Community members from across Kern County gathered Sunday at Taft United Methodist Church for Seeds of Hope, a faith-based event focused on helping residents work together to improve their communities.
The event was hosted by Faith in the Valley and included local organizers from Taft, Buttonwillow and Arvin, along with leaders from community groups and service organizations.
Organizers said the goal was to build relationships and share information about issues affecting working families, including housing, food access and health care.
Daniel Rodela of Faith in the Valley said building power through relationships allows community members to act on issues that shape daily life, including housing stability, food access and health care.
He said the organization works throughout the Central Valley to support Hispanic and Indigenous communities and is multifaith and inclusive of people from diverse racial, cultural and religious backgrounds.
Volunteer organizers talked about their work in local neighborhoods. They described efforts to help unhoused residents, educate families about health and nutrition, teach basic computer skills and encourage civic participation.
Panelists included Lewis Phuntso Gillham, Gerry Casto, Yuri Fonseca, Lorena Hernandez, Abby Rodela, Veronica Pantoja and Sonia Sanchez.
Speakers also shared personal experiences and described supporting residents by attending city council meetings, helping people navigate court and medical appointments and monitoring immigration activity to keep families informed.
The event also recognized leaders and organizations supporting community efforts, including Joey Williams, vice chair of the Nuwa (Kawaiisu) people; Fredi Castrejon, an educator and faith leader; Emiliano Ramirez of St. Vincent Preventative Family Care; and Cindy Brettschneider, pastor of Taft United Methodist Church.
Additional participants included Nataly Santamaria of Visión y Compromiso; Hector Hernandez of Unidad Popular Benito Juárez; Yesenia Acosta of Líderes Campesinas; Gabby Lopez, an immigration attorney; and Faith in the Valley staff members Dylan Bryant, voter engagement coordinator; Silvia Romano, organizer; and Nora Zaragoza Yáñez, Valley Watch Network coordinator.
Organizers said the event encouraged residents to stay involved and reminded them that community members play an important role in creating safer, healthier neighborhoods.
