MORE CHILDREN WITH CRITICAL NEEDS WILL BENEFIT FROM GRANT

Erin Phillips (l), President & CEO and Lee Jackman (r), Board Chair of Children's Fund accepts donation from Al Arguello, Market President, Inland Empire, Bank of America

Children’s Fund Receives Grant from Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Thanks to a $7,500 grant awarded to  Children’s Fund by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, more children who are in an emergency situation will be able to receive assistance.

Children’s Fund works with social workers and case managers to provide emergency assistance to at-risk and impoverished children, providing items such as food, clothing, beds, transportation, rental and utility assistance, medical and dental care.  For children just being rescued or transported, Children’s Fund provides hygiene kits and lunchboxes with snacks.

“We’re proud to support the critical services provided by Children’s Fund that can literally save the lives of our precious youth,” said Al Argűello, Market President, Inland Empire, Bank of America. “We recognize the important role Children’s Fund plays in serving our most vulnerable community members, helping at-risk youth get the most basic care, shelter, safety, and health and nutrition services to help set a foundation for quality of life.”

Recently, a case worker referred a family of a mom with 10 children to Children’s Fund for help. The mom is raising this family in a 2-bedroom apartment where the children share 4 mattresses, serving as their only beds. Children’s Fund was able to provide 4 bunk beds, bedding, clothing and hygiene items for the 10 children. The case worker sent the thank you notes that the mother and children sent to Children’s Fund.

The mother said, “It’s hard being a single mother and not being able to buy my kids clothes and having no beds for them to sleep on. I just want to let you know how grateful I am, and how happy you made my kids.” One of the children wrote, “I was so happy when I got a new bunk bed and new clothes because my Mom was trying hard to get clothes for school. Your program really helped me and my family out. Thank you for helping us with everything.”

“This is just one case where Children’s Fund was able to step in and help a family in great need,” says Erin Phillips, President & CEO of Children’s Fund.  “That’s why we’re proud to partner with Bank of America, providing much needed services while helping the family prepare for a more financially stable future.  This year alone Children’s Fund has helped more than 53,000 children in our communities.”

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.

The A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation Receives National Recognition

Andrew Watt of AFP with Erik Anderson and Erin & Gary Lastinger of A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation

Erin Lastinger speaking at AFP National Conference in Washington, D.C.

A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation Receives National Recognition from AFP

                                                       

                                                      

Erin Lastinger, Erik Anderson and Gary Lastinger are awarded 2014 Outstanding Foundation by AFP in Washington, D.C.

(Arlington, VA) October 7, 2014:  The A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation, located in Irvine, California, and one of the region’s philanthropic leaders, has been named the 2014 Outstanding Foundation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

The foundation will receive its honor at the National Philanthropy Day® Honors: A Celebration of People and Impact awards event on November 15 in Washington, D.C. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

Passionate about philanthropy, A. Gary Anderson established the beginning of the foundation before his untimely passing at the age of 52. Now his children, Erin Lastinger and Erik Anderson, along with Erin’s husband Gary, have continued his legacy, investing almost $46 million to over 200 organizations since 1994.

Just some of the organizations the foundation has supported include Chapman University, the University of California Riverside Foundation, the Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and Children’s Fund.  The foundation has worked with many charities to re-evaluate their methods, leading to improved program delivery, partnership, and outreach for fundraising.

The foundation has also focused significant funds on serving youth. Through a longtime partnership with Children’s Fund, the foundation has provided instrumental support to the Children’s Assessment Center, where abused and neglected children in San Bernardino County receive medical assessment of their injuries, tell their story just once to all appropriate investigative personnel, and receive therapy and referrals to ongoing resources—all in a child-friendly environment.

“The A. Gary Anderson Foundation was established by my father with the express desire to help at-risk youth,” says Erin Lastinger. “It is our mission and passion to carry on my father’s legacy to support these children.  Our family will continue to do everything in our power to protect and serve our kids in this community.”

The National Philanthropy Day® Honors recognize outstanding leadership, commitment and generosity in philanthropy. The A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation is one of six finalists who will be honored on National Philanthropy Day®, November 15, the day to celebrate philanthropy and its impact on the world. More information can be found at www.npdlove.com .

40,000 BOOKS COMING TO SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

First Book to Distribute Books on Friday & Saturday, October 17 & 18, 2014

A sample of books to be distributed.

A total of 40,000 books will be distributed from First Book on Friday and Saturday, October 17 & 18, 2014 at the Inland Empire United Way Warehouse located at 9644 Hermosa Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga.

Friday, October 17, 2014 First Book will hold a Media Day beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Media will be able to take video/photos of the 40,000 books and their distribution as teachers, child care providers and other child-serving professionals select their quantity of books designated.

Ted Alejandre, deputy superintendent, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and Dr. Tomás Morales, president of California State University, San Bernardino will be in attendance to experience the County receiving these much needed books.

"County Schools is pleased to participate with First Book in this very important event for the children of San Bernardino County,” states Alejandre. “Research shows that early literacy is essential to a student’s academic success. Providing children with books early on helps to develop a love of reading they will carry through their academic and adult life, contributing to life-long learning and future success."

San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department, Children’s Fund, First 5 San Bernardino, Inland Empire United Way, Child Care Resource Center, County of San Bernardino Library, National CORE and San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools have joined together as an Advisory Board to form “San Bernardino County First Book (SBCFB)”.  First Book provides access to new books for children in need, transforming the lives of children and elevating the quality of education by making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis

Learning to read is critical to a child’s success – both in school and in life.  Literacy is one of the best predictor’s of a child’s success. For children who are growing up in poverty; books are scarce. Only 42% of third graders in San Bernardino County are proficient in reading. 

Through grass roots efforts and networking, the Advisory Board worked to get several schools and organizations registered (more than 675 registrants) to be eligible to receive books through First Book.  The books will be given to 20,000 children (each child will receive two books) to take home.

First Book President, Kyle Zimmer, founded First Book with two friends in 1992 to create an organization dedicated to providing new books to children in need.  In that first year, First Book distributed 12,000 books in three communities – and now deliver more than 35,000 new books on average per day.

8-Year-Old Raises $2,500 for Children's Fund

Raven Cases of Highland raises $2,500 to help underprivileged kids

 

Raven Casas is 8 years old and lives in Highland, California.  She attends Valley Preparatory School in Redlands.  She is not like most 8-year-olds! In May of this year she decided that she wanted to help kids who can't afford things, even things as simple as school supplies.  Her grandparents helped her surf the internet, and Raven chose Children's Fund to donate to because they help underprivileged children.  Since May she has raised $2,500 through the help of fellow students, family, and friends.

Raven's parents, Latisha and Patrick Casas are very proud of their daughter and were not too surprised by their daughter's desire to help as they try to emphasize the importance of giving. They suggested that she organize a fund drive.  A little bit nervous, this second grader made a presentation to the middle school students at her school.

"The big kids responded in an encouraging way, going to their headmaster to get permission to put a collection container in the school office," Raven said.   Not stopping there, Raven reached out to family members, friends and her karate class teammates, determined to collect enough money to make a difference.

Children's Fund is delighted that she chose their organization.  "Kids helping kids, how great is that? We are so pleased that an 8-year-old would be caring enough of others, and to actually follow through and make it happen is amazing," states Karen Blanco of Children’s Fund.