Volunteer Service Projects
Quarterly community service events — food banks, park clean-ups, elder outreach — with youth from multiple faith communities working side by side.
Launching in Bakersfield · August 2026
A launchpad for youth leadership through interfaith service.
The Bakersfield Youth Interfaith Alliance brings high school students together across faith traditions to serve our community, build lasting friendships, and shape the next generation of Kern County leaders.
Our Mission
Using faith as a moral compass for social action.
Bakersfield is home to Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, and many other traditions — yet our high school students rarely have structured opportunities to serve together or build genuine friendships across these communities.
BYIA creates a safe, brave space for interfaith dialogue and civic action. We equip youth with the tools to lead with empathy, respect, and understanding — while strengthening their own faith through service to neighbors.
A generation of Bakersfield students who understand and respect one another's traditions will grow into the leaders our community deserves.
What We Do
Six programs designed by youth, for youth — grounded in service and interfaith understanding.
Interfaith Dialogue Forums
Monthly forums, panels, and small-group discussions where students explore shared values, ask honest questions, and learn from one another's traditions.
Youth Leadership Board
A student-led board that plans events, sets program direction, and builds real leadership skills — with adult mentorship and a real seat at the table.
Community Events
Annual interfaith unity fair, holiday service projects, and cultural celebrations open to all Bakersfield high school students and their families.
Faith Community Partnerships
Partnerships with churches, mosques, temples, synagogues, and other houses of worship across Kern County to lift up youth voices together.
School Outreach
Presentations and student clubs in Bakersfield-area high schools on interfaith understanding, civic values, and everyday empathy.
Respect
Every tradition matters.
Empathy
Lead from a place of care.
Service
Action over words.
Community
Stronger together.
Our Founding Timeline
BYIA is in the founding phase. Here's where we are — and how you can be part of what comes next.
Vision & Mission Established
Founding board members drafted the mission and identified community partners across faith traditions.
California Incorporation & 501(c)(3) Filing
Filed Articles of Incorporation as a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation and secured IRS 501(c)(3) status. EIN 42-3750212.
Building the Founding Cohort
Recruiting the first Youth Leadership Board and 15–20 founding student members from Bakersfield high schools. First Meeting Aug 20 @5:30pm.
First Service Project & Interfaith Forum
Launching our first community service project and interfaith dialogue event in Kern County.
Grand Opening & Annual Unity Fair
Public celebration of BYIA's founding with an interfaith unity fair open to the entire Bakersfield community.
Upcoming Events
Join us for volunteer projects, interfaith dialogues, and community gatherings.
20
AUG
BYIA First Meeting
High school students in Bakersfield — you’re invited to BYIA’s first meeting! Join us on Zoom to meet youth from…
Learn more →Our Founding Team
Meet the community leaders building BYIA from the ground up.
Imandeep Matharu
Founder
SikhJunior at Stockdale High School and founder of BYIA. Longtime volunteer at his Sikh gurdwara and active in NHS, Interact, Sikh Honor Society, and Boy Scouts.
Get Involved with BYIA
Whether you're a high school student, parent, faith leader, educator, or community partner — we'd love to hear from you. Tell us how you'd like to be part of this launch.
- Join the founding student cohort or Youth Leadership Board
- Partner your congregation, school, or organization with BYIA
- Volunteer as an adult mentor or program advisor
- Support our launch with a donation or in-kind gift
- Get email updates as we grow — no spam, just real news
Send us a message
We'll get back to you within a few days.
Prefer to email directly?
Reach the BYIA founding team at hello@bakersfieldyia.org