LIGHTWAVE EDUCATION

Lightwave Education has at its heart the goal of transforming our community through education, mentoring and community outreach. Our short terms goals include a fully funded Freedom School program conducted in partnership with Kern Superintendent of Schools, solidifying our mentoring program for girls, a roster of four-six classes in our education division, a robust Holiday Food Distribution program, strengthen our volunteer program, Light in the Community and provide a scholarship for gifted high school music students. In the next three to five years, our goal is to have five Freedom Schools sites throughout Kern County. Our five key components include high quality academics, parent and family involvement, civic engagement and social action, intergenerational leadership development and a focus on nutrition, physical and mental health. These are at the core of all of our programs. LightWave Education is the umbrella organization that coordinates the activities of the above mentioned programs. Our goal is to partner with like-focused agencies, foundations and private concerned individuals to reach our goal. We know shared resources double, even triple the efforts of a few. The LightBeams started with 11 individuals and we fully expect it will increase in 2015 due to its success this year. We understand it is important to expand carefully and build a strong foundation first before dramatically increasing the number of participants. Our Holiday Food Distribution Program has been steady over the past 4 years reaching the most needy families who are difficult to reach due to factors such as institutional mistrust, shifting addresses and mental illness. To extend our reach as Light in the Community program, we became trained lay facilitators to teach Dignity Health's Empowerment Seminars which focus on health eating and self-management through education. Also in partnership with Central Church we are planting a community garden and adding an after school program to reach the youngest members of our community in eight week increments. In 2015 we are expecting to debut a children's choir.

Our strategies for reaching our goals for Lightwave Education include:
1. Building and strengthening our Board of Directors. As a young organization we have an extremely dedicated Board and can benefit by adding new community leaders who share similar values and can advance the mission.
2. Developing new partnerships and maintaining existing relationships with partners. In order to grow we must add new partners as well as draw upon the resources of our existing partnerships.
3. Increase our funding resources through good data hygiene and hosting monthly informational meeting with prospective donors and partners. Develop marketing materials for prospective donors and on line community. We have conducted our first monthly informational meeting for 2015 in September. The more informed our potential partners are about our programs the better we are able to determine common areas and means of support.
4.Developing solid Logic Models for program planning, monitoring and evaluation.
5.Quantify critical success factors with defined metrics and eliminate programs that produce drag.
6.Enhance and refine social media presence.
7.Revamp web presence to more accurately reflect our expanded services.
8. Continue annual Board retreats and committees to develop, focus and refine our efforts.
Currently we are working on our 3rd annual benefit concert which is our largest fundraiser of the year. It is held each year at Stockdale County Club. We are preparing sponsorship materials to invite support from local businesses, foundations which is a change from 2014. It will assist with the cost to produce the event and more funds can be directed to programs.

Our greatest resource is our staff and our networks. We have a dedicated Board of Directors and an extended group of volunteers who support with their resources the programs of Lightwave Education. In 2014 Lightwave Education Executive Director co-founded the Second District Freedom School Collaborative in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Freedom School Directors. The CDF Freedom School Program is an award winning national program, the first of its kind in Central California. The "Collaborative" increases the number of students impacted each summer (1000 students), increases our buying power, while reducing costs(10%) and is more attractive to larger donors who want greater impact.
In addition the new CDF Freedom School Executive Director for the State of California was the Senior Deputy and lead on the initial launch of the Freedom Schools. He is passionate advocate for children and is focused on growth. His understanding of the program makes him a powerful voice for the expansion of Freedom Schools.It allows us access to more member of the region and access to programs.
As a new member of the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, we have already benefited significantly by increasing our networks. We were recognized by Call to Action for a Healthy Kern along with Central Church as a "CTA Champion" for our work promoting healthy lifestyles. Partnering and networking with these groups extend our reach and increase our visibility.
Our volunteers include world class photographer, trained mentors and teachers, community leaders, local marketing agency with over 30 years experience and a relationship with the local colleges. We hired a Chef from Bakersfield College to operate our food program significantly reducing our food preparation and meal costs 23% over previous years.

Lightwave Education's outcomes are to establish lasting partnerships that continue to build connection within the community. For example partnering with Central Church to plant a community garden in 2015. As the garden grows so will pride and a sense of ownership. By supporting neighborhood children to increase their ability to read and work cooperatively, we are creating safer communities. Students stay engaged in positive activities and are ready for school in the fall. What works?
We have learned the informational meetings work. Working the other agencies like the Family Resource Centers work. Sending out information with our video works better than without it.Spending time one on one with prospective donors works.
We learned family events outside of their local area, does not work.
We learned charging a small registration fee increased a sense of ownership and buy in from parents. We have a waiting list each year and parents who were active during the previous summer program are invited back during any early enrollment period.
Some observations: We have a good reputation in community. We started a high quality program and it has been successful. We can measure the number of students and meals, the number of training modules attended and completed. Our Freedom School program is a model for other sites. Our video is used as an introduction and orientation tool for new sites.
Recommendations: Increase our liquidity, develop a reliable and diverse mix of revenue sources, continue to build visibility in community and update and enhance social media presence and marketing materials.