Kern Network for Children Leadership Program Now Accepting Applications

The Kern County Leadership Develop Program, operated by the Kern County Network for Children, is accepting applications until Nov. 1, 2024 for its next cohort. Running from January to May, this program is designed to foster leadership skills in those passionate about improving the lives of children and families in the community.

Since 1998, the program has trained more than 820 community members from diverse backgrounds, equipping them with the tools needed to lead, inspire, and organize in ways that create real impact. Graduates emerge with newfound skills in public speaking, conflict resolution, time management, and community mobilization. In addition to monthly, day-long workshops, participants are broken into teams and work on group projects that benefit local children and families, providing hands-on experience in solving real-world issues.

For Cynthia Dangerfield, a program supervisor in Child and Family Services with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), the experience was a powerful one. She says her favorite part was listening to the variety of speakers, hearing their stories, and realizing they were human, just like all of us. Even as an introvert, Dangerfield found a place among the other participants and learned the confidence needed to lead.

“We have this idea of the big leaders in our community, what they must look like, what they must act like, what they must do,” she explained. “But leadership doesn’t all look the same. It has a variety of background stories.”

Dangerfield’s team created housewarming baskets for emancipated teens, filled with essentials to help them transition into their first homes. She says it was incredibly rewarding to work with a team and come up with a concept from start to finish.

Alejandra Villegas Gomez​​​​ is a secretary with KCSOS. She joined the program as a new employee without prior leadership experience. She said being surrounded by various public agency leaders in our community was truly inspiring.

“Each speaker had their own touching story, provided real-life examples, and provided so much helpful information,” she said. “I was able to gather a greater understanding of what it is to be a motivating and effective leader.”

Gomez’s team called themselves Building Blocks for Foster Youth. Their mission was to beautify a Foster Youth six-unit complex to make it a more comfortable living space and something beautiful the foster students could be proud of. The group gave the whole complex a makeover, including pressure washing the walls and doors, cleaning up the outdoor area, and installing floodlights and fencing for added security. Gomez says they were able to network with Lowe’s, which donated supplies as well as a new BBQ grill and patio furniture for the complex.

“The best thing was that a team member created a great relationship with the supervisor from Lowe’s, and they will be working together in the future for any supplies that the complex may need,” she added.

Robert Roberson, a warehouse operations supervisor with KCSOS, says the program helped him branch out of his comfort zone. Initially hesitant to apply due to the time commitment and being an introvert, Roberson soon found himself immersed in the program’s structure and teamwork.

“Every minute of every second was useful,” he said. “From the speakers down to the group projects, everything was just well organized. I appreciated that.”

Roberson’s group’s project, an edible garden for a local preschool, not only provided food but also taught children about healthy eating and the life cycle of plants. He said the group project taught him to network with the community, work as a unit, and not give up.

The leadership program is open to all individuals looking to grow as leaders, no matter their experience level or background. It also builds a network of allies and peers who continue to support each other long after graduation. Dangerfield encourages anyone considering the program to take the leap.

“The personal takeaways alone will definitely inspire you to be your own leader, have your own imprint, and make your own mark in your own ways,” she said.