31st Annual Colleagues Spring Luncheon Highlights Legacy of Giving Back

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Last week, actress, author and philanthropist Marlo Thomas was honored with the Champion of Children Award at the 31st Annual Colleagues Spring Luncheon, benefiting Children’s Institute (CII), to celebrate her impact on the lives of kids.

As she delivered her acceptance speech, Thomas reflected on what her first commercial hit, That Girl, a TV show from the 1960s about a single woman navigating a career in New York, has meant to a generation of women. In front of the luncheon’s audience of more than 600 guests, Thomas discussed the themes of empowerment and independence.

“The work of The Colleagues is a great example of what woman can accomplish together,” she said to an audience who applauded in agreement.

Founded in 1950, The Colleagues is a women’s volunteer nonprofit that supports and raises funds to benefit CII. Embodying what Thomas highlighted during her speech, the group has been a crucial voice in driving a conversation about the importance of giving back.

CII at the Beverly Wilshire

More than 600 guests attended the Spring Luncheon where a focus was place on helping South LA.

In their nearly 70 years, The Colleagues have raised more than $25 million for CII programs while leaning on their collective influences among actors, politicians and philanthropists to expand CII’s reach. This year’s luncheon proved to be another example of the group showing their unwavering support.

Hosted by author and TV host Cristina Ferrare for the second year in a row, the award was presented to Thomas by Hollywood icon and friend Henry Winkler. After the award ceremony, the audience was treated to a private fashion show of Oscar de la Renta’s Fall 2019 line by co-creative directors Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim.

This is our signature event and it is where we can generate the most revenue for CII. The Colleagues are a group of great women who are doing the most that they can for children.

Cara Esposito, President of The Colleagues and CII Board of Trustee

The Colleagues President and CII Trustee Cara Esposito and the other members of the support group made sure the event had substance and focused on children. Multiple times during the afternoon, speeches and videos highlighted the lives of children and families whose trajectories are very different from those living in Beverly Hills, Brentwood or Bel Air. Esposito shared that a child growing up just 20 miles south of these neighborhoods could have a much lower life expectancy, 20 years less than children born in more affluent area of Los Angeles.

Esposito said the luncheon has been an opportunity for The Colleagues to work together on an impressive event that highlights the important work of CII. She said the event’s decades-long run is a testament to the group’s passion for giving back and knowing how to bring together an influential crowd.

CII President and CEO Martine Singer with The Colleagues President and Board of Trustee Cara Esposito

CII President & CEO Martine Singer (right) poses with The Colleagues President Cara Esposito. 

“This is our signature event and it is where we can generate the most revenue for CII,” Esposito said. “The Colleagues are a group of great women who are doing the most that they can for children.”

In receiving the Champion of Children Award, Thomas joins an impressive list of celebrities and politicians with a history of philanthropy. Previous recipients include actresses Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren and Carol Burnett along with former First Ladies Nancy Reagan, Betty Ford and Laura Bush.

It’s an extraordinarily generous and wonderful tradition. They have been continuous supporters for decades and we’re so grateful and humbled by their continued advocacy and commitment to our mission at Children’s Institute.

Martine Singer, President & CEO of CII

Anne Johnson, the Executive Chairman of the Spring Luncheon, said her goal each year for the event is to have as large of a turnout as possible since that means greater funds raised for CII. She said a testament to the event’s success is that it has become a tradition of giving for many of the supporters. 

“I care deeply about children and any child that is ever abused,” Johnson said. “CII is doing absolutely the most important work.”

The Spring Luncheon raises funds for important services at CII.

The Spring Luncheon concluded with a sneak peek of Oscar de la Renta’s fall 2019 line. 

In addition to funds raised at the Spring Luncheon, the group is currently working on a separate campaign to raise funds for CII’s new Watts Campus designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry that will be breaking ground next year (2020). The Colleagues also operate a high-end resale clothing boutique, The Room, in Santa Monica where all proceeds benefit CII.

Martine Singer, President & CEO of CII, said support from The Colleagues has been important to the organization, and the group continues to play a key role in fundraising initiatives – especially with funds raised through the Spring Luncheon.

“It’s an extraordinarily generous and wonderful tradition,” she said. “They have been continuous supporters for decades and we’re so grateful and humbled by their continued advocacy and commitment to our mission at Children’s Institute.”

Volunteer Appreciation Week: Thank you for all you do

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It’s National Volunteer Appreciation Week and we are reflecting on all of the important ways volunteers have made a major impact at CII. In 2018, we were fortunate to have more than 7,000 volunteers contribute 41,000 hours of service valued at $976,000 to support children and families facing adversity in Los Angeles. From our corporate volunteer groups who helped beautify our Head Start centers to the individuals who show up every week to support teachers in our classrooms, we could not work at the level we do without your help.


India

High School Student & Volunteer Ballet Instructor

India is a student at Marlborough School who has supported our PowerUp! after school program for over a year by leading ballet classes. Even with a busy student schedule full of responsibilities and commitments, she has remained a dedicated volunteer who is enthusiastic about sharing her expertise in ballet. In addition to sharing new skills, she has made close connections with the kids in her ballet groups. They are very grateful to have her as a volunteer and role model.

