BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 At the Kern High Regional Occupational Center, students are learning that community service can be just as powerful as any classroom lesson. <\/p>\n
This week, those lessons were put into action as students volunteered their time to help renovate the Bakersfield Sheriff’s Activities League, giving the longtime community space a much-needed refresh.<\/p>\n
Eric Magana knows the center well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI live in the area in fact, I used to come here,\u201d Magana said. \u201cI used to box here. Boxing is very fun, and it taught me how to defend myself and life skills.\u201d<\/p>\n
But instead of lacing up gloves, Magana picked up a paintbrush. Alongside his classmates from the Regional Occupational Center, he spent the day repainting walls, taping surfaces, and helping transform the facility that once helped shape him.<\/p>\n
Fellow student Lamonte Graves said the experience was about more than just a fresh coat of paint.<\/p>\n
\u201cMe helping here can help create a lasting impact for those who go here and the community in general,\u201d Graves said. \u201cIt helps me as well it teaches me new skills. For example, I helped tape a bunch of stuff up and worked with the food truck.\u201d<\/p>\n
That food truck effort was supported by Bakersfield social media personality Mr. Dimples, who used the event to spotlight his nonprofit initiative, Dimple Dreams.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are going to be officially with the Sheriff\u2019s Activities League having a podcast room,\u201d Mr. Dimples said.<\/p>\n
As he grabbed a paintbrush himself, the vision for the renovated space extended beyond athletics. <\/p>\n
The goal is to transform the recreation center into a hub not only for sports, but also for job training, life skills development, and media education.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeach all the students how to podcast, how to do media it\u2019s amazing. Dimple Dreams,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
For volunteers like Jesus Salcido, the transformation already feels remarkable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis building when I first started here, it was dark,\u201d Salcido said. \u201cBut when I saw it today, I can\u2019t believe we did all of this in a day.\u201d<\/p>\n
While full renovations could take several months to complete, the progress made in just one day reflects the power of students, mentors, and community leaders working together. What was once a dim space is quickly becoming a brighter, more dynamic center\u2014designed to empower the next generation both inside and outside the ring.<\/p>\n