My name is Madi Vollmer, and I spent time at the Boys and Girls Club learning more about the community and how others can get involved.
For more than 58 years, the Boys and Girls Club of Kern County has provided local youth with mentorship, resources, and opportunities. With three clubhouses and 70 school sites in Bakersfield, Arvin, Tehachapi, and Lamont, they serve over 15,000 children each year.
Their mission is to help young people realize their full potential.
I met one of these local teenagers, who told me about the club’s impact on his life. Elias Velazquez, an 11th grader at Boys & Girls Club, says, “I come here both during the summer and during the school year, and I think it’s a great combination because after school I get to do all the fun stuff. “I can also do my homework here during homework time.”
Not only did I learn about Elias’ favorite activities, such as attending a Keystone Conference and the club’s job readiness program, which assisted him in obtaining an internship, but I also realized the importance of contributing to the future of our community.
One local teen is making a significant difference by presenting a $30,000 check to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County. The money comes from his charity golf tournament, One Shot at a Time.
Dylan Brar, a local 12th grader and the founder of One Shot at a Time, says, “One of my goals in starting this foundation was to inspire other kids my age to give back in whatever way they could. I’ve been playing my entire life and have learned so many valuable life lessons from it, and all I want is for as many people as possible to learn them.”
For Elias, the club remains a place where fun and growth go hand in hand, forming tomorrow’s leaders today.
“It’s just great to have friends here and coming every day. I enjoy playing pool and basketball. Elias Velazquez said.
Registration is now open, with a one-time $45 fee for the remainder of the school year.