“India has been an outstanding volunteer in the PowerUp! after-school program. She has been supportive, not just to our staff, but to the kids as well. In her ballet class, India has really worked hard to empower these kids and teach them a skill they may never otherwise have been exposed to. Her passion for teaching and helping others makes her a great role model for the kids who look up to her.” – Jessica Gomez, Care Coordinator at CII


Angélica Zagal

ECS Parent & Soccer Volunteer

Angelica is the parent of two girls in the Soccer Academy at our Watts Campus. She started volunteering three years ago after seeing a need for additional program support, and has stayed on as a loyal part of the team ever since. She is quick to get on the field and lend a hand wherever needed, and always engages with youth to ensure they are safe and having fun.

“I started volunteering for the Soccer Academy because I like the sport, as well as giving back to my community. I help wherever I can, and love to see the kids happy. ” – Angélica Zagal


Paul R. Kanin

Chair for the CII Board of Trustees & Event Volunteer

As the Chair of CII’s Board of Trustees, Paul leads the organization’s effort to increase outreach, impact and philanthropy across multiple industries and areas. In addition to leading the board and lending his time and expertise to further CII’s mission, Paul also finds time for hands on volunteering at CII events including the Winter Family Festival. Paul is proud of CII’s work and the current make-up and impact of the Board of Trustees. When he is not volunteering or advocating for children and families, Paul is practicing trusts and estate law as a partner at Kanin Soffer, LLP.

“I enjoy my time because it is a completely different approach to how I spend the other parts of my day. At CII, we’re talking about lives and humanity. Such a diverse group of people from so many different backgrounds contribute.” – Paul R. Kanin


Carolina Alvarez-Correa

Development Intern & Capital Group Volunteer

Carolina handled volunteer management for the Winter Family Festival. The event had the most families and volunteer in attendance compared with any previous CII event. In addition to her help with the Winter Family Festival, Carolina interned on the CII Development team through a program with Capital Group, her full-time employer. A frequent supporter of CII’s work, Capital Group is an example of a leading community partner because of all the ways they engage with our work and clients. From service on our Board of Trustees, to supporting fundraising events, to providing volunteers and interns to support our programs, to helping improve facilities in the communities we serve – they truly participate at every level of our organization. This type of community service rewards not only the children and families in our programs, but also the individual employees from Capital Group who have the opportunity to form relationships with our team, our clients and our community. Thank you to Carolina and Capital Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility team.

“It was evident that the parents were so grateful to CII for providing their kids with perhaps the only holiday gifts and fun they’d be receiving that season during the Winter Family Festival. The most clear evidence that the families had fun was that they stayed until the very end of the festival. We even started cleaning up and they still wanted to stick around!” – Carlina Alvarez-Correa


Lilia Velasco

AmeriCorp Member and General Volunteer

Lilia is an AmeriCorp member who assisted CII for the PowerUp! Olympics Closing Ceremony. She has also supported trainings on emergency readiness where she provided education for families to prepare in case of a natural disaster. Outside of her volunteer efforts, Lilia was recently accepted into a sign language interpreter program.

“Lilia was very flexible and willing to help in all areas of the PowerUp! Olympics to make it successful. She cut flowers, helped with table decorations and stayed later to clean up everything.” – Soleil Delgadillo, Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager at CII


Patty Capps

Les Amies Chairman for CII Support Groups & General Volunteer

Patty has been a long serving member of CII’s Les Amies, which is a Support Group that has furthered CII’s mission for more than 50 years. As a volunteer, Patty has helped plan important events like the CII Fall Harvest Baskets in November and the Winter Family Festival in December.

“As a member of Les Amies and a CII volunteer, I have especially enjoyed working together with Les Amies and CII staff in planning programs for children and families. It has been a very rewarding experience for me.” – Patty Capps


Evan Spells

Former Client & ITSP Volunteer

Evan is a former client of Individualized Transition Skills Program that supports transition-aged foster youth. When he completed the program, Evan wanted to stay involved to support young adults going through similar experiences. Since 2017, he has been a volunteer, and then intern, in our Fostering Social Skills client groups as a co-facilitator. He also co-facilitated our first ever peer-led group and plans on co-facilitating the next peer-led group this summer.

“Evan has been a vital part of the expansion of Fostering Social Skills groups. I personally would not have been able to begin and succeed in such groups, in particular in creating a peer-led group.” – Julio Cruz, ITSP Supervisor


Jordan Mullins

Student & General Volunteer

Jordan is student volunteer in our Day Treatment Intensive program where she supports our staff and works directly with clients. She has exceeded expectations for her role by extending past the original six-month commitment she made to CII. Jordan is someone CII has been able to trust and rely upon, especially, during the harder and more challenging times in which the Day Treatment Intensive team must work together to provide the best support and safety for kids.

“Jordan is a sweet, dependable, genuine, and proactive person who continually demonstrates her desire to learn and enhance her understanding of early childhood mental health. She effectively supports these young children and their families in reaching their fullest potential.” – Nicole Fauscette, Senior Clinical Supervisor, Day Time Intensive

To learn more about becoming a volunteer with CII, please click here.

