CHILDREN’S FUND RECEIVES $17,500 FROM U.S. BANK

 

    Foster Youth to Benefit through Scholarship Educational Programs

 

 U.S. Bank has approved and presented $17,500 for Children’s Fund Foster Youth Educational Programs which will empower foster and former foster youth through higher education.

Venus, a participant in Children’s Fund programs, 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.  Last spring Children’s Fund awarded four scholarships to foster youth at the Shine-A-Light Breakfast, and Venus was one of the recipients.  Her story shows the determination and resiliency that we celebrate.

At the age of 13, Venus was introduced to drugs by her mother.  With both parents being drug addicts, Venus ended up on the streets and became pregnant.  By the age of 14, Venus, still a child herself, had two children.  In February 2012, protective services were called, and Venus’ children were placed into foster care.  Knowing that her life would not get better if she did not make some substantial changes, Venus also entered foster care and her life began to turn around.

She graduated from high school with a 3.25 GPA. She currently is attending San Bernardino Valley College, studying to become a registered nurse.  She has both of her children back with her and has been drug free for 18 months.  Venus recently sent an email to Erin Phillips, president & CEO of Children’s Fund.

“I just wanted to give you an update and thank you for the scholarship.  I am attending San Bernardino Valley College.  The money helped to pay for books, class and school supplies.  Again, thank you,” Venus’ email read.

Richard Madsen presents check to Erin Phillips and Vicente Wright

Venus receives Scholarship

“Less than 5% of foster or former foster youth graduate from college with four year degrees. It is because of generous financial supporters, like U.S. Bank, that we are able to make a real difference in the lives of these young adults,” says Phillips.  Children’s Fund provides scholarship funds at Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State San Bernardino as well as the county’s four junior colleges for foster and former foster youth.

 

BONNES MERES AUXILIARY GIVES CHILDREN'S FUND AN EARLY CHRISTMAS

Photo by Debbie Karalun - Bonnes Meres Auxiliary members Terrie DeMuth, and Sally Robertson along with President Valerie Peister present Children’s Fund President and CEO Erin Phillips a check for $90,000 at Tuesday's breakfast meeting.

 

Published: Thursday, December 12, 2013 4:17 PM in the Highland Community News

Giving was in the air at the Bonnes Meres Auxiliaries general meeting held at the Burrage Mansion in Redlands on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Bonnes Meres President Valerie Peister introduced welcomed members and guests to this month’s meeting and recognized Sally Robertson and Terrie DeMuth the chairpersons of November 14ths “Simple Joys of Christmas” fundraising auction and luncheon.

Robertson and DeMuth then recognized each of their committee members with a few words and a gift. The fall auction and luncheon along with Bonnes Meres spring birthday luncheon are the primary fundraising events for the auxiliary.

The biggest gift of all was presented to Children’s Fund President and CEO Erin Phillips. Phillips received a check in the amount of $90,000 in the name of Children’s Fund.

“This is amazing. What a beautiful public display to the children in our community and is an incredible donation to the kids in our region, and is really going to make a difference,” said Phillips

Bonnes Meres auxiliary serves Children’s Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting at-risk children in San Bernardino County. Bonnes Meres and Children's Fund work to ensure that at-risk children who are abused, neglected, impoverished, or abandoned receive adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care and education.

“I am happy we can give this money in confidence and that this will go to the children,” shared Peister.

The money raised from the auxiliary’s fund-an-item at the luncheon was approximately $6,000 and is designated to help support the ongoing needs at the assessment center. Their goal is to provide each child they see with a blanket, clothing, food and a stuffed animal during their visit at the assessment center

Bonnes Meres next fundraiser will be their Annual Birthday Luncheon on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at the Redlands Country Club.

For more information about Bonnes Meres visit their website at www.bonnesmeres.org.

CHILDREN'S FUND AWARDED $50,000 FROM CARDENAS MARKETS

Children’s Fund is the recipient of a 2-year $50,000 scholarship grant for foster and former foster youth provided by Cardenas Market at their recent event held at the Auto Club Speedway in October.  Children’s Fund was among other educational institutions and school districts, part of $483,000 that was bestowed to multiple organizations by Cardenas Markets.

“Cardenas Markets is committed to our local communities,” states Marco Robles, Vice-President of Public Affairs for Cardenas Markets.  “Our efforts will help create and strengthen conditions for local families to propel vulnerable children to success.”

