10 Aug Joy and Hope for Abandoned and Abused Youth

Organization: Kern Bridges Youth Homes
Lives Impacted: 50+
Donation: Ross
http://www.kernbridges.com/ 

 Kern Bridges Youth Homes, located in Bakersfield, CA is a center for children who are struggling due to abandonment or abuse. They are homeless, without food or have vacant parents leaving them to feel rejected. Their parents, enveloped in their own problems of substance abuse, domestic violence and mental illness, have made them feel as though they deserve the neglect and the abuse they have suffered. Our mission is to provide responsive solutions and trauma-informed care to Kern County’s vulnerable children by providing safe homes and accessible services, and by engaging in ongoing quality improvement. 

This donation came at a great time because some of these individuals hadn’t had new items in years. The assortment of clothing for young girls/ladies, learning toys for children, kitchen items, and bed linensbrought such joy to our center. The young ladies were so excited to receive their new dresses for job interviews and everyday outfits, and they left the center wearing those outfits with pride. Another donation was 500 learning toys, given to children five and up, helping provide an educational activity for the children. Everyone was so happy and grateful to receive all these items, it made me fall in love with my job all over again! 

There are so many great stories from KBYH that make me emotional, but there is one that still brings tears to my eyes today. We had a grandmother who had just adopted her two grandchildren (ages 5 and 2 weeks) and who was looking for extra resources since she and her husband are living on Social Security Insurance. One day she heard about our organization and came in to ask about our program. She mentioned that she lacked household items like sheets and bed materials, because she hasn’t been able to purchase them in five years. I was so moved by her story that I offered her two sets of sheets for her bed and anything else that she needed.  With tears in her eyes she denied the offer because she felt she was being greedy. I encouraged her to take the items because she truly needed and deserved them. This grandmother was so grateful and left with the biggest smile on her face. Thank you Good360 for helping us provide for another family.