Sheriff’s Activities League off to great start in Kern Valley
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Valerie Cassity - Special to the Sun
The Kern County Sheriff’s Department has formed a new program in the Kern River Valley to build the confidence and self-esteem of valley youth, which acts as an insurance policy of sorts against the kids’ future run-ins with law enforcement.
Although the KRV chapter of the Kern County Sherriff’s Activity League (SAL) began just six short weeks ago, it has already begun to have a big impact on the children involved.
SAL is based on the successful Police Activity League (PAL), which has flourished in Bakersfield and throughout the country. Headed up by School Resource Officer Deputy Joe Garcia, the program will work with kids aged 8-18 and show them the many opportunities for recreation that abound in the Kern Valley. The program was started here because Sgt. Marshall, who is new to the Kern Valley, is trying to bring some of the successful Bakersfield programs into this area.
'The Sheriff (Donny Youngblodd) wants this to be a solid program for the valley,' Garcia said. 'He wants to know Kern River Valley chapter has a strong foundation and will be a program that lasts.'
Because Garcia was already working as the School Resource Officer, he was asked to establish the SAL program in the Kern River Valley. 'When they asked me to do this I said, ’ÄòSure,’ but I had no idea it would have this effect on me. It's the coolest thing,' said Garcia. 'The kids are loving it!'
SAL is a nonprofit group that was formed to offer activities to youth in Kern County, including sports, tutoring, crafts, games, computer training, leadership training, field trips, and more. So far, the Kern River Valley SAL chapter has 17 kids involved, about half girls and half boys. The kids come from all around the Kern Valley, and are a mixture of all types of children, from at-risk to honor roll and everywhere in between.
To date, the kids have gone to the SAL fishing derby in Bakersfield for their first outing last month, and to the Whiskey Flats Rodeo, for which the Kernville Chamber of Commerce donated tickets for the kids. Last weekend, the kids were able to participate the Lake Isabella Fishing Derby, as well, for which the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce donated fees. 'I think it’s neat because some of the kids that I have dealt with don’t have someone to take them fishing or camping or hiking,' said Garcia. 'When we have gone on our outings, the kids are excited and ready to go; it’s the greatest thing!'
Currently, our local SAL has two new clubs for its members, one is a boxing club, which meets at the Youth Center in Lake Isabella every Monday and Wednesday from 5-6 p.m. Youth Probation Officer Brett Correia is co-leading the club and mentoring the kids, while the instructor is a pro boxer named Raymond Garcia. 'The kids love it,' said Deputy Garcia. 'It’s very structured and disciplined, which is what our whole program is about.'
There is also a fishing club just getting started, being led by Deputy Storar, and the girls have asked for a dance club, which Garcia is currently looking for someone to lead. He also wants to be sure there are enough mentors so that each child gets one-on-one time with adults who care. 'There is so much possibility in what we can do with this program. I see these kids in school and when I go on calls, and I want to show them that there is so much more out there in the world than what they are experiencing here,' explained Garcia. 'Some of the kids have certain situations where all they have is the neighborhood; they’re living with grandparents or single parents who are unable to take them places.'
Deputy Garcia is delighted with the support he has received since beginning this program. He recently had a meeting with Sheriff Youngblood, who expressed that SAL is near and dear to him, and he wants to make sure that this is going to be a long-term program in the Kern Valley that will not go away. The Citizen Service Unit is also involved with transporting the kids to meetings and outings. 'We have so much command support, it is great. It gives us so much incentive to keep going with the program,' said Garcia.
SAL is a private organization not funded by the County of Kern. There are SAL programs in Lamont, East Bakersfield, and Wasco; all are non-profit and totally volunteer driven. SAL relies on members of law enforcement and the community to volunteer their time to mentor and work with the kids. Without the volunteers’ help, the number of kids who can participate in the SAL program will have to be limited, but Garcia’s primary goal is to not turn away any child.
SAL also requires in-kind donations and financial support from donors and sponsors who are interested in ensuring that the youth of the Kern Valley have a bright future with respect for law enforcement. Any funds donated will go only to the kids in the valley. 'This community gets together so well and I know there will be a lot of backing for this program because people here are so supportive of the children,' Garcia said.
If you are interested in making a donation or volunteering, call Deputy Joe Garcia at 549-2100. To learn more about the SAL program, visit their website at www.kerncountysal.com.
