The Vulnerable

Did you know?

According to a recent study 1 in 9 young Americans are neither enrolled in school nor employed. This is concerning when taking into account that high school dropouts are more than 8x as likely to commit crimes and serve prison time. This is why we are committed to reaching at-risk youth.

Another disturbing study indicates that 7 in 10 teens say anxiety and depression are major problems among their peers. Today’s youth face unprecedented challenges. 1 out of 4 people will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime. Unfortunately, less than half of those with a mental illness seek help. As a church, we can break the stigma and be the Christ-centered wellness support for those struggling with mental health issues. ⁠

Since the infamous ruling of Roe v. Wade in 1973, over 63 million lives have been lost. Some were conceived at less than ideal times while others were aborted for being created differently, having special needs or disabilities. Knowing this, limiting abortion to being a “women’s issue” drastically misrepresents the problem. Moreover, it oppresses the voice of a weaker and silent minority: preborn children. Abortion isn't a women's issue, it''s a human rights issue and for this reason, on this issue, we will not be silent.

Nearly one-billion people around the world live with a disability. Often, not only do the disabled live in despair, but the families of those who have a special need lose hope. Canyon Hills is committed to come alongside families who have special needs to love and support them.

How can you make a difference?

Champion's Club

Champions Club is a specially designed developmental area for kids, youth, and adults with special needs. This program meets the developmental needs of those with special needs in four important ways: spiritually, intellectually, mentally and physically. Our focus is on spiritual growth through God’s Word, developing the intellect of each participant through the five senses, educationally through various learning tools, as well as engaging the participant physically during active gross motor fun.

By providing care for children, teens and adults with special needs, we are able to minister to the entire family.

We offer care for children with special needs during our Sunday morning services at Champion’s Club and have developed a program for adults with special needs called Big Champs that also meets every Sunday.

Safe Harbor Homes

In the United States, there are approximately 270,000 adults with special needs on waiting lists for homes, plus there are 1,000,000 homes where adults with special needs are living with aging family members and in 2/3 of these families there is no plan in place for the future. There is a desperate need where these well-deserving people can receive the care they need; homes where their parents can confidently place their adult children for the rest of their lives.

Canyon Hills is proud to partner with Safe Harbor Homes to provide the first home of it's kind offering wheelchair accessibility, spacious rooms, a large kitchen and eating area, 8 baths, a lovely pool and spa, lots of lawns, much open space, and a farm area with chicken coups, a greenhouse, and animals.

Trained caregivers meet the needs and interests of each resident by providing times of worship and Bible study; church attendance, fun and learning activities, celebrations; local and out of the area trips; community involvement; nutritious meals, medical and therapeutic care so that our residents can continue to grow and achieve their God-given potential.

Stay Focused

Since 1991, Stay Focused Ministries has worked in our community to provide inspiration and intervention for at-risk youth through large community outreach events, school assemblies, and mentorship.

Through its Reach For Greatness Mentoring Program, Stay Focused provides school-based, one on one and group mentoring relationships to at-risk and high-risk students in 27 schools including youth with an incarcerated parent and group mentoring to incarcerated and high-risk youth. Their program focuses on character development, learning to make the right choices and hope for the future.

Many students are waiting to be connected with a mentor. One hour a week could change the trajectory of the life of a child forever.

Bakersfield Pregnancy Center

Since 1985, the Bakersfield Pregnancy Center has partnered with Kern County churches, community agencies, health care providers and individuals to meet the needs of people facing pregnancy-related concerns. The Center provides pregnancy tests and medical verifications, material assistance, pregnancy counseling, first-trimester ultrasound, post-abortion and post-miscarriage peer counseling, and abstinence education. All services are free of charge. In more than 30 years of service, the Center has assisted over 40,000 clients in Kern County.

The Bakersfield Pregnancy Center operates a medical mobile clinic from Image Clear Ultrasound. All services are donor-support and free of charge to the patients. Because of the support of the Bakersfield Pregnancy Center, many mothers have chosen to give their babies life.

Kern County Right to Life

Right to Life of Kern County is a pro-life advocacy and educational organization that advocates for life-affirming alternatives to abortion and assisted suicide. By engaging in public education and grassroots lobbying efforts, they inform the public on these issues and urge elected officials to uphold policies that value the sanctity of life. Right to Life Kern Country is a vital organization in the community and we’re honored to partner with them in the fight for life.