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.

BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES WANTED FOR FOSTER YOUTH

Give Our Youth What They Need to be Successful

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – (Friday, June 16, 2017) – Children’s Fund is requesting donations of new backpacks and school supplies for San Bernardino County foster and other vulnerable youth who are attending school in the fall.

“To benefit the youth in our county most in need, we are collecting new backpacks and school supplies until July 12^th,” states Betty Chambers, program manager of Children’s Fund. “The first day of school is important.  Something as simple as new school supplies and a cool backpack gives our county’s youth pride and confidence.” 

The collection occurs in the summer to allow plenty of time to deliver to Children and Family Services for distribution to the youth by the first day of school in August.

“Children’s Fund’s mission is about giving our county’s vulnerable children support, opportunity and hope,” says Beth Spalding, Children’s Fund Operations Manager. “When we provide new backpacks and school supplies to them, we are letting them know that we believe in them.”

Children’s Fund relies on community partnerships with other nonprofit organizations, businesses, churches, and individuals to host a collection box and collect backpacks and school supplies.  “If you would like to organize a backpack collection at your organization, please contact us at 909.379.0000,” states Chambers. “The smile on a child’s face is priceless and we thank our community partners for making those smiles bright.”

Backpack and school supply donations are being accepted at Children’s Fund, 348 W. Hospitality Lane, Suite 110, San Bernardino, CA 92408 through Wednesday, July 12, 2017.  Or, you can make a monetary donation, and Children’s Fund will do the shopping for you. Donations can be made at the office, or online at www.childrensfundonline.org. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.childrensfundonline.org/backpack-drive.

  

Created 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.  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.  Follow us on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/W4Wymf

HOME TOUR PROVES THREE'S A CHARM

Article first published in the Claremont Courier on April 28, 2017

Three examples of Claremont’s unique residential character were on display for the annual Children’s Fund Home Tour.

The tour, which took place on April 22 and 23, gave people an opportunity to tour the homes while also donating to charity. All of the proceeds from the ticket sales go to the West End chapter of the Children’s Fund, which includes Claremont, according to Children’s Fund Claremont Chapter President Dr. Wanda Pyle.

The Children’s Fund, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, was established to serve and provide aid to children in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties who are abused, neglected and impoverished, according to Ms. Pyle. The home tour has been around for over a decade, and routinely brings in donations in the tens of thousands.

This year, the tour started off with a fundraising gala at the DoubleTree Hotel on Friday, April 21. Ms. Pyle noted that the gala alone raised around $6,000 for the fund.

In addition to the home tour tickets, which ran about $35 a pop, artwork by local artists was dutifully placed around the homes for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going toward the fund.

Ms. Pyle was quick to point out that each home had no restaging just for the tour—the homes were presented to the patron in exactly the same states as they are for the owners.

“These are the homes they live in,” she said.

The first house on the tour is a massive gray mansion located on Grand Avenue. The home belongs to Bill and Judi Manis, who built the home in 1998 after buying the plot of land two years earlier.

Bill, the city manager for Rosemead, and Judi, a vice president for AT&T, transformed their dream home into a Tuscan-inspired oasis peppered with family heirlooms.

One of the first amenities one sees when entering the home—besides the grand staircase—is a massive grandfather clock, which has been in Judi’s family since it was shipped from England in 1878. Atop the towering timepiece is an artful depiction of the lunar cycle.

Another family heirloom on display is a dining room table belonging to Judi’s father. The four-bedroom, six-bathroom home also includes an impressive home theater, complete with comfortable couches and a massive flat-screen television. The room was once used as a playroom for the kids, Bill explained, but once they grew up and moved out of the house the couple reclaimed the room for themselves.

The theater is adorned with original prints of posters for the Mexican Players of the Padua Hills Theater, an important and enthralling piece of early Claremont history. Bill Manis explained that the son of Frank Vecchio, the artist, gifted the posters to him after the elder Mr. Vecchio passed away.

Nearly every room in the house evokes images of the Italian countryside. From the halls to the master bathroom, visitors feel like they are in a Tuscan villa.

“We tried to stay, as much as possible, true to that theme,” Judi said.

The second home on the tour is a brand-new addition to the neighborhood—a smartly designed contemporary home on 731 Hood Drive. The 3,060-square-foot home, which has four bedrooms and three-and-half bathrooms, was designed by local Claremont architects Wheeler & Wheeler.

According to Children’s Fund docent Linda Rice, the home sits on what was originally a vacant lot for the children of the next-door neighbors to play in. Now, a grand, modern home with craftsman and country-inspired designs takes its place.

The house also presented patrons with an exclusive sneak-peek—the residence would not be officially listed for sale until the following Monday.

“It’s such an advantage for us,” said Ms. Rice. “Everyone in Claremont wanted to see this house.”

The house has officially been listed for $1.85 million.

Since the house doesn’t have an owner as of yet, it was turned into a makeshift art gallery with portraits and sculptures from local artists such as Jenny Simpson and Christy Johnson displayed everywhere, from the bedrooms to the garage.

