Bakersfield Art Association

In 1994, Dr. Bobbie George, Emeritus Faculty of Cal State University of Bakersfield, created the idea of the R.O.S.E. mentoring program. She was a driving force behind the program from its inception. R.O.S.E. is an acronym for realizing options for student excellence. The program was developed to support young women in their junior and senior years of high school. The students in the R.O.S.E. program are selected by their high school counselors because they demonstrate potential for success. It is believed that they will benefit from mentoring and career building activities.

The program consists of several seminars for mentors and mentees covering a wide range of topics. The seminars are designed to help participants better recognize their value and self worth. All R.O.S.E. students receive a scholarship to cover the cost of attending Options Unlimited Women’s Business Conference. The adult mentors act as role models to encourage students to formulate and set goals, and to continue their education through high school graduation, and beyond.

Additionally, mentors and their R.O.S.E. students meet once or twice a month between January and May. These informal get-togethers give mentors and students the opportunity to develop a deeply supportive and trusting relationship. The women who take on the role of the mentor consistently remark that they receive as much from the program as the students they mentor.

Over the years, approximately 280 high school students have had the opportunity to shadow an adult mentor. Volunteers from State Farm Insurance are now facilitating the R.O.S.E. Program. State Farm has had a long-standing relationship with the R.O.S.E. Program. In addition to supporting the Program financially, many women from the company have been mentors over the years. We are happy to have State Farm continue as a primary supporter of this valuable program.

If you want to experience the joy of helping a young woman succeed, please contact Options Unlimited about becoming a R.O.S.E. Mentor at (661) 378-4707 or look us up on the web at www.bakersfieldwomen.org. Please visit us at the Conference Trade Fair.