Spectrum celebrates partnership with Mexican American Opportunity Foundation

On Tuesday, Spectrum celebrated its third anniversary partnership with the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) with a $20,000 donation through Spectrum Community Center Assist, to support local communities in Bakersfield with job training programs.

The check was presented during a workshop for the vocational training program attended by students at the MAOF Skill Center. The celebration was joined by State Assemblymember Stan Ellis (R-32), Mayor Karen Goh and other community leaders who came out to show their support.

Spectrum first launched the partnership in August 2023 with a $50,000 grant, during which Spectrum employees and community volunteers helped make repairs and improvements to the MAOF Skill Center. Spectrum also provided 25 Chromebooks, a Smartboard and its advanced one gigabit-per-second internet service for MAOF’s new Spectrum Training & Technology Center.

“I am proud to recognize the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation and their Skill Center for being a critical resource here in Bakersfield,” said supervisor Leticia Perez. “With Spectrum’s $20,000 contribution and continued partnership, more people will be equipped with the necessary skills and experience to secure lasting careers and achieve their dreams.”

Marco Zavala, a participant in the program, shared how the Spectrum Training & Technology Center has impacted his life. He expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, crediting the center for turning his life around for the better.

“This program and sponsors like Spectrum help people like myself, I check all the boxes, jobless for years, homelessness, addictions, in and out of jails and institutions, and I did it for many years and one time I just decided to change my life,” Zavala said. “Places like this, they all think of you. I'm here to do something good for myself and it takes for places like this to give us opportunities to succeed and if you want to, you can.”

The mission of MAOF is to provide a better socioeconomic status for the Latino community in California, while preserving the pride, values and heritage of Mexican American culture. Founded in 1978, the MAOF Skill Center in Bakersfield provides individuals with the tools and skills needed for full-time employment in Kern County.

“This partnership with Spectrum has transformed our computer lab into a state-of-the-art learning environment, equipping tomorrow's workforce with essential job readiness skills,” said Yovani Jimenez, administrator at MAOF. "The new grant will enable us to continue offering wrap-around services to our students and work experience participants. Additionally, it will allow us to open our computer lab to the public, providing support with job searches.”

In 2021 Spectrum also launched the Community Center Assist and will invest $30 million to benefit 100 community centers and job training programs in underserved areas across the company’s 41-state footprint. 

At each location, Spectrum helps strengthen community centers by funding job training programs, upgrading classrooms, organizing volunteer events to repair and improve the spaces, and donating new equipment like laptops and furniture.