Healing Childhood Trauma From Gun Violence in Watts

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At just two square miles, Watts is one of Los Angeles’ smallest neighborhoods – showing up as a blip on the sprawling 500 square mile footprint of the city. Yet with a median annual income of $25,000 and five large housing developments, Watts is a small community dealing with large issues when it comes to violence and trauma.

Watts has dealt with decades of high crime rates and frequent gun violence. Multiple generations have grown up in a neighborhood where the rattling bang of a gunshot has been a regular occurrence and the risk of a family member or friend being targeted or hit by a stray bullet is a real threat. During the span of one week in late March 2019, a total of 26 shootings with 10 fatalities took place across Los Angeles, with multiple incidents in Watts.

Minimizing the impact of gun violence is what a new initiative at Children’s Institute is working toward. Known as The REACH TEAM, CII is partnering with the LA City Attorney’s Office and LAPD to respond to gun violence by expanding access to crucial intervention and counseling services for children in Watts.

“Gun violence is so present in these neighborhoods,” said Eztli Herrera, Care Coordinator on The REACH TEAM. “We don’t want to minimize how traumatic this is and act like it’s normal.”

Residents in Watts have endured decades of gun violence that has caused generational trauma and toxic stress.

Prior to joining CII, Herrera worked in schools around South LA. She said she saw a lot of nervousness and anxiety tied to gun violence whenever the topic came up around students.

At one point, she remembers a group of students swapping details about a time they had a gun pulled on them after school. Other times they talked about having few options for walking home safely where there would be a lower potential of encountering somebody with a gun.

Deputy City Attorney Lara Drino said that in environments where gun violence is prevalent, children are likelier to intersect with violent crimes as adults. After hearing about these outcomes at the Watts Gang Task Force meetings in and around Watts, Drino said she saw an opportunity to increase mental health resources as a way to help children in Watts heal from trauma.

Without counseling services, exposure to gun violence can have damaging results that last throughout adulthood. Viewed as a toxic stress, children can develop symptoms like post-traumatic stress disorder that impact brain development and physical health. Academic achievement, professional success and family stability are all negatively impacted as well.

Watch the Spectrum News story on The REACH TEAM

It is essential that children who have already experienced gun violence have access to counseling and support services. These services can help them heal from past trauma and give them the tools and resources to navigate future dangers. Drino said she also sees The REACH TEAM connecting kids with other community-based initiatives like after-school programs that keep children away from gang activity.

“If we can intervene in these kids’ lives early and get them on a different trajectory with positive mental health, hopefully we can keep them out of the criminal justice system as either a victim or a suspect,” Drino said.

The REACH TEAM wouldn’t be complete without LAPD who provides background on neighborhood dynamics around housing developments while also sharing immediate updates whenever there are reports of shots being fired in Watts. This work is overseen by Lieutenant Gena Brooks of LAPD, who is also on CII’s Board of Trustees.

CII’s Clinical Program Manager Ginger Lavender-Wilkerson with The REACH TEAM members Deputy City Attorney Lara Drino and LAPD Lieutenant Gena Brooks.

“Normally when we respond, we’re looking for the victim to take care of, for the suspect, to take them in to custody, and we’re walking by all these little casualties of war who have seen it, and what we realize now is that hurt people hurt others,” Lt. Brooks said.

While Herrera handles the day-to-day work of implementing the strategies of the program, Clinical Program Manager Ginger Lavender-Wilkerson, LMFT, oversees the team along with Maria Reyes, who provides counseling and therapy and helps with outreach.

Based out of CII’s Watts Campus, The REACH TEAM goes out into the community and responds when shots are fired. Whenever LAPD informs The REACH TEAM of a shooting, the group moves into the area to find kids who may have seen or heard the gun shots. They talk to community leaders and neighbors to understand who exactly has been affected.

When they learn about a child who has witnessed gun violence, they reach out to the family with a care package that includes a teddy bear and other items designed to help a child relax. The team then works with the family to set up short-term counseling. As children access services, assessments are made around longer-term therapy and support groups. In some cases, it may take more than a month for the signs of trauma to appear so the team checks back in with families who may have initially declined services.

If we can intervene in these kids’ lives early and get them on a different trajectory with positive mental health, hopefully we can keep them out of the criminal justice system as either a victim or a suspect.

–  Lara Drino, Deputy City Attorney

Reyes said children have shared with her that it feels good to know they now have a place to go if they need support.

“The REACH TEAM has helped kids understand it’s okay to talk about how they’re feeling or what they’re going through,” Reyes said. “This work is going to dictate the health of the next generation in Watts.”

When designing The REACH TEAM, Lavender-Wilkerson said it was crucial for them to go out and meet residents to better understand their needs. She said mental health resources can carry a stigma in Watts where people most likely won’t utilize these services unless the team was knocking at their door and following up with them. She said this is a unique and proactive approach that is time-intensive, but will likely determine the initiative’s eventual success.

CII's initiative to prevent trauma from gun violenceThe REACH TEAM at CII includes Maria Reyes, Yvette Martinez, Eztli Herrera, and Ginger Lavender-Wilkerson.

“While counseling is focused on children, she said the team’s outreach is geared toward helping the whole family. In most cases, she said parents and other family members have also grown up around gun violence and deal with these dangers on a daily basis. They too have experienced trauma and need outlets to heal.

