Queen Jackie opened the morning meeting promptly, welcoming members to another spirited gathering of Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary at Seven Oaks Country Club. Greeters Ron Nelms and John Sabovich made sure everyone was met with a handshake and a smile as they came through the door. Stephanie Baker offered a thoughtful invocation, followed by the flag salute led by Mary Jo Pacek. We then joined song leader Carol E Smith in a rousing rendition of “Grand Old Flag” to set the tone for the day.​

We were pleased to welcome guests Debbie Omondo and Alyssa from Be Finally Free, hosted by Rotarian Karen Bonano. There were no visiting Rotarians this week, but our guests added great energy and perspective to the meeting.​

Our speaker was Debbie Omondo, founder and president of Be Finally Free, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to addressing addiction, incarceration, homelessness, violence, and generational trauma. Debbie shared her powerful personal story, including the tragic murder of her 17‑year‑old niece and her own journey of forgiveness that led her to visit the perpetrator, Nicholas Larsen, in prison. She emphasized the insight that “broken people break people,” and the need to intervene early so untreated trauma and unaddressed pain do not spiral into further harm.​

Debbie described how she left a long career in the security industry to launch Be Finally Free, which now employs 29 people, 27 of whom have lived experience with issues like addiction, incarceration, or homelessness. The organization focuses on accountability and restoration, offering a “hand up, not a handout” through year‑long case management, housing navigation, workforce development, and classes in parenting, anger management, life skills, and more. In 2025 alone, Be Finally Free reached more than 11,500 people in Kern County, and their outreach and beautification contract in Old Town Kern has helped place 422 individuals into shelter, recovery homes, or detox since September.​

She also highlighted Be Finally Free’s prison and jail ministry, extensive partnerships with groups like the Mission of Kern County and local recovery programs, and an international project in Liberia where a school for 300 students has been built. Debbie closed with stories of changed lives—like “Bree,” who went from a life sentence at 15 to becoming a working, contributing member of the community—and a call to action for employers and community members to become second‑chance partners and mentors. Her message reinforced that the difference between relapse and restoration is often one relationship willing to invest in someone’s future.​

We recognized birthday celebrant Darrin Blunt, whose birthday falls on February 26, even though he was not in attendance. Wedding congratulations went to Kay and Brian on their 45th anniversary, celebrated on February 28 at a CSUB basketball game. Club anniversaries included Char Vega(3 years on February 22), Shane Bryan (3 years on February 22), and Jeff & Donna Schwartz (5 years on February 24).​

There was plenty of good news to share, including a Happy Spot from John Guerard, who contributed 20 dollars after returning from travels to New Zealand and Australia and bringing back a Koala Bear tea towel as a gift. On the fines side, Karen Bonano was recognized for “Living Large” with a 25‑dollar fine, and Queen Jackie was assessed a 30‑dollar fine for 1.5 infractions.​

Members were reminded of several upcoming social and service opportunities, including the Family Ice Cream Social at Rosemary’s Creamery on March 12 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. and a Links for Life project assembling chemo care bags on Thursday, February 26 at 5:30 p.m. at 5301 Office Park Dr., Suite 370. Other announcements included KERN YES volunteer needs, a Fireside Chat on March 26 from 6–8 p.m. at Queen Jackie’s house, storage unit help needed at Derrel’s Mini Storage on March 10, and volunteer support for the Bakersfield Leadership & Ethics Conference that same morning. Members also heard updates on Directors Awards submissions, Tom Burke’s recovery and rehab progress, and the 50/50 drawing, which was won by Ken Quarnberg for 45 dollars.

 

                                       

 

 

See you next week when our speaker will be Bakersfield City Manager Christian Clegg.