First 5 San Bernardino provides more than 8,000 Gifts

$50,000 Grant to Children’s Fund helps underprivileged children during Holidays

Board of Supervisors James Ramos, Janice Rutherford, and Josie Gonzales are pictured with Linda Haugan, Asst. Executive Officer of Human Services and First 5 Commissioner; and Erin Phillips, President & CEO, Children’s Fund; along with Board of Supervisors Curt Hagman and Robert Lovingood

More than 8,000 disadvantaged young children in San Bernardino County are receiving holiday gifts because of the $50,000 grant provided to Children’s Fund from First 5 San Bernardino.

The check presentation was made on Tuesday, December 16 at the Board of Supervisors meeting in San Bernardino County.

“This grant demonstrates the strong partnership we have with First 5 San Bernardino, ensuring that these precious children will receive a gift during the holidays, which may be the only gift received,” says Erin Phillips, President & CEO of Children’s Fund.  “With childhood poverty creeping above 28%, sometimes it’s the simplest things, things that we may take for granted, that matter the most to our children.”

This is the 26th year of the Children’s Fund Celebration of Giving Campaign, and it is because of partners like First 5 San Bernardino that the campaign continues to provide more than 20,000 gifts each year within the Inland Empire. Other partners include various departments of the County of San Bernardino, Spark of Love, Stater Bros. Markets, Arrowhead Credit Union, Amazon.com, KFROG, and generous other local businesses and residents who participate in this campaign.

“It truly is about the kids,” exclaims Karen E. Scott, Executive Director of First 5 San Bernardino.  “At First 5 we strive to provide optimal health and development for young children and their families.  Our relationship with Children’s Fund is a perfect example of both entities working towards the same goal.” First 5 San Bernardino was created in December 1998 in order to realize the benefits of the California Children and Families Act.  The act created a program for the purpose of promoting, supporting and improving the early development of children from the prenatal stage to five years of age.

MORE EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO BE AWARDED

U.S. Bank awards Children’s Fund $20,000 Grant for foster and former foster youth education

SAN BERNARDINO, California  (Wednesday, December 3, 2014) – U.S. Bank Foundation has approved and presented $20,000 for Children’s Fund Foster Youth Educational Programs which will empower foster and former foster youth through higher education.

Erin Phillips (l) and Lee Jackman (r) accept check from U.S. Bank

Caitlin, a participant in Children’s Fund educational program, is a great example of how U.S. Bank’s grant to Children’s Fund Scholarship Fund makes a difference to foster youth in our local communities.  At the age of 11, Caitlin was left alone at home after her mom had been incarcerated.  Trying to maintain a normal existence, Caitlin would get herself dressed, pick oranges from the backyard tree for food, and walk one mile to school each day.  She did this for two weeks before a neighbor noticed something was wrong and called authorities.  She entered the foster care system, being placed in a kinship program with her sister at her grandmother’s.  At the age of 16, Caitlin became pregnant and decided that she wanted more for her young daughter. Through California State University – San Bernardino Caitlin has received a scholarship from Children’s Fund to be able to continue her education. 

“I am so thankful to Children’s Fund, this quarter alone the cost of my books are $800, and the scholarship helps me continue to get my education.”  Caitlin, now the mother to two children, is currently a senior, works at CVS in the pharmacy, and plans to attend Loma Linda Medical University to acquire her Pharmaceutical degree.  “I want my children to be secure,” states Caitlin. “My strength are my children, and I am so grateful for those who have helped me along the way.”

“Seeing the tenacity of children who work hard through their difficult circumstances is inspiring,” says Richard Madsen, Senior Vice President & Regional Manager of U.S. Bank. “U.S. Bank is proud to partner with Children’s Fund to help these children achieve their goals.”

Less than 5% of foster or former foster youth graduate from college with four year degrees. “Every child should believe that their dreams matter, and that they have a future,” says Erin Phillips, President & CEO of Children’s Fund. “It is because of generous financial partners, like U.S. Bank, that youth from our own communities have a real opportunity to change their own story through education, maybe even for generations to come.”  In the past year, Children’s Fund has helped more than 53,000 children from every area of San Bernardino County.