“Parents are affected by this as well,” she said. “Many don’t recognize their own trauma, because they’ve accepted gun violence as a regular thing.”

The REACH TEAM is focused on partnership at all levels of the community and refers adults to free mental health counselors or support groups like Mothers of Murdered Children. Lavender-Wilkerson said it is essential that the whole family heals from gun violence, not just the children.

The REACH TEAM has helped kids understand it’s okay to talk about how they’re feeling or what they’re going through. This work is going to dictate the health of the next generation in Watts.

– Maria Reyes, Therapist

When The REACH TEAM isn’t working directly with families affected by a recent shooting, they are out in the community educating groups on the importance of counseling and ways to stay safe in their neighborhood.

Herrera estimates the team attended upwards of 30 meetings in the last few months with different community groups at housing developments, schools and churches. She is frequently picking up the phone or meeting in-person with community leaders.

She said it is important for The REACH TEAM to be an active part of the Watts community. She wants residents to know she and her team members are a resource, whether it is a question about the best route home from school or the benefits of accessing counseling after a traumatic event.

Herrera said it is important to let people know they aren’t alone. They have a whole network of people here to help them.

While the program has only been in place since September 2018, Drino said she is already seeing results that point to this being an essential program to helping Watts heal from decades of gun violence. If this program is successful, Drino said she can see it expanding to other parts of South LA that face similar challenges.

Last month, The REACH TEAM held the first workshop in what will be a series of courses designed to give kids important tools for avoiding gun-related traumas. A group of 20-plus kids listened intently as the team went over the long-term effects of trauma and how counseling can help. The kids were appreciative and optimistic about the guidance they were receiving.

For Herrera, this was another reminder that The REACH TEAM is approaching gun violence in a unique way. Classes like these, in addition to the other work being implemented, highlight the evolution of community support and trauma that differed from when she first started in the neighborhood. The last few months have been a positive first step in what will hopefully be a successful campaign to heal Watts after decades of struggling against gun violence.

“We want to continue a dialogue and start the healing process,” Herrera said. “We’re reaching out and we’re really trying to make a difference.”

CII is working to help children affected by gun violence

Netflix Executive and LAPD Lieutenant Among New Trustees

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Children’s Institute announced five influential leaders have joined the organization’s growing Board of Trustees.

Channing Dungey, Vice President, Original Series at Netflix; Lieutenant Gena Brooks, Los Angeles Police Department; William R. Burford, Partner at Venable LLP; James G. Freeman, Principal at Beacon Rose Partners; and Glenn A. Sonnenberg, President at Latitude Management Real Estate Investors, join the esteemed board of over 30 trustees chaired by Paul R. Kanin, partner at Kanin Soffer LLP.

“We are thrilled to welcome this new group of trustees to our board, and we are confident their breadth of expertise will allow us to make an even bigger impact for children and families across Los Angeles,” said Martine Singer, President & CEO, Children’s Institute.

With extensive experience in the entertainment industry, Channing Dungey most recently served as President of ABC Entertainment, and is joining Netflix this month as Vice President of Original Series. She’s held previous positions at 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. Dungey is a UCLA graduate from the School of Theater, Film and Television, where she serves on the school’s executive board, and is a founding and current member of Step Up, a nonprofit dedicated to helping girls living in under-resourced communities fulfill their educational potential.

“I’m passionate about improving the lives of children, especially those living in difficult circumstances,” said Dungey. “My goal in joining the board is to raise the profile of Children’s Institute within the entertainment community, and shine a light on the vital work they are doing.”

Lt. Gena Brooks brings over 30 years of experience with the LAPD and is currently the Officer in Charge of the Community Safety Partnership Team (CSP) responsible for relationship-based policing in the five housing developments in Watts. The CSP team works side-by-side with residents and community members to develop and implement sustainable programs, eradicate crime, address quality of life issues, all while simultaneously bridging the gap between the community and the LAPD.

Lt. Brooks plays a key role in the Children Exposed to Gun Violence Initiative launched in 2018 between the LA City Attorney’s Office, Children’s Institute and the LAPD. Her community relations experience and expertise working with children and families in South Los Angeles will be invaluable as a Trustee.

William R. Burford specializes in tax and wealth planning at Venable LLP. Prior to this work at Venable, he served in the nonprofit sector as a project director at The Nature Conservancy. Burford’s knowledge of tax expertise combined with his experience in the nonprofit sector will offer a unique perspective to CII’s Board of Trustees.

James G. Freeman serves as a Principal for Cardinal Industrial. In this capacity, Freeman is a member of Cardinal’s Investment Committee and is responsible for Acquisitions and Business Development, which includes deal sourcing, capital sourcing, establishing and maintaining relationships with operating partners, and ensuring successful investment execution.

Glenn A. Sonnenberg is President of Latitude Management Real Estate Investors, a real estate investment management company. Sonnenberg has a broad range of nonprofit experience over his career. He is an active board member and past Chair of Bet Tzedek Legal Services, board member and past President of Stephen Wise Temple, and on the Boards of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, the AJC, Wise Readers to Leaders, the USC Law School Board of Counselors, and the USC Libraries Board of Counselors.

