Children's Fund Changing Futures Newsletter

Changing Futures

SPRING 2021

A quarterly publication of Children’s Fund

Maria Rosales, the sole provider for her family, came upon hard times after a car accident.

She struggled for a period of time, but then Children’s Fund stepped in to help.

A Bright Future It is not uncommon for hard times to strike when we are feeling most secure. Such is the story of the Rosales family from Apple Valley, California.

A single mother of one, Maria worked hard to reach a stage of stability for her and her young daughter. She worked and went to school, earned her certification to work as a nurse’s assistant, had just purchased her own car, and placed her toddler in educational childcare.

Unfortunately, it was at this time when tragedy struck. Maria was in a car accident that left her injured, totaled her vehicle, and

consequentially cost her her job. This sudden turn of events left Maria without a regular income source, and bills continued to pile up.

That is when Maria turned to one of the 80 Children’s Fund partner agencies, St. Mary’s Community Health/Family Resource Center.

They, in turn, reached out to Children’s Fund’s Emergency Needs Program to help Maria and her daughter in their time of need. (continues on page 2)

Message From Our President & CEO

Partner Spotlight

Celebration of Giving

PAGE 2

PAGE 3

PAGE 4

Message From the President In this issue of Changing Futures, we highlight our donors, volunteers, staff, and partner agencies’ collaborative work as we celebrate the most successful toy giveaway in our 35-year history. Because of you, over 56,000 children received a gift this holiday season.

With this success comes an opportunity—an opportunity to make a difference in even more lives. At Children’s Fund, we embrace children, not just for one encounter to fill one particular need but also throughout their childhood journey.

With the increase in the number of children served during the Celebration of Giving toy drive, we are now in touch with that many more children, increasing our commitment to provide them with Support, Opportunity, and Hope throughout their childhood.

You are the reason we can collaborate with others who share our vision of creating a bright future for every child. Thank you for joining us on this journey.

In gratitude,

Ciriaco “Cid” Pinedo, Ed.D.

A Bright Future — Continued from page 1 Children’s Fund provided clothing for her daughter and rental and utility assistance to help Maria get back on track. Maria can now take some time to breathe, focus on healing, and passing her nursing exam. She is excited to work as a nursing assistant soon, buy a new car, and once again provide for her family.

It is impossible to know when hardships will come, but during these times, Children’s Fund is happy to provide a helping hand to assist children and families in need.

Children’s Fund was able to provide clothing for her daughter, as well as rental and utility assistance to help Maria get back on track.

Maria is now able to take some time to breathe, focus on healing, and passing her nursing exam.

*Maria’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.

THREE WAYS

YOU

CAN HELP 2

SUPPORT

You can give by purchasing twin-sized comforter and sheets sets (Bed-in-a-Bag), pillows, and blankets for children who are receiving new beds from Children’s Fund. Give a child a good night’s sleep by visiting childrensfund.org/bedding to view our wish list.

OPPORTUNITY

You can give to foster youth by donating to our Computer Camp, where 100 foster youth graduating from high school will receive new laptops, printers, Microsoft Office software, plus live online computer training. These items are essential for college and job-training. Visit childrensfund.org/computer-camp to make a donation.

HOPE

You can provide to children in San Bernardino County by becoming a monthly donor to Children’s Fund and supporting our vision of a bright future for every child. No amount is too small. Visit the donate button on the childrensfund.org home page.

Alana Moore

Tasha Brown

Partner Spotlight ALANA MOORE AND TASHA BROWN San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office To help us support children in need within our communities, Children’s Fund depends on social workers and case managers who work in our partner agencies and county departments. They are the critical first step in identifying the most urgent cases, and that allows us to reach the children who really need support, opportunity, and hope. We interviewed two dedicated child advocates from the county Public Defender’s Office.

You both work as social workers at the San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office. What is your title there?

Alana: Social Service Practitioner, Assigned to Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation (C.A.S.E.) Tasha: Social Service Practitioner III, Assigned to LET (Let’s End Truancy) program.

Can you describe the segment of children you work with?

Alana: I work with sexually exploited and at-risk youth.

Tasha: I work with at-risk students throughout the county.

How long have you been a social worker and how long have you been in this position?

