Bakersfield College (BC) opened its doors to the community of Kern County working with Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance (GBLA), showing students how to ensure housing stability when renting a home.

This eviction prevention workshop was held at the Norman Levan Center, at Bakersfield College on Jan. 29 from 6-7 p.m.with a presentation and again in Spanish an hour later.

BC wanted not only their students, but also fellow community members to be aware of real-world challenges. To help students be mindful of these issues BC has presented many workshops in the past as well as continuing with more in the future.

In the GBLA eviction prevention workshop, topics of renting a home such as spotting the red flags before you rent, the rental application process, rent payment disclosures, deposits, and much more was discussed. Elena Almazan, the community engagement advocate for GBLA, explains presenting this education to our community helps break generational curses that have been seen by informing them of this topic.

Almazan stated “Bringing this information to our community not only changes the lives of the renter now but it changes the lives, shape, and look of our community.”A listener of the workshop explains they came to learn more about the world of the tenant landlord relationship and left understanding the knowledge of what a tenant could possibly go through with the renting world.

On the GBLA website (www.GBLA.org) there are many services for residents of Kern County, such as housing and homelessness prevention, a children and family unit. and a rural legal assistance program.

BC is continuing to shine light on these real topics and will be holding Barbershop Talk: Leadership and Responsibility, where you can stop by to get a free haircut all whilst connecting with a barber, Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 2:00pm-3:00pm in the Fireside Room.

For more information on workshops being held visit Bakersfield College website.

(www.Bakersfieldcollege.edu)