Learn more about CII’s Board of Trustees here.

Hang in There

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This article originally appeared in the March/April 2019 issue of Fostering Families Today and is reposted with permission.

At age 14, I had been working at a restaurant for a few months when I decided I was going to commit suicide by going into the restroom during my shift and taking an entire bottle of pills. When I finished swallowing all the pills, I continued bussing tables until I felt an urge to tell my manager what I had done. He called 911, and I was hospitalized for over a week. I was sure I had lost my job, which I enjoyed, but to my surprise, when I called the restaurant, he told me to get better so I could come back to work.

That job became a stable part of my life, which was often chaotic, with family conflicts, me struggling with my identity, and eventually my parents moving across the country and me living with my grandmother. I worked there until I went to college. I think the stability of that job, and the bond I formed with my coworkers and the manager gave me a sense of belonging, and helped me survive those drama-filled years. I am still in touch with the restaurant owner, who became like a mentor, and am grateful for the second chance and support I was given.

That and other experiences, led me to want to be a therapist so I could help others, similar to how I had been helped. My first internship was in a group home, where I saw many teenagers age out of the system with no permanent home or stability. While I started out thinking I could help through therapy, I quickly learned that these kids were extremely resilient, but due to different circumstances, were unable to find permanency through adoption or reunification.

When I was 26, a juvenile justice ­involved youth I was mentoring through a program called Girls and Gangs was struggling with homelessness, and ended up moving in with me. At age 27 I went through the process to become a foster parent through Los Angeles County, and have had anywhere from two to four youth living with me at any given time since then. I also continue to work as a clinical supervisor for a nonprofit that focuses on the mental health needs of kids who have experienced trauma.

As a foster parent, sometimes it can feel that we are battling every system to help these youth get a fair shot. Not only are we working with the youth’s behaviors and trauma history, but also school concerns, legal issues, court dates, visitations and general bureaucracy. At times it can seem overwhelming. I think the hardest time for me was when I gave a seven-day notice (when a foster parent asks a social worker to move a child from their home and move them to another home) on a child because I felt like I could not manage her behavior and keep her safe. I felt like I had failed her, since I always wanted to be there unconditionally.

While at the time I felt like giving a seven-day notice was the best route, that child’s behaviors became more dangerous after leaving, and she went to three more placements after my home, with her finally landing in a short-term residential treatment program, where she continues to work on transitioning to a lower level of care like a foster home.

Children with challenging behaviors and backgrounds can be difficult to parent, but if somehow you can ride the wave of whatever is causing the most drama at the time, things do get better. Kids naturally start improving when they feel a sense of stability and security, and they will test limits for several different reasons. They might prefer to feel in control, and like they got themselves removed from a placement, rather than being moved without knowing when or why. They also might have experienced so much trauma that they are still in fight or fight mode, which might have been adaptive at one time, but now is causing them to react aggressively to perceived threats that are not current dangers. They might be adjusting to a new area, culture and rules while struggling with learning what is expected of them. It is important to figure out the underlying need behind their behaviors, and to be as nonjudgmental and consistent as possible.

While the classes to become a foster parent did help prepare me, I think what helped me more were the experiences I had interfacing with the mental health system in my childhood. My experience in the child mental health system included seven hospitalizations, having psychiatrists continuously changing my medication, resulting in me having been on 10 different medications at different points, the many switches of therapists, and the times I felt understood and safe, compared to the times I felt frustrated and crazy. What I came to learn is that someone does not need a degree to help a child succeed, but someone who is able to help that youth feel accepted and like they are worth something, like the manager of the restaurant I worked at, can help youth far more than any professional. All of these experiences, the good and the bad, prepared me for the challenges that come with being a foster parent.

The first youth who moved in with me almost four years ago went through many struggles. We wrote many behavior contracts with expectations, but she is still living here, working, and in college, and she is proud of herself for “beating the statistics.” The youngest child who ever moved in with me was 9 and also struggled with hospitalizations, similar to mine, but with a lot of support and effort, she is still in my home. She is now 12, more stable, and I am in the process of adopting her.

Every youth who has ever entered my home has had at least four previous placements, but some as many as 10. It’s no wonder that it is difficult to trust, difficult to adjust, and that challenging behaviors surface. A quote that stays with me, by Father Greg Boyle is, “Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgment at how they carry it.” This applies to more than just poverty, but also to trauma. If there is a way to stay there with a youth, and somehow manage to preserve their placement, that will help them more than any tutoring or therapy service.

As a young, single, lesbian, working, foster parent with my own history of mental health issues, I am not a typical foster parent. However, different youth in the system do better with different types of families, and there is no one-size-fits-all foster home. As foster parents we must try to figure out what works for the kids in our home, and for us, and to try and find peace that will help the child stay as long as they need to. If a situation with a child becomes challenged and a child must leave your home, it’s important to try to keep the relationship open. Their past relationships are everything, so whether it be prior placements, or biological family, try your best to keep that contact open, which will help them adjust and improve their self-esteem in the long run.

