SYC begins summer at Minter Field

The summer is here and the Shafter Youth Center, operated by Community Action Partnership of Kern has begun their annual summer program with a visit from the antique Fire Engine #1 that is stationed at Minter Field Air Museum.

Ronald Pierce of the museum explained to the kids how the engine came to be at the museum. The engine was originally the property of the City of Shafter, but eventually became a unit in the Kern County Fire Department. Last year, it was returned to Shafter and is now on display. It has undergone a refurbishing to restore it to its old glory. The kids had a great time sitting in the engine, as well as checking out all of the features on the engine that were utilized when it was a working unit for the Fire Department.

This is the first week of the program, which has a different theme every week. In coming weeks, there will be a Sports Week, Shafter Week, Patriotic Week and Animal Week, which is always popular. It includes a visit from the California Animal Living Museum, with a host of special ambassador animals that the children can see up close, learning about their habitats, diets, and their place in nature.

The Shafter summer session is just one of the programs offered by the CAPK. According to Angie Nelson, director of the Youth Center, they offer an after-school program which includes help with homework, as well as recreational activities in a safe and supportive environment. The SYC also offers a Gang Prevention Program that provides Forward Thinking classes to high school students to assist them in making positive changes to their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. It also provides Aggression Replacement Training classes for youth to improve social skills, moral reasoning, anger management and reduce aggressiveness.

They also continue their commodity distributions. Food is distributed to low-income community residents to alleviate hunger. Participants self-certify residency, sign for commodities that are distributed and self-certify income for eligibility.

For those in need of assistance with their utility bills, they also participate in a HEAP program. This program helps offset the cost of energy for low -ncome households. Participants must meet eligibility requirements, have a social security number and complete a HEAP application prior to acceptance.

To qualify for HEAP services, participants must provide a current PG&E bill and gas bill andcurrent income verification for all household residents for four weeks prior to the date in which HEAP application was signed. If you have any questions about the Summer Program or any of the other services that CAPK provides, 661-746-8235 or email Nelson at [email protected].