Youth Volunteers Leave Their Mark at Bakersfield’s First California Service Corps Event

Bakersfield came alive last week as youth volunteers from across the region gathered for the first-ever California Service Corps Connections event held in Kern County. More than 100 participants from Bakersfield came alive last week as youth volunteers from across the region gathered for the first California Service Corps Connections event held in Kern County. More than 100 participants from AmeriCorps, CSUB College Corps, Kern Community Foundation and the City of Bakersfield Youth Jobs Corps, and a Porterville AmeriCorps program rolled up their sleeves for a day of service and community impact.

The event kicked off at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) with welcoming remarks from University President Vernon B. Harper Jr. and Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh. After lunch and a few group activities to break the ice, volunteers got straight to work on various projects.

Some volunteers assembled personal hygiene kits, which were delivered to youth residing at the Mission at Kern County, bringing essential care and hope to those in need. Meanwhile, other volunteers transformed CSUB’s Edible Garden — building garden beds, laying mulch, painting sheds, and planting seeds to grow fresh produce for students. Each action stood as a visible reminder of the impact of giving back and the difference one can make.

Mayor Goh highlighted the importance of community engagement and youth leadership.

“It gives me great joy to see Bakersfield coming together for the first time in this volunteer initiative, hosting youth from other areas and working together with Sacramento to pour out our efforts, our time, and our talents to make our community a better place,” she said.

California Service Corps Connections is a statewide initiative organized by Stockton Service Corps in partnership with California Volunteers, Office of the Governor. The program brings together members from AmeriCorps, College Corps, Youth Jobs Corps, and Climate Action Corps to foster connection, professional development, and collaborative service. Participants can count their involvement toward service or training hours, supporting goals in community strengthening, youth development, climate action, and K–12 education.

For Bakersfield, hosting the event for the first time added a special layer of significance. Volunteers not only contributed to meaningful projects but also built connections with peers from other regions. The event demonstrated the power of youth-led service to improve communities, nurture leadership, and inspire future civic engagement.

By the end of the day, laughter, teamwork, and a sense of accomplishment were apparent. From assembling hygiene kits to cultivating gardens, participants left Bakersfield not just with memories, but with a visible mark of their service — a testament to the dedication and energy of the next generation of leaders.

Geoff Welch, Program Coordinator for AmeriCorps, captured the spirit of the event with a quote from Dr. Robert Johnson.

“‘Ambition with heart serves one in such a way that it serves others at the same time.’ That’s what today was all about,” he said.