Serve In the Community
Rather than duplicating ministries that already exist in our community, Olive Knolls is choosing to partner locally with various organizations to meet the physical and spiritual needs of our community. The following is a list of formal partnerships for 2010.
The Hope Center
The Hope Center assists low-income individuals and families living in our community. It distributes food, clothing and household goods each day to those in need. Opportunities to serve include …
- Praying with and sharing Christ with clients
- Serving/assisting clients
- Stocking and bagging food
- Hanging clothes/Marking & folding linens
- Janitorial or general maintenance
Click here to learn more about the Hope Center and their specific needs. To get involved, contact Loron Hodges or Jeri Kloepper at 399-2119 Monday through Friday from 9:30 – 2:30 pm.
Love, In the Name of Christ (Love, INC.)
Love, INC. networks with churches, para-church ministries and government agencies in the Bakersfield area to respond to and serve the needs of people with all kinds of need. The primary focus is to assess the real needs of each individual or family, then facility the meeting of those needs with the appropriate network church, ministry or agency. Opportunities to serve include:
- Phone Volunteer – working with clients
- Office Assistant – Newsletter writing/editing, assist Executive Director with miscellaneous tasks and responsibilities
- Furniture Pick-up & Delivery
- On-Call Volunteer – Transportation/Home repairs/Meals, etc.
- Individual and Family Mentoring (ShareINC)
Click here to learn more about Love, INC. To get involved, contact Carmel Hicks at 747-9722.
Flood Bakersfield, Inc
Food provides services designed to meet the physical, relational and spiritual needs of the homeless, sober living home residents, motel dwellers and those entrenched in generational poverty within inner-city Bakersfield. The ministry is dedicated to spreading the Good News and Love of Jesus Christ through worship, Bible instruction, fellowship and volunteerism. Flood meets individual physical needs, strives to build personal relationships with all who attend, and provides a vehicle for Bakersfield churches to serve with the purpose of improving life circumstances in order to promote self worth and greater self sufficiency. The Saturday Night Outreach utilizes a creative approach to attract those in need within inner city Bakersfield. The evening is composed of energetic music with a positive and uplifting message. Immediately following the service, a hot meal is served to all. In addition, groceries are distributed to those individuals who have need. Offices are located at 1117 34th Street. (661) 323-5663. Please note there are opportunities to serve both on Saturday night and during the week.
- Saturday Night Outreach. Great opportunity for small groups to sever together – multiple ways to serve!
- Weekday Ministries/Bible study and support group opportunities and preparations for Saturday Night Outreach (Grocery preparation, etc)
- Adopt a Family Mentoring/Support (Training Provided)
Website: www.floodbako.com
Family Mentoring
Low-income families face enormous stresses. The pressure can severely disrupt family life and lead to homelessness. Family Mentoring is designed to help families overcome these stresses and to 
prevent homelessness. In the Family Mentoring program, economically vulnerable families are matched with trained volunteer mentors who work with them, one-on-one, over an extended period. Mentors build committed, trusting relationships. They listen. They offer understanding and respect. They help families overcome challenges and disappointments and celebrate successes. As a church, we will partner with Love Inc. and the Flood to provide mentors for needy individuals and families. To get involved, contact Carmel Hicks at Love Inc. 325-6838.
Kern Bridges
The Purpose of Kern Bridges Youth Homes, Inc. program is to provide a safe, stable and consistent environment for children who have been abused or neglected and for children with serious emotional and behavioral difficulties. We also provide reunification services with the child’s family as directed by the juvenile courts. At any given time, there are 2000 – 3000 Kern County children in foster care. We are asking that you open your hearts and homes to give a child an opportunity of a lifetime by becoming not only a safe haven, but also a place to call home. Opportunities to serve include the general maintenance/repair at group homes and occasional special group projects. Click here to learn more about Kern Bridges. To get involved contact Jim Vander Zwan at 342-6229.
Koinonia
Koinonia Family Services helps with adoption, foster parenting, group homes, crisis resolution and drug abuse treatment. To learn more, click here. To get involved, contact Norma Rhodes at 345-8131.
The Rasmussen Senior Center
The Rasmussen Center offers a variety of activities for adults ages 50 and over. There are many opportunities to make new friends and serve others. Several volunteers are needed to serve as delivery drivers for their “Meals on Wheels” program. Click here to learn more about the Rasmussen Center. To get involved, contact Sue Norwood at (661) 387-0899.
The Pregnancy Center
The Bakersfield Pregnancy Center is a Christ-centered ministry committed to upholding the sanctity of human life, promoting sexual purity and healthy relationships, providing education and support (physical, emotional and spiritual) for men and women with pregnancy related concerns, facilitating healing for those who have experienced abortion or other pregnancy loss, and proclaiming the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Volunteers serve in virtually every area of the center. Basic and ongoing training is provided to help volunteers develop their gifts and talents. Click here to learn more about The Bakersfield Pregnancy Center.
Church Without Walls
Church Without walls is a non-profit religious organization that serves the people in the Oildale community. The church Without Walls ministries include learning God’s Word, food, Bible Studies and a clothing ministry. The church is led by Pastor Ben Hanna and his wife Margie. The Hanna’s are basically missionaries in Oildale dedicating their lives to meeting people’s most basic needs for food and clothing, while sharing the Gospel and growing God’s Kingdom. The Church Without Walls is located at 214 Beardsley Ave. (661) 391-8600. There are many opportunities to serve Sunday evening and during the week.
Kern Leadership Alliance
The vision of Kern Leadership Alliance is to see every believer in Jesus activated in his or her sphere of influence to transform Kern County. Its mission is to envision, connect, and empower leaders for community transformation that will improve the lives of all citizens by addressing Kern County’s most pressing needs. Click here for more information about Kern Leadership Alliance. To get involved, contact Connie Wattenbarger at 399-1922 or Bob Storar at 399-5256.
Crossroads Career Network
Walk through crossroads in your career with faith-based job search and career transition resources. This ministry is in the start-up phase. If you are interested in helping people find meaningful work, or simply finding meaningful work for yourself, please consider joining us. Click here for more information about Crossroads Career Network.