James Irvine Foundation Funds KernLearn Outreach

In December the Board of Directors of the James Irvine Foundation approved a 30-month grant for $220,000 to help support an innovative outreach project in Arvin and Lamont for the Kern High School District’s KernLearn web tutorial program.

The KCNC’s Debra Burris-Garofalo will serve as the Project Manager for this initiative starting in January 2004. The KCNC has partnered with the United Way of Kern County (which serves as the lead agency for this grant), the Kern High School District, Arvin High School, the Lamont School District, CSUB’s Gear Up Program, Transforming Local Communities and Lightspeed Technologies on this initiative.

The objective the project is to utilize trained youth mentors to reach out to students, who may not have access to a computer at home, and help them gain access to the Kern High School District’s Kern Learn website. The Kern High School District and their Partners have developed a basic skills assessment and tutorial website called KernLearn (www.kernlearn.org). Kern Learn is designed to help improve low academic performance of students in the County. Kern Learn is intended to serve as a supplemental curriculum and assessment resource for all Kern County students. We look forward to reporting on the success of this project next year.

Congratulations to KCNC staff member Debra Burris-Garofalo, who was recently promoted to KCNC Leadership Development Manager. In her new role Debra will coordinate the KernLearn outreach grant and will work to expand leadership and outreach opportunities to those interested in advocating for better conditions for Kern’s children and families.

Congratulations, Debra!

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