Get Focused, Stay Focused is excited to announce its participation in a state Perkins Innovation grant supporting the introduction of the Career Choices and Changes curriculum for adults in the Central Valley. Although the curriculum is mainly known for being offered in high schools and college, it is a proven success at helping adult learners move forward in their careers.

Kern Adult Education plans to provide 500 students with access to the curriculum before they enter job training or employment. The nonprofit will provide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) professional development for all teachers of the curriculum to support them in boosting student self-efficacy in their career planning.

A $10,000 grant was also awarded to GFSF by the Fansler Foundation to support DEI workshops and a Labor Market Roundtable event for high schools in Fresno and Tulare Counties. The GFSF nonprofit will convene community college faculty and employers to present on local high-wage, high-demand jobs to teachers, counselors, and administrators in GFSF schools so that students will have access to information on local workplace employment needs and where to train for those positions.

Santa Maria-Bonita School District has gone from using the GFSF middle school curriculum “Building a Bridge to Your Future” in a junior high summer enrichment program at a few of its junior high schools to using it for all 7th graders beginning this year.

Sarah Cameron, the district’s Coordinator of Teaching and Learning, explains why:

“As we started to implement our PreK–8th grade SMBSD College and Career Readiness Plan, we saw a need for all 7th graders to have some intentional and dedicated time to learn more about themselves, their interests, and for them to begin to think about their college and career goals. We also wanted to set the stage for their 8th grade Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway-aligned exploratory courses and high school CTE pathway selection. This program provides a great place for this valuable student reflection!”

David Wells, Department Chair for the district’s Career Exploration teachers, says the curriculum provides: “a lot of helpful insights to help our students prepare for their future.”

Sunday November 13th from 6pm to 8pm Pacific

GFSF is excited to announce its second annual virtual Trivia "Fun-Raiser" Night. We had so much fun last year, we wanted to do it again this year!

Last year we had over 70 participants, and we hope to double that this year. Because the event is on Zoom, participants can join from anywhere—in any state (or country)!

• Organize your own team (4–6 players), then break out the wine and cheese and play together virtually or as a team at your home. Individuals are welcome! Just ask to be placed on a virtual team that needs players.
• Gather friends with different areas of expertise and interests to increase your team’s chance of winning. Enjoy four rounds of trivia questions with your team in a virtual breakout room.

Recently, the GFSF nonprofit was thrilled to receive a donation of several works of art from Dr. Robert and Fern Bronfman, benefactors who relocated to California from Florida. This artwork is currently being valued and will be auctioned. The proceeds will go to support the work of the GFSF nonprofit. Four of the pieces are currently available and on display at the “Driving Miss Daisy” auction and consignment store in Santa Barbara in the old Sears building.

Locals to the Santa Barbara area who would like to donate art, antiques, etc. with the proceeds going to the Get Focused, Stay Focused nonprofit are welcome to drop them off at the store. Please also email GFSF Board member Linda Schwartz to let her know that you have made the donation so we can acknowledge you. Thank you!