Wednesday, December 20, 2017

CHILDREN’S FUND RECEIVES SECOND INSTALLMENT OF $1,000,000 GRANT

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians provides funding
for Children’s Assessment Center

Dr. Ciriaco "Cid" Pinedo accepts the check from San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

SAN BERNARDINO, California (Thursday, December 21, 2017) – Nonprofit Children’s Fund received the second installment of the $1,000,000 grant the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians awarded for the Children’s Assessment Center in 2016. The grant will be awarded over a three-year period for increased services for San Bernardino's abused and neglected children being treated at the Center.

The Children's Assessment Center (CAC) treats children ages 0-18, as well as developmentally delayed young adults, from every area of San Bernardino County who are suspected victims of physical and sexual abuse, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.

“There are only about 300 child abuse doctors in the entire country,” says Dr. Amy Young, the Medical Director at the CAC.  “Therefore, the best way to secure more medical staff at the CAC is to offer Forensic Pediatric Fellowships, essentially growing and retaining local expertise.”

The grant from the San Manuel Tribe will fund a new Pediatric Fellow each year, for three years, and other medical personnel.  The CAC currently has two Fellows completing their training. Other medical personnel throughout the county are receiving on-going training in areas such as abusive head trauma, dental aspects of child abuse, and specialized training for nurse practitioners.

Child abuse, particularly experienced when children are young, causes stress that can disrupt early brain and physical development, placing mistreated young children at higher risk for health problems as adults.

Children who are abused or neglected also are more likely to repeat the cycle of violence by entering into violent relationships as teens and adults or abusing their own children.

At the CAC, victims not only receive treatment for the physical or sexual abuse.  The children also receive treatment and referrals for therapy for the trauma they’ve been through.

“The $300,000 received this year will be used to train more pediatric fellows and move the CAC toward long-term stability,” says Dr. Ciriaco “Cid” Pinedo, President & CEO of Children’s Fund. “Children are society’s most precious asset and with the support of San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, we will be able to increase our capacity at the CAC and treat over 3,000 children each year.”



The Children's Assessment Center (CAC) opened in 1994, in partnership between the County of San Bernardino, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital and Children's Fund to provide comprehensive services to child victims of maltreatment. For more information, visit http://www.cacsbc.com.  

Founded in 1986, Children’s Fund is a nonprofit whose mission is giving our vulnerable children support, opportunity and hope by breaking destructive cycles through community partnerships. Since its inception, Children’s Fund has served more than 1.5 million children. For more information on Children’s Fund or to learn how you can give a child hope for brighter tomorrows, go to www.childrensfund.org or call 909.379.0000.

Friday, December 15, 2017

LifeStream, Children’s Fund Team for Blood/toy Drive

Help save lives and stuff the bus!


SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. – Help save lives and stuff the bus!

LifeStream blood bank and Children’s Fund invite the Inland Empire community to help local hospital patients in need while making the holidays memorable for underserved San Bernardino County children.

LifeStream will collect lifesaving blood donations Sunday, Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside Celebration Hall at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center at the north end of Victoria Gardens, Rancho Cucamonga.

All blood donors receive a $15 Victoria Gardens gift card.

Parked just a few steps away, in the courtyard, will be a festively decorated LifeStream bus where new, unwrapped toys may be placed to be distributed by Children’s Fund.

“In this season of giving, LifeStream is proud to partner with Children’s Fund to help put smiles on the faces of local underprivileged children,” said Frederick Axelrod, MD, LifeStream’s president and CEO. 

“As this is a very challenging time of year to match community blood supplies with patient need, we urge our community to join us at Victoria Gardens Cultural Center to give the greatest of gifts this holiday season. And let’s ‘stuff the bus’ for those kids!” 

“Children’s Fund is excited to be collaborating with LifeStream, a nonprofit doing such important, life-saving work in our community,” said Dr. Ciriaco “Cid” Pinedo, Children’s Fund president and CEO.

“Providing toys during the holidays for children is important work as well.  Our society teaches children that when they are ‘good’ they will receive a toy at Christmas.  But what happens to the self-worth of a child whose parents can’t afford a gift? We do this campaign every year to ensure that children know that they are ‘good,’ that they are remembered, and that they are loved.”

Blood donors may walk-in but appointments are suggested and may be made by calling 800-879-4484 or visiting LStream.org. Donors must be at least 15 years of age (donors under 18 require a signed parental consent form; forms are available onsite), weigh at least 110 pounds, feel well, and present photo ID.

Donors should maintain their regular meal schedules and increase their fluid intake (water is best) in the 24 hours prior to donating.

LifeStream is a local, nonprofit blood center that provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals. For more information, call 800-879-4484 or go to LStream.org.

For more information on Children’s Fund or how you can give children hope for brighter tomorrows, please visit childrensfundonline.org or call 909-379-0000. 

Toy Drive for San Bernardino County Children in 29th Year



Children’s Fund plans to distribute 30,000 gifts this year




SAN BERNARDINO, California (Tuesday, December 5, 2017) – Children’s Fund, a nonprofit serving vulnerable children throughout San Bernardino County, will collect and distribute over 30,000 gifts for children this holiday season as part of their 29th Annual Celebration of Giving campaign.

“For some children, the only gift under the tree this year will be a Celebration of Giving toy from Children’s Fund,” said Ciriaco “Cid” Pinedo, President & CEO of Children’s Fund.

Children’s Fund is now collecting gifts for children ages 0-18 years old until December 15th.  All toy donations can be brought to 1140 E. Cooley Ave. in San Bernardino each weekday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

“We have a special need for gifts for kids ages 10-18.  Often, people’s first instincts are to buy toys for the little kids, but the older children need gifts too,” said Syrone Harvey, program coordinator at Children’s Fund. “Make-up and bath sets, curling irons, sports equipment, wallets, watches, alarm clocks, and ear phones are all good ideas for teenagers.”

Pinedo believes that receiving a gift during the holidays is a profound reminder to the children that others care for them, no matter their circumstances.  Every youth in foster care in San Bernardino County, which is close to 6,000 children, will receive a gift from Children’s Fund---just as they have for the past 29 years.

The Celebration of Giving campaign depends heavily on the community’s toy donations and major donors, including First 5 San Bernardino, Spark of Love, Arrowhead Credit Union, San Manuel Band of Indians, Southern California News Group, and many others.

To host a toy drive at your business, arrange a large delivery, make a monetary donation, or for more information, please call 909.379.0000, or go to www.childrensfund.org.