From Our President

The Beginning of a New Day for JA Bakersfield

As the new President of Junior Achievement of Bakersfield, I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself and my staff to our past supporters and those whose support we hope to enlist in our efforts to inspire the students of Bakersfield to achieve. In order to do this, I thought I would institute an annual report card to inform, and be accountable to, the community we serve.

As the new kid on the block, I see a lot of great things that Junior Achievement is doing in Bakersfield, but I also see a great need and desire for our programs in this community that has yet to be met.

Last year, only 8% of Kern County students receivedJA programs, which works out to about 20,000 students. Of course, I would like to see that number significantly increase. However, the number that I am most concerned with is the figure for high school. Less than 1% of Kern high school students are getting JA programs.

As you know, high school is a crucial time when students are struggling with so many social and personal issues, while simultaneously making important decisions that will affect their futures.

These young people need Junior Achievement. They need direction and motivation. They need options. They need a vision of the future with endless possibilities. Some, simply need hope and the knowledge that their community cares about them.

The good news is that their community does care. Starting in Spring of 2008, JA of Bakersfield will partner with East Bakersfield High School in pilot program to bring Junior Achievement programs to every freshman class. Talks are already in progress to expand JA's presence dramatically throughout the Kern High School District.

This is a massive and crucial undertaking and we will need the help of the entire community to make it happen. My goal is to write to you with our 2008 Report Card announcing that JA is reaching kids in every high school in Kern County. Our educators are counting on you. Our businesses are counting on you. But most importantly, our kids are counting on you.

I am humbly asking you to please consider helping us to realize this vision by becoming a Junior Achievement Volunteer Mentor and/or a financial supporter of Junior Achievement of Bakersfield.

Please contact me at 661-328-9373; or via email at thackett@jasocal.org. Our mailing address is 1820 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Checks can be made payable to Junior Achievement Bakersfield.

Let's do the best we can for our kids!

Happy New Year!

Tim Hackett

President