Citizen Portal
Sign In

Kern County supervisors back Sheriff's Activities League and highlight job fair that placed 21 youth

Kern County Board of Supervisors · December 17, 2025

Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts

Subscribe
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

Deputy Iris Mendez described plans to rebuild the Sheriff's Activities League, asked for volunteers and equipment, and staff and supervisors highlighted a job fair that produced 21 confirmed hires from disconnected youth; county officials said they will push partnerships and events in 2026.

Deputy Iris Mendez, who coordinates the Kern County Sheriff’s Activities League, told the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 16 that SAL is returning after pandemic-era disruptions and staffing shortages and outlined a push to reestablish programs across the county in 2026. "SAL is making a comeback," Mendez said, noting the program’s mix of mentoring, sports and community outreach.

Mendez said SAL relies on donations and volunteers and requested equipment including a boxing ring, mirrors and gym machines. She provided a contact email (mendezi@kernsheriff.org) and phone number for donations and volunteer inquiries. The presentation noted recent community support, including a toy drive from the office of state Sen. Shannon Grove.

Supervisors and staff praised SAL’s role connecting youth and law enforcement. Supervisor Peters announced a repainting project for the East Bakersfield substation and said apprentices from the painters’ union will help refurbish the facility in February; Peters also called for community donations of equipment and mentors.

The board also heard from Priscilla Sanchez and Brandon Evans of Employers’ Training Resource about a job fair aimed at disconnected youth (roughly ages 18–28). Evans said 157 youth attended the Oct. 7 event; staff confirmed 21 hires and participation from 16 employers. "To those 21 youth, this is not a small thing," Evans said, adding that ETR will hold additional job fairs in 2026.

Supervisors described the two efforts as complementary: SAL provides mentoring and safe spaces while ETR focuses on employer connections and job readiness workshops. The presentations closed with calls for volunteers, employer partnerships and further county support as both initiatives expand next year.