Children First is excited to host our Fourth Annual Literacy Gala, on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 6:00pm to 10pm at Seven Oaks Country Club.

From its humble beginnings as a fundraiser for our literacy program, our gala has evolved into one of Bakersfield’s premier Dia de los Muertos Celebrations. Featuring art, music, and dancing in an elegant setting, as it beautifully honors the essence of the holiday. This year’s gala theme, Stories of Strength, celebrates the resilience, creativity, and shared cultural wisdom that shape our community and the children we serve.

Our gala is an essential pillar in funding our programming at Children First. Our literacy program began in spring of 2022, with Williams Elementary School. Thanks to your support, it will be expanding to more schools in the Bakersfield City School District for the 2024/2025 school year. Literacy is an essential element to a child’s development and opens the door to a brighter future. There are so many ways Children First would like to broaden our circle of positive influence and strengthen a culture of reading in East Bakersfield, but we need the help of generous community members like you!                                        

At this special gala, you’ll be transported into a colorful world filled with wonder and beauty inspired by Dia De Los Muertos. Guests are invited to embrace the season for a night of music, dinner, and art. Join us as we celebrate life and literacy and help us raise money for our Literacy Program to support more students in need!