The house features a beautiful kitchen with a restaurant-grade stove and refrigerator, two modern bathrooms with sleek stainless steel showerheads and, of course, a fireplace on the balcony of the upstairs master suite.

All of these modern amenities are coated in cool hues of sea foam green and eggshell white, colors that elicit a calming effect softening the industrial design.

The third and final home on the tour is nestled deep within Webb Canyon, and required a shuttle service to get to it. The home may not look particularly dramatic on the outside, but inside it showcases the homeowners’ deep passions for travel and culture.

The home, belonging to Bill and Carol Christiansen, is full of remnants of the couple’s travels around the world. Bill’s photographs of the people and places they’ve encountered, from women in Africa to Dracula’s castle in the mountains of Transylvania, are stationed throughout the home.

The house is a study of modern and ancient contrasts, none more so than the new flat-screen television sitting atop an ornate Tibetan altar. The blood-red, gold and black hues make the piece an eye-catching addition.

But the pièce de résistance of the home is the sweeping view of Webb Canyon from the home’s back porch. The house sits along the edge of a terraced cliff that, like the situation of Manis home, is reminiscent of rural Italy. The terrace is peppered with different fruit trees and art pieces.

The home’s rural location also allows the Christiansens to come into contact with Claremont’s wilder natives. In one instance, a brown bear ambled its way onto the property in search of food. Instead of running for help or calling animal control, Bill Christiansen did what any photographer would do—he snapped some pictures.

Those pictures of the animal making itself at home on the Christiansens’ back patio are on display in the couple’s bedroom.

The majesty of the homes aside, the event was for a great cause. Ms. Pyle estimates the tour sold around 200 tickets this year, but the final numbers aren’t in as of press time.

If past events are any indication, the tour could provide around $12,000 for the Children’s Fund, all in the name of helping the region’s most vulnerable populations.

—Matthew Bramlett

news@claremont-courier.com

APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH

Children’s Fund invites the public to celebrate at a 66ers baseball game

In 2016, everyone joined in the Parade Against Child Abuse.

SAN BERNARDINO, California (Tuesday, March 29, 2017) – Children's Fund, the 66ers baseball club, and many family-strengthening organizations are coming together to honor Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month on Tuesday, April 11, at the 5th Annual Children Are Our Future event at San Manuel Stadium at 6:00 pm. 

The 5th Annual Children Are Our Future event at 66ers vs. Quakes baseball game is guaranteed to be a fun night out for the whole family!  It’s $2 Tuesday at the 66ers game, with tickets, hot dogs, popcorn, tacos and soft drinks costing only $2, all night.  Parking is $5.  The game starts at 7:05 pm but the gates open at 6:00 pm for all the pre-game fun.

Look at what else we have planned:

Resource Fair and Live Entertainment

6:00 pm

Live music and arts & crafts for the kids; important resource information for the whole family. 

Children Are Our Future Parade

6:15 pm

Join us and mascot Bernie as we parade against child abuse around the 66ers baseball field. All ages are invited onto the field.

Art Gallery at the 66ers Game

Children’s art will be on display in our very own Children Are Our Future Art Gallery near third base. View drawings that answers the question, “What do you want to work hard to become when you grow up?”

The committee of Children Are Our Future consists of representatives from 66ers Baseball, Building A Generation, CASA San Bernardino, Child Care Resource Center, Children’s Network, First 5 San Bernardino, San Bernardino 211, San Bernardino Teen Music Workshop, and San Bernardino County Children and Family Service.  The event is funded in part by Children’s Fund, San Manuel Band of Indians, First 5 San Bernardino, and Southern California News Group.

CELEBRATION OF GIVING TOY DRIVE A SUCCESS

Children’s Fund provides toys to vulnerable children for the 28th year

Two of the four Gruner children delivering toys to Children’s Fund during the holidays.  These boys used the profits from selling poinsettias to their neighbors to purchase four full bags of toys for other children.

SAN BERNARDINO, California (Monday, January 23, 2017) – Children’s Fund, a nonprofit serving vulnerable children in San Bernardino County since 1986, has wrapped up the 28th Annual Celebration of Giving campaign and the results are better than ever before.

Over 30,300 gifts were collected, inventoried and distributed this holiday season to foster youth and other vulnerable children throughout San Bernardino County.  Every year the campaign has grown—last year 30,000 children were served.

“We’ve been able to expand this valuable program through our many partners and generous donors,” said Stacy Iverson, President & CEO of Children’s Fund. “Without this vital community support, many children would go without a toy to celebrate the season.”

Iverson explains that a toy during the holidays is more than just a gift to open on Christmas morning.  It represents the belief that every child is worthy of our care and support.   It sends them the message that they are valued and gives them the confidence to continue on with hope for the future. 

Teenagers are often difficult to purchase gifts for, so this year foster children ages 12- to 18-years old received a $25 gift card instead of a toy.  Many organizations and individuals donated cash to enable Children’s Fund to supply the nearly $40,000 needed. 

If you would like to receive information about how you or your organization can get involved in our next Celebration of Giving campaign, please contact us at 909.379.0000.

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 1.4 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.childrensfundonline.org or call 909.379.0000.