Never underestimate your impact on a child’s life, or the work that you are doing to improve outcomes, as a foster parent. Whether you find out your impact soon, in the long run, or you never do, just know how much any amount of stability and unconditional care can change the trajectory of a child. Even when it gets tough, seek support, hang in there, and hopefully the situation will improve over time.

Vicky Garafola, LCSW, is an LA County resource parent. Garafola graduated from UCLA with a degree in psychology and sociology. She earned a Masters in Social Work from USC, and currently works as a clinical supervisor at Children’s Institute. She lives in Compton with her family and is looking forward to finalizing her first adoption and also continuing to be there with her kids on their journeys.

Promoting Healthy Alternatives to LA’s Food Deserts

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In early February, Children’s Institute held a Family Health Fair in South Los Angeles with the goal of promoting simple ways to live a healthier life to the children and families CII serves. The event sought to expand access to preventative health care while making activities like visiting the dentist or eating plant-based meals more palatable.

Held at CII’s Figueroa Center and sponsored by the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation, the fair brought together 21 community organizations that spanned different health and wellness fields. Community partners like UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic, Benevolence Health Center Inc., and Dignity Health, offered free screenings for dental, vision and blood pressure. Zumba and yoga courses were held throughout the day and wellness tools like electric tooth brushes and fitness trackers were raffled off.

As the day progressed, the importance of regular medical and dental checkups was discussed, but many attendees, volunteers and community organizers kept coming back to one area that was crucial to preventative health and wellness – a balanced diet.

CII works to reduce food deserts in South LAVegan tamales were served by Claudia Lopez and her restaurant Mama’s International Tamales.

Justine Lawrence, Vice President of Head Start at CII, said South LA offers few options when it comes to healthy eating. She said fast food restaurants are often the only option in these neighborhoods and the impact takes a toll on families living in food deserts.

“If you drive around this community, you are going to be hard pressed to find a grocery store that has fresh food,” she said. “We have a lot of children coming into our program struggling with obesity.”

Large swaths of South LA are considered food deserts. The term, created in the 1990s, describes urban areas that lack grocery stores where residents can buy fresh foods like fruits and vegetables. The United States Department of Agriculture has released multiple studies showing that there are large parts of South LA where fast food or processed food are the only available options.

Ongoing studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention point to a clear connection between negative long-term health effects in areas where fresh food is limited. As a result, higher rates of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure have been reported in these areas.

If you drive around this community, you are going to be hard pressed to find a grocery store that has fresh food.

– Justin Lawrence, Vice President of Head Start at CII

Angel Gaines, Site Supervisor for Compton Early Head Start, said she personally struggled with high blood pressure. She grew up in South LA food deserts and didn’t start eating healthy until after join CII and learning about maintaining a balanced diet.

Gaines said an important part of working with children and families is encouraging a healthy lifestyle that includes fresh food. As Gaines promoted physical activity by leading Zumba and yoga courses at the Family Health Fair, she said families are often unaware of the potential negative consequences when they eat only processed foods.

“When we have high blood pressure or diabetes, it is usually caused by what we are eating,” she said.

Olga, who has been attending CII programs since her daughter Sophia was 3 months old, said she appreciated how CII promotes cost-effective ways to make healthy meals while living in food deserts. She said she was able to cook food that is healthy without abandoning family recipes tied to her own Hispanic heritage.

“It opens up a door for people who may not want just raw vegetables,” she said. “Tamales are part of our culture, but they can be vegetarian or vegan.”

Claudia Lopez took this philosophy and turned it into a business. Her restaurant, Mama’s International Tamales, was at the Family Health Fair serving vegan tamales with vegetarian sides.

CII shares alternatives to food deserts in South LAStaff from CII’s Early Childhood Education display healthy alternatives to chips and candy as after school snacks. 

“I felt our community needed more health-based food options,” she said. “It is easy to substitute healthier ingredients like jack fruit or stop cooking with lard.”

Lopez views her restaurant, located in MacArthur Park, as an opportunity to educate people on how cultural foods like tamales can stay delicious while also being healthy. She said people often try her tamales and say they are shocked it was vegan.

Edgar, a parent visiting the Family Health Fair with his three children, said he would have never guessed the food from Mama’s International Tamales were vegan. He said he was drawn to the tamales aroma at the food booth after only being at the fair for a few minutes.

As a parent, Aguila has noticed a positive shift toward healthier eating. He said it is easy as a parent in South LA to get into a routine of eating too much fast food. He was thankful to see cost effective balanced eating promoted by CII and other community organizations.

“We raised our kids on McDonald’s for years, but now we’re more into cooking at home with kale, arugula and cauliflower,” he said. “Eating well is a big factor in growing up healthy and not getting sick.”

As many pointed out at the event, long-term success for South LA is continuing to expand the number of healthy food options while keeping costs low.

The average household income for neighborhoods in this area range between $33,000-$45,000 according to data published by the LA Times. Spending $10-$15 for a quick and healthy meal, which is often the cost in Santa Monica or West Hollywood, is not within the budgets of most residents in South LA.

Lakisha May, a field marketer for fast food startup Everytable, was offering up an example on how businesses can better serve residents of South LA food deserts and stay profitable. May said Everytable has a sliding scale for menu items. In South LA, Everytable items cost less than at their restaurants in other parts of the city where average incomes are higher.

