The Friendship House Community Center is under construction and is set to open in 2007!!

HISTORY

Dr. John Whiteneck, a minister from the First Congregational Church in Bakersfield , founded FHCC in 1956.  His vision was to provide social, recreational, educational and community activities for residents of Southeast Bakersfield known as Carversville/ Crystal Heights as a part of his ministries to migrant farm workers.  During the 50s this area consisted of mainly farm worker camps and settlements. 

The first programs were held in neighborhood churches.  As his ministries grew, it became evident that a building was needed to continue to provide services.  The Kern County Land Company, predecessor to Tenneco West, originally owned the present site of the FHCC.  Arrangements were made to lease the five acres for $100 per year.  That amount was later reduced to a token fee of $1.00 per year, and eventually the Land Company deeded it to Friendship House Community Center Inc.  In 1958, Mr. Dezember made arrangements for an old army barracks from Minter Field to be moved to our current location.  A party of men from the local neighborhood donated their time to lay the foundation.  They tied an old iron fence to a tractor to clear the land.

Purpose and Objects

During its 40-year history, the FHCC has been responsible for fostering a great number of projects that have improved the lives of the resident in the community.  The FHCC continues to further the vision of its founding father, through its mission of providing social support and empowerment to all residents of Southeast Bakersfield through intervention, advocacy and education to promote the well-being and independence for youth and their families.