$50,000 gift from Ramos family establishes scholarship fund

From left, Ciriaco “Cid” Pinedo, president and chief executive officer of Children’s Fund; Terri Ramos; Olu-Ebube Meigs, one of the the first Ramos Family Scholarship recipients; James Ramos; Bill Nietschmann, Children’s Fund endowed scholarship committee chairman. The $60,000 check combines the $50,000 endowment for the Ramos Family Scholarship Fund and $10,000 that funded four recently awarded scholarships. 

Children’s Fund, a 30-year-old nonprofit focused on the needs of vulnerable children, recently announced the establishment of the Ramos Family Endowed Scholarship Fund.

James Ramos, a member of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, and his family gave $50,000 to establish the fund. They gave an additional $10,000 to fund $2,500 scholarships given recently to four students.

The Ramos Family Endowed Scholarship Fund will award scholarships in perpetuity to homeless, transitional, unaccompanied, foster, former foster and extended foster youth and to other vulnerable youth between the ages of 17 and 24. Priority will be given to Native American students, but the scholarships will also support students who are enrolled or accepted at community colleges, universities and accredited vocational schools in San Bernardino County.

“Our homeless and foster youth are among the most vulnerable populations in our communities. They also happen to be one of the most resilient groups,” Ramos said in a press release from Children’s Fund. “It is our hope that through the Ramos Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, we will open new opportunities for youth to succeed in college and create a better life for themselves.”

Ramos was born and raised on the San Manuel Indian Reservation and lived with his family in a mobile home when he was growing up. He received his associate degree at Victor Valley Community College and his bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from Cal State San Bernardino before attending the University of Redlands where he received a master’s degree in business administration.

Ramos and his wife, Terri, have four children and three grandchildren.

“Often times, an education is the only way our vulnerable youth can break the cycles of poverty,” said Ciriaco “Cid” Pinedo, president and chief executive officer of Children’s Fund, in the press release. “The Ramos Family Endowed Scholarships will provide much needed financial support to hundreds of students over the years and bring hope for a better future for each of them.”

The students who received the recently awarded $2,500 scholarships are Olu-Ebube Meigs of Mentone, Gianni Oquendo and Destiny Vasquez, both of San Bernardino, and Yiwen Tang of Ontario.

“I’m 18. I’m homeless,” Meigs said in the press release. “I was wondering what I was going to do, where I was going to go while I was waiting for financial aid for school. It’s a very long process,” Meigs said.

“The scholarship from the Ramos family helped me live while I was waiting. There was a sigh of relief when I heard I received the scholarship. It came at the very best time.”

Forty percent of the scholarship funds are designated for living and other expenses.

To grow the endowment and increase the number of scholarships awarded each year, the Ramos family has planned a scholarship breakfast fundraiser Aug. 23 at the University of Redlands.

For information about Children’s Fund, go to www.childrensfund.org or call 909-379-0000.

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.

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.  

Claremont Auxiliary Modifies Its Name, But Not Its Mission

Claremont,California: The Claremont West-End Auxiliary of Children’s Fund voted recently to shorten the name of the auxiliary from Claremont West-End Auxiliary of Children’s Fund to the West End Auxiliary of  Children’s Fund. 

This change was initiated to better represent the membership and the populations served by the auxiliary. There has been no change in the auxiliary’s vision and mission. They will continue to work with partners throughout San Bernardino and eastern Los Angeles County to provide support, opportunity, and hope to our most vulnerable children.

“We wish to thank those who have supported with us throughout the years and encourage anyone interested in working with us to break the destructive cycles of poverty, neglect and abuse and provide a brighter future for every child,” said Lou Ehresman, auxiliary President.

For more information about Children’s Fund and the work of the West End Auxiliary of Children’s Fund, you may contact Lou Ehresman at luehres@aol.com or visit the Children’s Fund website at www.childrensfundonline.org.

1,000 CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM SHOE DONATION

Through collaboration, many children benefit.

The gentlemen are, from the left:  Phil Cothran; Cid Pinedo, Children’s Fund President & CEO; Leon Ford, Fontana Foundation of Hope board member; and Jack Long, Fontana Foundation of Hope founder & board chair. The ladies are representatives from Fontana Boys & Girls Club, Community Action Partnership and Walden Family Services.

San Bernardino Co. (Friday, August 11, 2017) - Several local agencies benefitted from a donation of new shoes for children this week, thanks to a generous donation from Phil Cothran, a local Fontana businessman.  Thanks to a collaborative effort, nearly 1,000 children will receive new Sketchers “Crocs” shoes just in time for the new school year.

A special Thank You to Fontana Foundation of Hope for opening up their office for distribution of the shoes, and to the fourteen local nonprofits* for helping us get this donation in the hands (and the feet) of children.

This is the second time Mr. Cothran has donated children’s shoes to Children’s Fund.  In May, 995 pairs of shoes were also distributed.

*The fourteen nonprofits who received the shoe donation are: Building a Generation, Catholic Charities, Community Action Partnership San Bernardino, El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center, Fontana Boys and Girls Club, Helping Hands Kinship Support, Option House, Project Life Impact, Reach Out, Social Action Community Health Systems, South Coast Children’s Services, Veronica’s House, Victor Community Support Services, Walden Family Services.

DR. CID PINEDO NAMED CEO OF CHILDREN'S FUND

Dr. Ciriaco "Cid" Pinedo

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Ciriaco “Cid” Pinedo, Ed.D., a highly respected executive and educator, human services advocate, and fundraiser with deep roots in the Inland Empire, today was named Chief Executive Officer of the Children’s Fund.

Pinedo, 44, will guide the nonprofit organization in its mission of giving vulnerable children support, opportunity, and hope by breaking destructive cycles through his vast network of community partnerships.

He joins the Children’s Fund from the Hope through Housing Foundation, where he served as President. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer for National Community Renaissance and Associate Superintendent of Business Services and Economic Development for the Chaffey Community College District.

“Cid brings over 20 years of experience in the human services area and is highly respected for his innovation and community focus. We are thrilled to have him lead our dedicated staff in securing a bright future for every child,” said Neal Waner, Chairman of the Children’s Fund Board of Directors.

Children’s Fund was founded 30 years ago by Jack Brown, then Chairman and CEO of Stater Bros. Markets, and Patrick Morris, then presiding Judge of the San Bernardino County Juvenile Court, as a better way to deliver services to at-risk children. In that time, Children’s Fund has served more than 1.4 million children.

“Children’s Fund is an amazing organization, and I am honored to have this opportunity to serve and support the most vulnerable in our society,” Pinedo said. “It has been said that access without support is not opportunity, and I truly believe that holds true. Children who have experienced abuse, trauma, neglect, and disenfranchisement need our support and our advocacy.”

Pinedo grew up in El Monte, received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at St. John’s Seminary College in Camarillo, and his Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne.

He later became Director of Development at the University of La Verne, before moving to Chaffey College, where he spent nearly 12 years.

He is Vice Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles County Fair Association, and sits on the boards of the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, Southern California Edison’s Consumer Advisory Panel, and Bright Prospect. He is a past Chairman of the La Verne Planning Commission and Past Chairman of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

He will begin his new role at Children’s Fund on August 1, 2017.

“Growing up in an under-resourced community of poverty,” said Pinedo, “I learned that through hard work and commitment, we can be agents of change. Children’s Fund embodies that commitment, and I look forward to working with its great staff, board of directors, partners, and community advocates who positively impact children in need.”


For more information on Children’s Fund or how you can give children hope for brighter tomorrows, please visit Children’s Fund’s website at www.childrensfundonline.org or call 909.379.0000.