The Bakersfield College CARE/CalWORKs programs came together for a fundraiser at Jamba Juice in the Valley Plaza Mall from Sept. 28 through Oct. 2.
Primavera Arvizu, director of the EOPS, CARE and CalWORKs programs, explained that the fundraiser was, “to provide above what we normally offer to students.”
The Jamba Juice fundraiser is a first for CARE/CalWORKs. The idea was thought up by CalWORKs Department Assistant Yolanda Gonzales and EOPS/CARE Assistant Director Vanessa Hernandez. Students and their families could present a flier that would give 20 percent of their Jamba order to the programs
Because of the state budget, the programs were not allocated as much money as in the past. Each year, the programs do different activities for participating students and their families, including Thanksgiving baskets, gifts from Santa, spring picnic and a parent appreciation lunch. These activities were not funded by state money, and the programs have always raised money from bake sales to pay for them.
“[Gonzales and Hernandez] came up with the idea and made the contacts with Jamba,” Arvizu explained.
The purpose of the fundraiser is not only to raise money for the programs but to give students a reason to participate. By handing out fliers, Arvizu wanted the students to learn and see that they are contributing to the programs as well.
“It gives a sense of community in the college,” Arvizu said.
Although this is the first time doing this type of fundraiser, Arvizu hopes to get a good percent back and see what needs to be changed for next year. Jamba Juice employee and BC student Marissa Perez thinks that raising money for the school is a great opportunity and hopes to do it again even though this first run hasn’t been so successful.
“We have the flier, but it seems like they (students) haven’t passed them out,” Perez, 20, said.
The BC CARE and CalWORKs programs offer different benefits to qualifying students, which include mentoring, work study programs, job placement and more. To see if you qualify or would like to know more about their fundraising, visit the office in the Student Services building.