant is “providing hope and love

David Dobbs of Imbibe Wines presents a donation to Randy Martin, Covenant CEO

to abused and neglected children”. Covenant accomplishes mission through partnerships with the local community including those from the faith, corporate and private sector.

Recently, Covenant has received funding from Imbibe Wines, Bakersfield, California’s premier wine source. David Dobbs, owner of Imbibe Wines, held a benefit tasting to support the efforts of Covenant in providing vocational skills training and mentoring to former foster youth. In addition to the generous donation of over $3,500.00, Dobbs sells the coffee roasted by Covenant in their store. According to Dobbs, it is a natural partnership that provides his customers with a high quality product that has a great story … helping former foster youth find success.

Imbibe is one of many local corporations that are selling Covenant Coffee due to the high quality and social impact. Covenant Coffee was created in 2008 to train, mentor and employ former foster youth. Each time Covenant sells two pounds of Covenant Coffee it provides employment for a former foster youth for one hour! The youth at Covenant Coffee learn valuable skills in customer service, sales, packaging, food service and basic employment domains.

Covenant is very thankful for companies like Imbibe that allow their corporate conscience to have an impact on a marginalized population of our community. Randy Martin, CEO of Covenant, states that “without people like David Dobbs and companies like Imbibe our mission will be incomplete. It is through community partnerships and buy-in that youth are encouraged and we can actually provide a job and hope.”

To find out more about Covenant Coffee go to www.covenantcoffee.org

 

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