11:30 a.m. tour, 12 noon ceremony in East Bakersfield
150-unit complex dedicated to Bakersfield family
that pioneered farm labor and Latino causes
Govea Gardens, a 150-unit amenity-rich affordable apartment housing complex for low- and very-low income residents is being dedicated Friday to a Bakersfield family that pioneered Latino civil rights and farm labor causes. Joining the Govea family are United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez, county Supervisor Michael Rubio and Paul Chavez, son of Cesar Chavez and president of the National Farm Workers Service Center Inc., which built the project.
In 1954, when Cesar Chavez set up a Bakersfield chapter of the Community Service Organization, the largest and most militant Latino civil rights group of its day, Juan and Margaret Govea quickly joined. They helped immigrants become U.S. citizens, fought for neighborhood improvements and resisted police mistreatment.
When the Delano Grape Strike began in 1965, the Govea’s daughter, Jessica, joined Chavez’s UFW. Over the years she organized two grape boycotts in Canada that produced union table grape contracts and the state’s landmark farm labor law. She served as a UFW leader in the 1970s, part of long career championing workers.
Govea Gardens consists of 12 two- and 10 three-story wood frame and stucco buildings of townhouses and flats on landscaped grounds. Monthly rents range from $332 to $617 for two-bedroom apartments. All units feature energy-efficient ovens and refrigerators, central heat and air, cable TV hookups, high-speed Internet access and carpeting. Grounds boast open courtyards, a basketball court, tot lot and outdoor activity areas.
The National Farm Workers Service Center provides a full-time on-site resident services coordinator supervising a variety of programs in a large community center. They vary from free daycare for children under six to homework help for adolescents to computer literacy classes for adults.
Who: UFW President Arturo Rodriguez, NFWSC President Paul Chavez, county Supervisor Michael Rubio and Govea family members.
What: Grand opening of Govea Gardens, an amenity-intensive 150-unit affordable housing complex named for a pioneering Bakersfield family.
When: 11:30 a.m. tour; 12 noon dedication, Friday, March 9, 2006.
Where: Govea Gardens, 1054 Washington St. (at California Ave.) Bakersfield 93307.
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