A new one-stop resource center for foster youth will celebrate its expansion by opening a new facility in Downtown Bakersfield on Wednesday.
The Dream Center, serving nearly 200 foster children and young adults a week moved to a larger location to better meet the needs of foster youth in Kern County, especially those who are homeless.
The resource center is open to current and former foster youth up to 24 years old and is now offering resources like showers, laundry, emergency hygiene products, clothing and shoes for those who need it.
The Dream Center will also provide people with Internet access, help with homework and assistance with applying for state benefits.
With the thousands of foster youth in Kern County that need help, the expansion was not only welcome but necessary.
"We didn't have the space to be able to accommodate them. So the superintendent of schools office realized that if we had a bigger, better facility that we would be able to dramatically expand," Child and Family Sources Coordinator Jayme Stuart said.
The Dream Center will hold its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at their new location: 1801 19th Street.
The resource center is open to giving anyone interested in becoming involved with the organization a tour of the new Dream Center.