 The grant will help fund scholarships for foster high school students who are doing well academically to enable them to further their education.  Aiden, as a high school senior from Apple Valley, benefitted from this scholarship.  Entering the foster care system at the age of 4, he lived in multiple states and overcame difficult circumstances.  He could have chosen a different path, but he is strong and resilient and demonstrates why Children’s Fund believes that investments like these will help youth like Aiden reach their goals.

 “Together, Cardenas Markets and Children’s Fund can provide much needed financial support for students like Aiden so that they can reach their educational goals and change their future,” states Erin Phillips, President & CEO of Children’s Fund.  “This $50,000 investment for scholarship and academic support will make a very real impact in the lives of many youth, youth who may someday be our Mayors, business leaders, etc.” 

 Potential barriers for foster youth and former foster youth go far beyond books and academic fees; students must also balance housing, food, and other expenses with relatively little external support in order to successfully graduate.

“Less than 5% of foster or former foster youth graduate from college with four year degrees,” says Phillips.  “It is because of generous financial partners, like Cardenas Markets, that we can help provide scholarships to local foster and former foster youth who would otherwise not have the means to achieve their goals – whether that is obtaining technical training or pursuing higher academic degrees.”

 

THE REC CENTER AND NISSAN OF SAN BERNARDINO PARTNER FOR HOLIDAYS

 

            Children’s Fund’s Celebration of Giving Campaign to Benefit

The holiday spirit is in full force in Grand Terrace and San Bernardino.  The REC Center has partnered with Nissan of San Bernardino to “Stuff a Nissan” with gifts, games and toys each Tuesday at the Market Night & Holiday Boutique from November 5 through December 17 which will benefit Children’s Fund’s Celebration of Giving Campaign .  Located in the Walgreens Shopping Center, 22456 Barton Road in Grand Terrace, the Farmer’s Market has 25+ vendors featuring locally grown and hand-made items, and now a Nissan on site to stuff.

Farmer’s Market spokesperson, Jennifer Araiza, approached Nissan of San Bernardino with the idea.  “This is a great way to get residents of our local communities involved in making a difference for the kids who are less fortunate.  We want every child to receive a gift during the holidays but knew we could not achieve our goals without partnering with other local businesses and organizations,” states Araiza.

“Nissan of San Bernardino was looking for a way to give back to those in our community,” says Ricky Lugo of Nissan, “and we feel this is a great way to do it.”  The “Stuff a Nissan” campaign will continue at the dealership throughout the holiday season. “We will have the car available to stuff at the dealership during the days it is not at the Farmer’s Market.”  Nissan of San Bernardino is located at 735 W. Showcase Drive South, San Bernardino, CA 92408.

Children’s Fund’s Celebration of Giving Campaign is in its 25^th year of collecting holiday gifts for underprivileged children in our local communities. In a region where one in four youth live in poverty, it is a way to help bring joy to a child during the holiday season.

“It is so inspiring to see different organizations join together so that the holidays can be brighter for these kids that might otherwise not receive a gift at all ,” says Erin Phillips, president & CEO of Children’s Fund. “Together we can accomplish so much more than we could ever hope to do individually.  We are so thankful for each and every donation.”

For more information on the Grand Terrace Market Night & Holiday Boutique, contact Jennifer Araiza at 909.728.1081. The REC Center is a creative arts studio and recreation center providing opportunities to communities that cannot sustain their own parks & recreation department. The REC Center was formed in 2011 and now serves Grand Terrace, Highgrove and coming soon to Bloomington.

REDLANDS AYSO SOCCER TEAM KICKS OFF HOLIDAY SEASON FOR CHILDREN’S FUND

 

            Kids Helping Kids is Theme for Gift/Toy Drive

Join the Redlands AYSO – Region 50 Soccer teams on Saturday, November 16, 2013 as they kick-off the holiday season with their “Kids Helping Kids” toy drive that will benefit Children’s Fund in their 25^th Annual Celebration of Giving Campaign.   A new, unwrapped gift can be donated from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Redlands Sports Complex located at 1790 Dearborn, at the corner of Dearborn & San Bernardino Ave.

Children’s Fund has been collecting holiday gifts for underprivileged children for 25 years.  In a region where one in four youth live in poverty, it is a way to help bring joy to a child during the holiday season.

“Teaming up with Redlands AYSO is a way to educate our youth that giving back is very rewarding,” says Erin Phillips, president & CEO of Children’s Fund. “The parents will take their child shopping for a gift that they would like to receive, and then the child donates that gift to the collection box.  What a great message!”

