08 Oct Contra Costa Youth Service Bureau to Host Recognition and Fundraiser Event on Tuesday

A new scholarship is named for Richmond Police Chief Bisa French. (Richmond Confidential photo)

By Joe Porrello 

The first fundraiser for the new Bisa French Contra Costa College Administration of Justice Scholarship Fund will be held Tuesday in Richmond.

“We need to raise funds for this scholarship; it’s important for our youth,” said Contra Costa Youth Service Bureau interim Executive Director Marena Brown. 

The event will begin with a special recognition for 14-year-old Chase Belheumer and Eagle Scout Project Troop 224, along with mentor support specialist Ivonne Malave. 

Malave and Troop 224 recently joined forces to build an outdoor kitchen for CCYSB, a nonprofit organization that helps underserved foster youth get the resources they need.

“You have to see this grill they built for us; it’s absolutely beautiful,” said Brown. “We are just excited that our families, our kids, our youth, they have a place to come enjoy themselves outside.”

Brown had high praise for Belheumer. 

“I love working with him. I allowed him to take the lead,” she said. “I mean, just his vision and how he was so committed and made sure we had all the cooking gear.”

The troop from Lafayette also had help from the Richmond Boy Scouts, who pitched in on the project. 

Following the appreciation ceremony at the CCYSB Service Center, attendees will follow the board of directors to French’s scholarship fundraising event at Multicultural Bookstore. 

“We wanted to have a scholarship in Bisa’s name because she’s a parent that cares about our community,” said Brown, referring to the Richmond Police chief. “She lives in the community in which she serves.”

Brown said CCYSB isn’t satisfied with its new scholarship alone.

“We don’t want to have just one of our students; it would be nice to have several,” she said.

CCYSB will host a barbecue for the community and Troop 224 to christen its new grill Oct. 19.