On Sept. 1, the Guild House celebrated its
100-year restoration with a ribbon-cutting
ceremony conducted by Mayor Harvey Hall.
The restoration project covered electrical and
plumbing work as well as interior design and
decoration.

The Guild House was constructed in 1909
and was acquired in 1966 by the Child Guidance
Guild, an organization formed by volunteers
dedicated to raising funds for the
Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance
Clinic, a non-profit mental health agency that
provides mental health counseling and auxiliary
services for children and their families.

David Camara, executive director of the
clinic was present and emphasized his appreciation
for the support received from the Guild
House, which is estimated in over $1.6 million
from 1964 to present. “We are here to celebrate
the tremendous effort from the people at
Guild House,” Camara said. “Guild House is
probably the most consistent funding
source that we have.”

“We commit to giving a minimum of
$40,000 a year,” said Robin Starr, the president
of Child Guidance Guild. This commitment
is met thanks to the work of more than
200 volunteers, “who run the house not only
operationally but administratively as well.”

The volunteers at Guild House not only
participate in food preparation, serving and
washing dishes; they also do the bookkeeping,
landscaping and recruit new members. Donna
Briggs has been cooking for nine years at the
Guild House. After retirement she became a
volunteer. She cooks one day a week and regardless
of the hard work she enjoys her time
at Guild House. “I would do it everyday. It’s
hard work but I like doing it and the ladies
here are very nice,” Briggs said.

The Guild House is located at 1905 18th St.
and serves lunch Monday through Friday from
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A menu is published
for every day of the month. The house can be
reserved for special events such as luncheon
meetings, weddings and receptions. For reservations
and more information call 325-5478
or visit www.bakersfieldguildhouse.com.