This is the second year that Redlands AYSO has participated in the Celebration of Giving Campaign.  “Redlands AYSO is excited to partner with Children's Fund again this year, and we welcome everyone to participate in the Kids Helping Kids Toy Drive - not just soccer players and their parents but the entire community as well,” states Trish Aurelio, asst. regional commissioner.

Family Friendly 89.7 KSGN will be at the Redlands Sports Complex during this Kids Helping Kids Toy Drive, encouraging the public to bring a gift donation.  “Making a difference is what KSGN stands for,” states Bryan O’Neal, program director of KSGN.  “Together, we can put smiles on faces of underprivileged children this holiday season.”  KSGN will have their spinning wheel for prize opportunities.  Teams bringing toys may have the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance which will be played on air at a later date.

Claremont/West End Auxiliary donates $10,000 to Children's Fund

Deanna  Bush & Lou Ehresmen present Jane Nottingham
of Children's Fund with $10,000 check

At the annual Claremont/West End Auxiliary dinner held at the home of JoAnn Mineer in La Verne, Children’s Fund received a check for an additional $10,000 bringing the annual total raised by the Auxiliary to more than $61,000 for the year.

 

“This is such a dedicated auxiliary who go above and beyond to raise money for the underprivileged children in our local communities,” states Erin Phillips, president and CEO of Children’s Fund.  “We are so thankful for the continuous fundraising efforts of the Claremont/West End Auxiliary.”

Claremont/West End Auxiliary was originally founded in 1958 and supported the Children’s Home Society. Today, Claremont-West End Auxiliary raises funds for Children’s Fund and promotes community awareness with activities like their home tour and membership teas.

 

“With 60+ members, our Auxiliary is continually volunteering and speaking on behalf of Children’s Fund,” says Vicki Radtke, co-president.  “Every dollar we raise will help support the at-risk children in our communities. We know that the need is great, so we work together to raise money so that Children’s Fund can help these children who are our future.”

 

CHILDREN'S FUND RECEIVES $100,000 DONATION FROM LOCAL BUILDER

Dr. Clare Sheridan-Matney, Jimmy Previti, Christina Previti, Erin Phillips and Dr. Amy Young

 

Children's Fund announced today that it has received a $100,000 donation from longtime homebuilder Jimmy Previti, president and CEO of Frontier Communities in Rancho Cucamonga.

 

This donation will be used to support the much needed expansion of the Children's Assessment Center (CAC) in San Bernardino which provides care and comfort to more than 1,200 of San Bernardino County's most abused and neglected children annually.

 

Established in 1994, the Center is the only facility in San Bernardino County to treat and reduce the trauma of child abuse victims.  Children at the Center receive treatment from specially-trained forensic pediatricians, and are able to tell their story just once to all appropriate personnel in a child-friendly setting, as well as receive therapy and referrals for services.   Erin Phillips, president & CEO of Children's Fund, explains that it is only through the generosity of business and community leaders like Previti that Children's Fund is able to serve tens of thousands of children every year.

 

"I would like to thank Jimmy Previti on behalf of the grateful children whose lives will be changed for the better as a result of his generous donation for the expansion of the Children's Assessment Center," Phillips said.  "Previti's donation will ensure that we can complete the needed expansion."

 

Previti, president & CEO of Frontier Homes Communities states,  "I was born and raised in the Inland Empire of Southern California, and my businesses are all locally owned and operated.  The Inland Empire has provided me with wonderful opportunities, and I am committed to giving back to the region by assisting worthwhile organizations like Children's Fund that strenghten our communities."

 

The CAC is a true collaborative invloving staff and support from numerous partners like Loma Linda University Medical Center, and San Bernardino County agencies including Children & Family Services, the District Attorney's office, Department of Behavioral Health, Department of Public Health, the Sheriff's Department and the City of San Bernardino Police Department.  Children's Fund serves as the fundraising partner for the Children's Assessment Center and the critical work done there.

 

Created in 1986, Children's Fund is a non-profit whose mission is to prevent child abuse in our community; to ensure that at-risk children who are abused, neglected, impoverished or abandoned receive adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care and education; and to provide equal opportunity for social development for these children.  Since its inception, Children's Fund has helped more than 1.3 million children.  For more information or to make a donation for brighter tomorrows, go to www.childrensfundonline.org   Follow us on facebook at http://on.fb.me/W4Wymf