A Look Back at Our Top Moments from 2019
As 2019 comes to a close, we looked back at a few of the highlights from the past year at CII. As with previous years, our success was powered by the support of our strong community of volunteers, donors and staff.
Father-Daughter Tea Honors Special Bonds
Project Fatherhood welcomed families to our Otis Booth campus for the 7th annual Father-Daughter Tea where the princess-themed party celebrated the relationship between fathers and daughters. Read more.
Promoting Healthy Alternatives to South LA’s Food Deserts
CII held a Family Health Fair in South LA that promoted healthier life choices for families. The event promoted access to preventative health care while encouraging nutritious meals. Read more.
Healing Childhood Trauma From Gun Violence in Watts
Since launching in the fall of 2018, our REACH TEAM spent this last year building important relationships in the Watts community and offering crucial support services to children exposed to gun violence. Read more.
31st Annual Colleagues Spring Luncheon Highlights Legacy of Giving Back
The Colleagues held their annual Spring Luncheon benefitting CII and honoring actress, author and philanthropist Marlo Thomas. Actor Henry Winkler introduced Thomas, and following the award ceremony, the audience was treated to a private fashion show of Oscar de la Renta’s Fall 2019 line. Read more.
Movie Night & Car Show Promotes STEAM Curriculum
More than 500 families and staff attended the 2nd Annual Movie Night & Car Show at CII’s Watts Campus in early May that prepared kids for success in school while encouraging group activities with families. Read more.
Appreciating Our Amazing Teachers
CII has 32 early childhood sites in LA that are staffed by 213 teachers and home visitors along with in-classroom parent volunteers. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we shared perspectives from teachers, volunteers and parents connected to these programs. Read more.
HBO Documentary FOSTER Features CII’s Family Preservation Program in Action
As part of National Foster Care Month, CII teamed up with Film Independent to co-present a screening of the new HBO documentary FOSTER at the ArcLight Hollywood. The documentary featured CII’s Family Preservation Program in action and the screening was followed by a panel discussion. Read more.
C.H.I.P.S. Annual Spring Luncheon Focused on Philanthropy & South LA
The C.H.I.P.S. held their annual Spring Luncheon benefitting CII where they honored the Watts Gang Task Force and philanthropists Alex Tuttle and Tiffany Tuttle. Â Read more.
Community Connections Promoted Mental Wellness in Watts
Over 1,000 kids and their families joined CII for a family-friendly day of fun promoting the role of prevention, social support and connection in overall wellness. More than 50 providers, programs and services helped make the event a success. Read more.
Dream Big Graduation Caps Major Milestone for Foster Youth
CII celebrated foster youth from our Individualized Transition Skills Program (ITSP) at our 3rd Annual Dream Big Graduation. Speakers included Sean Anders, writer/director, Instant Family and Jessica Chandler, Children’s Social Worker, DCFS.
Read more.
Fatherhood Conference Brings Together Leaders
CII’s Project Fatherhood Program brought together 400 professionals at its annual Fatherhood Solutions Conference focusing on ways to increase fatherhood involvement in families. Read more.
Improving Support Through the Trauma-Informed Care Conference
CII gathered experts in the field of childhood trauma to discuss the latest research and best practices when it comes to providing trauma-informed care. Read more.
Designers Partner with CII to Build Bikes for Kids
CII’s annual Gears4Kids event partnered with 100 volunteers from some 20 architecture and design firms to taught kids how to build and ride a bike. Read more.
2nd Annual Cape & Gown Gala
CII honored Netflix’s Channing Dungey and long-time supporters Bridget Gless Keller and Paul Keller at the 2nd Annual Cape & Gown Gala where $1.2 million was raised for CII’s early education, behavioral health and family strengthening programs. Read more.
Neighborhood Schools Initiative Invests in South LA
CII launched the Neighborhood Schools Initiative, which aims to support an entire school or preschool community with services for students, their families, teachers and administrators. CII will work in three schools in South LA that form a “feeder pattern,” which will support the same kids as they move from preschool through 12th grade. Read more.
Winter Family Festival Creates Lasting Memories
CII hosted the 25th annual Winter Family Festival for more than 2,500 children and family members that featured holiday entertainment, a petting zoo and winter crafts along with toy giveaways. Read more.