Community Service events show SJVC Bakersfield’s spirit

SJVC’s Bakersfield campus has served its community since first opening its doors to students almost 40 years ago.

In addition to providing the highest level of education and career training to students and well-prepared graduates to employers, SJVC is committed to community support. Whether as a sponsor or event participant, SJVC shows up and carries its weight to help service clubs and groups, as well as local neighbors improve their lives.

Recently the campus introduced their students to iShine, a movement which encourages everyone on campus to initiate events that help others. The power behind iShine is the concept that when students light up their career goals, they remember to shine a little light on others as well.

It is an idea that has caught fire on the Bakersfield campus and is demonstrated visually on a poster of a light bulb patchwork of illumination.

Over the last couple of months, students, staff and faculty brainstormed an idea to host a recycling event to provide the community with a safe place to dispose of unwanted electronic material and paper files and documents. Staff, faculty and students rolled up their sleeves and organized the message, people-power and logistics of this event.

The campus-sponsored event was well publicized on radio, Instagram, e-blasts, fliers and posters on campus. From 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., people brought broken or outdated computers, printers and old fax machines, along with documents for shredding, to the campus with the confidence that SJVC would dispose of their electronic and paper waste properly. A large bin was filled with metal and plastic, and over 400 pounds of paper was shredded. Alianza Recycling provided support for the event.

SJVC has always felt that while students learn the skills they need to be successful in their chosen careers, they will also be provided with many opportunities to get involved in community service and develop a sense of giving back to the source that nurtured their own roots.

This recent event was a perfect way to demonstrate that powerful dynamic. “We wanted an event where we could all get involved to help the community,” says Marcus Barnette, SJVC’s Enrollment Services Director. “Our purpose is always to help our students become successful and when our students shine, we all shine.”

Many people who brought their electronic and paper waste to SJVC’s recycling event were introduced to the campus for the first time. It was a great way to remind the community of SJVC’s strong presence.

On the heels of the event, the Bakersfield campus held an Open House to spotlight their Medical Assisting and Business Administration programs. “We gave visitors a tour of the campus, and instructors and students provided visitors with interactive demonstrations of each program,” says Barnette.

Community service is contagious and student leaders are already planning their next demonstration of support – and a way to show future employers that they have the right spirit to join their team.