Alana: I initially began my career as a social worker in 2017, working in the Clark County School District in Vegas. I accepted a position with the San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office working with the adult population two years ago, and now, I have worked as the C.A.S.E. Social Service Practitioner in the Juvenile division since October 2019. Before I started my career in Social Work, I owned and operated my own in-home Childcare.

Tasha: I have worked as a social worker with San Bernardino County for over six years. I began my career in 2015 with Children and Family Services. I worked for the department for three years until I accepted my current position assigned to an attendance improvement program designed to end school truancy.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Alana: My favorite part is that I have the ability to establish long-lasting and trusting relationships, while also being able to effectively connect with this very vulnerable population.

Tasha: One of the joys I find in my position has been connecting families with community resources and hearing from the families about the positive impact the LET program made in their lives.

What do you like to do in your time off?

Alana: I enjoy spending time with my husband and 2-year-old daughter traveling and enjoying the outdoors. Since the pandemic, I have established a newfound love for baking and binge watching medical and firefighter shows.

Tasha: In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, watching Sci-Fi movies, and Investigation Discovery channel. My hobbies include outside activities such as hiking, distance walking, and bike riding.

Can you tell us one thing that the children you serve need (that we might not think of)?

Alana: They need at least one caring adult in their life to encourage and help them believe that they have the ability to overcome their trauma.

Tasha: The youth I work with are in need of mentors and peer advocates. Although the resources are available, many of our children and families are often unaware of how to access these resources until other outside community partners become involved.

How does Children’s Fund help you and the children you serve?

Alana: Children’s Fund is amazing! They have played a pertinent role in ensuring my youths’ basic needs are met. They are fast, efficient, and innovative in ways to assist this vulnerable population.

It is because of Children’s Fund that some of my youth are able to change their lifestyles and ways of living. I would personally like to thank Children’s Fund for all that they have and continue to do for our children.

Tasha: Children’s Fund has helped by providing seamless service.

They are phenomenal with providing resources and services to families. Children’s Fund has worked collaboratively with me to meet the needs of children and as a result, the children and their families’ stress and pressures have been replaced with smiles and happiness. Thank you, Children’s Fund, for all you do.

3

SAVE THE DATE AP RIL 2 0 2 1

2nd Annual West End Auxiliary Virtual 5K/10K Walk/Run/Hike

NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

SAN BERNARDINO, CA PERMIT NO. 3373

348 W. Hospitality Lane, Suite 110 San Bernardino, CA 92408

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

www.childrensfund.org

Register now at www.westendauxiliary.org and walk in April AP RIL 2 1 , 2 0 2 1

Bonnes Meres Annual (Drive-Thru) Birthday Party RSVP at www.bonnesmeres.org AU G U S T 2 3 , 2 0 2 1

Children’s Fund Golf Classic & Founders’ Award Banquet Red Hill Country Club

C E L E B R AT I O N O F G I V I N G A Success in a Challenging Year Children’s Fund collected 56,192 gifts for children this holiday season as part of the 32nd Annual Celebration of Giving campaign.

Our friends and partners donated toys and gift cards for children ages 0-18 years old during the month of December, exceeding our goal of 50,000 gifts.

“Because so many families are affected by COVID-19 this year, we knew the need would be high. We were determined to meet, or even exceed, our goal,” says Gary Ovitt, Chair of the Board of Directors at Children’s Fund.

Over 50 families also participated in the Adopt-A-Family program, where donors were given the names, ages, and wish lists of children who needed extra attention this year. The Adopt-A-Family program served 200 children and donations were valued at over $20,000.

The Celebration of Giving campaign depends heavily on toy donations and major donors, including First 5 San Bernardino, Spark of Love, San Bernardino County Fire, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Ticket to Dream Foundation, Forever 21 Distribution, Southern California News Group, and many others.

Toys, gifts, and gift cards are still being collected for needs throughout the year. If you would like to donate, please call 909.379.0000 or visit www.childrensfund.org.

The Lanesha Family received gifts for their four children through Children’s Fund’s Adopt-A-Family program. Like many families in San Bernardino County, they needed a little extra assistance during the holidays. In hard times, even little things can make for big smiles.