For South LA to eat healthier, having affordable options will be crucial.

“It is different for people with less resources,” May said.

Thank you to event support from: Herbalife Nutrition Foundation; Mama’s International Tamales; CII Intensive Programs; LA Public Library; CII PowerUp!; CII Project Fatherhood; Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC; CII PABC; CII PFF, P&A; UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic; Eyeglass Store of OC; CII ERSEA; Benevolence Health Centers, Inc.; CII ECS; Dignity Health; Susan G. Komen; California WIC; Fun Dental 4 Kids; AltaMed.

Building Skills One Robot at a Time

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Students from Chaminade College Prep brought robotics back to CII’s PowerUp! after-school program last week in what will be a monthly program at the Otis Booth Campus. The series aims to expand involvement of fourth through seventh graders in STEAM subjects by partnering with eager high school robotic students ready to share their knowledge.

The PowerUp! program at CII works with children facing adversity in Los Angeles by providing curriculum and activities that will enable them to succeed in school, at home and in the community. When the students from Chaminade’s robotics team, called Eagle Engineering, visited PowerUp! in the fall to present about robotics competitions, the group saw potential for a longer-term partnership. This would include PowerUp! kids learning to build and code their own robots.

Through two fundraisers, Eagle Engineering raised enough money to start a robotics program at PowerUp!. They purchased kits for two different robots that came with software to program commands for the machines. With the purchases, the group committed to leading monthly classes for the remainder of the school year.

Chaminade and Childrens InstituteA student from Chaminade College Prep goes over direction with a CII client as they work to assemble the robotic kit.

At their first meeting, many of the kids had little to no experience writing program code for robot commands, but by the end of the class, the kids were celebrating as their newly built robots mastered new activities like wheeling around the room or picking up a water bottle with a mechanical arm.

Christina Gideon, Senior at Chaminade College Prep and Vice President of Business Operations with Eagle Engineering, said he appreciated the opportunity to share his experience in robotics with a younger generation.

“I like working with the kids and seeing where they need to learn more,” Gideon said. “It is definitely awesome to see how much they already know,” he said.

Two kids benefiting from Gideon’s guidance were fourth grader Hector and seventh grader Katheryn. After figuring out how to program movements on the robotic arm, Hector and Katheryn paused for a moment to figure out how to write code for the remote control.

There will be millions more jobs created in this field and we currently don’t have enough people for them.

-Tommy Smeltzer, Robotic Program Director at Chaminade College Prep

“It is kind of hard and frustrating,” Hector said.

Katheryn looked to Eagle Engineering Business Manager Yiwen Zhao who was standing nearby. He pointed to a section of the code that might be tripping the kids up. Hector and Kathryn swapped ideas and eventually typed in some code that worked.

Other students from Eagle Engineering helped guide the kids through physically assembling the robotic parts. At two tables, the kids spent time screwing together pieces and testing wheels.

Kaylee, a sixth grader, took a break from assembling the robots with fifth grader Matthew. Kaylee said she was having fun while building new skills she would use later in school. She said her code being used to make the robot move around the room was her favorite part.

“I enjoyed the whole thing because I learned new stuff about computer science,” she said.

Chaminade Prep CII RoboticsVice President of Eagle Engineering Christina Gideon looks over CII clients as they write code for the robots.

Robotics Program Director Tommy Smeltzer said students are motivated to partner with kids at CII. They believe they are making an investment in bringing more diversity to STEAM fields. He said any of these kids could pursue a career in a STEAM field.

“We can’t continue to fill important roles in STEAM if we are not pulling from a balanced swath of our population,” he said. “There will be millions more jobs created in this field and we currently don’t have enough people for them.”

In the last decade, there has been a growing emphasis on STEAM courses and careers. According to Pew Research Center, STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics, has seen a 79% increase in job growth since 1990. The career field is expected to grow steadily over the next decade. That same Pew study also found that on average, STEAM careers make 26% more than similarly educated non-STEAM careers.

Nawal Salim, Experiential Learning Manager at CII who oversees PowerUp! programming, said a robotics partnership was a natural fit. As an after-school program that works with kids facing adversity and toxic stress in Los Angeles, the program helps to grow self-esteem while supporting kids as they cope with trauma.

We’re trying to keep kids motivated academically and find value in learning.

-Nawal Salim, Experiential Learning Manager at CII

In addition to robotics, the program has given kids access to lessons in yoga, electronic music production and ballet. While fun for the kids, each has a strong educational component.

“We’re trying to keep kids motivated academically and find value in learning,” she said. “They may not see the importance of math as a subject, but can understand its purpose while building a robot.”

While pleased with what will be accomplished with the robotics program, Salim said she is looking forward to future additions to PowerUp! that will bring other new experiences to the kids in the program.

Father-Daughter Tea is Steeped in Fun

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Project Fatherhood welcomed 35 families to CII’s Otis Booth campus on a rainy Saturday in February for the 7th annual Father-Daughter Tea. The princess-themed party included tea cup painting, manicures, frame decorating and tiaras.

The event celebrates the unique relationship between fathers and daughters, and is one of a dozen special programs that CII’s Project Fatherhood organizes each year.

