Bakersfield Homeless Center

Bethany Services, founded in 1972, is a private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that owns and operates Bakersfield Homeless Center (BHC). They have provided year-around emergency shelter, food, clothing and supportive services for many years.  The mission of BHC is to support homeless families and individuals while facilitating the transition to self-reliant community living.

Homeless families and single women are the primary population served at BHC along with a few single men.  BHC is the only homeless family shelter within the 8,200 sq. miles of Kern County and the largest shelter in the Central Valley of California.  On any given night, up to 100 children call the Bakersfield Homeless Center “home”.  Homeless children are children in crisis.  These people have lost their homes and are trying to not only cope with but function to a high degree in a shelter environment.

Housing Search and Placement, a program within BHC, focuses on many fundamental components associated with the transition into permanent residence including budgeting assistance, provision of household items and transportation, as well as improving ones credit and credibility.

This past year, with assistance from Lennar Charitable Housing Foundation, BHC had realized a 73% increase in number of families served.  More than 1,200 families were served this past year, with 2,600 individuals being children.