Bakersfield Homeless Shelter gets a remodel from Girl Scout

(August 11, 2014/Bakersfield) Last year, almost 2,000 individuals found shelter at the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter and 146,629 meals were served to the community. The Bakersfield Homeless Shelter is a location used daily. Garces Memorial High School student, Kendall Rudie is taking it upon herself to remodel a room in the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter for her Gold Award Project.

From Monday, Aug. 11 to Wednesday, Aug. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Kendall completed her room remodel.

In wanting to help a group of individuals her own age, Kendall decided that by remodeling a room at the shelter, teens are given an opportunity to build friendships while in a supportive, comfortable environment. Her remodel includes new carpet, new paint, seating, and a new TV.

"After my involvement, hopefully the room will continue to provide a nice place for homeless teens to relax and enjoy time with other kids their age," Kendall said. "The staff at the Center will continue to take care of the room and the up keep after the project has been completed."

The sustainability of the room remodel is one of the requirements for Girl Scouts to earn their Gold Award. The Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can receive. When Girl Scouts earn their Gold Award by developing and implementing a sustainable community project, they join an elite group of Girl Scouts from around the country.

• Less than 6% of all Girl Scouts earn the Girl Scout Gold Award.

• A Girl Scout who has earned her Gold Award immediately rises one rank in any of the U.S. military branches.

• A growing number of colleges and universities across the country offer scholarships to girls achieving the Girl Scout Gold Award.

For more information about the Gold Award, please visit girlscoutsccs.org/awards. About Girl Scouts of Central California South Every year, Girl Scouts of Central California South gives more than 10,000 girls in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, and Tulare counties, programs that help them grow, learn and have fun. 5,000 of these girls who would not otherwise be able to participate due to various life situations, are served through its Girl Scouts Connect Program at no cost to their families. 3,000 adult volunteers provide vital Girl Scout troop leadership. For more information on how

to join, volunteer, reconnect, or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) 490-8653 or visit

http://girlscoutsccs.org.