The Junior League of Los Angeles has been a long-time sponsor of the Father-Daughter Tea. This year, the group sent 30 volunteers and donated the tea sets and picture frames.

Noemi Vasquez, Care Coordinator at Project Fatherhood and lead organizer of the event, said the Father-Daughter Tea is one of the most popular events each year.

“From the moment the girls get that tiara you see them feel special,” Vasquez said. “It’s amazing to watch the reactions of daughters being celebrated while also looking up to their fathers.”

Victor lost his dad at a young age while growing up in a gang-affiliated part of Los Angeles, and never thought he could have a close, supportive relationship with his own children. He said going to the event with his two daughters is like a dream come true.

“My 5-year-old daughter was so excited that she asked me to go out with her to buy a dress,” Victor said. “Just knowing that she will always remember special times like this makes me feel happy and blessed to be a dad.”

Jessie was also at the event with his five daughters. Taking a break from doing crafts, he said he appreciated Project Fatherhood and what the program has brought to his life. He said it was clear why this event, and Project Fatherhood as a whole, was so important to his own relationship with his kids.

“Project Fatherhood taught me to never give up on my children and to never let them down no matter how rough life gets,” he said. “I just love being a dad.”

Just knowing that she will always remember special times like this makes me feel happy and blessed to be a dad.

-Victor, Father enrolled in CII’s Project Fatherhood

Tracy Klein, Chair of the Done in a Day Committee for the Junior League of Los Angeles, said the group has been a long-time partner of CII and loves supporting the event.

“It is always one of the most anticipated Done in a Day events for our member volunteers, bringing us as much joy in participating as we hoped it brought the fathers and daughters who take part,” Klein said.

For Keith Parker, Director of Project Fatherhood, the event is an opportunity to advance the program’s goal of improving the connection between fathers and their daughters. Parker, who joined CII in November to oversee Project Fatherhood, strongly believes in the event.

“Father-Daughter Tea is an opportunity for fathers to spend time with their daughters and work on ways to communicate with each other better,” he said.

Children's Institute Father Daughter TeaVolunteers from the Junior League of Los Angeles carry around trays of desserts to fathers and daughters as they enjoy the event.

While the Father-Daughter Tea is full of fun activities, the core purpose of the event is to educate and encourage dads to be involved in the lives of their children. This philosophy is central to the mission of the Project Fatherhood program at CII.

Started in 1996 by Dr. Hershel K. Swinger, Project Fatherhood ensures fathers who grow up facing adversity are given the tools, support and education to succeed when caring for their own children. Dr. Swinger believed fathers sometimes face barriers and challenges that can prevent them from fulfilling their parental duties. He wanted to create a space where fathers could openly share their love.

In the program, fathers gain access to a group support system, therapeutic activities, and discussions around healthier decision making in relationships.

At the time of the program’s creation, roughly 50 percent of children growing up in poverty lived with only their mother. Often, children who grow up in homes without fathers repeat the cycle with their own family.

A father poses with his daughter as they take a break from festivities at CII’s Father-Daughter Tea.

Edward Berumen, Senior Clinical Supervisor at Project Fatherhood, said Dr. Swinger saw the effects on children when a father is no longer present. With the right support, Dr. Swinger believed in Project Fatherhood’s ability to break the generational cycle of absent fathers. They could help them be present in their own child’s success.

“Fathers play an essential role in families and contribute to a child’s success in school and greater self-esteem,” said Edward Berumen, Program Supervisor, Project Fatherhood. “The focus of Project Fatherhood is to provide a space where fathers can openly share and affirm the love they have for their children.”

Over its 20-plus years, the program has worked with 15,000 fathers and 23,000 children across Los Angeles County.

Berumen said they also hold upwards of 12 events each year that give fathers time to bond with their kids. While the Father-Daughter Tea is all about the leading ladies in their lives, Project Fatherhood hosts softball games, group hikes and movie nights that aren’t gender specific.

“Each event is designed with activities that dads can replicate when they spend time with their kids at home,” Berumen said.

Children’s Institute’s Top Moments of 2018

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This month, we took a moment to pause and look back at a few highlights from Children’s Institute this past year. In 2018, we adopted an ambitious strategic plan that will double the number of children and families we serve over the next 10 years. As part of this strategic plan, we spent last year expanding services focused on supporting children and families facing adversity across Los Angeles. This included launching a new initiative in Watts supporting children and families exposed to gun violence. We also looked for ways to bring new experiences to kids in our programs like attending a theatre performance, camping or building their first bike.

Like previous years, our successes in 2018 were powered by the strong support of our greater LA community. Events were supported, attended and hosted by amazing volunteers and in-kind items were donated by local CII friends and businesses. The donors who fund crucial CII services continued to support our organization with a record number of gifts. We ended the year on a high note by raising almost $1 million at our inaugural Cape & Gown Gala on November 14 when we honored child advocates Beth & Bob Lowe along with Frank, Berta and Sam Gehry.

We’ve already started working to make an even bigger impact in 2019, and we’ll keep you updated along the way.

Supplied for Success

We celebrated our four year-old Head Start graduates with a back-to-school event ensuring a successful transition to kindergarten. The children received backpacks filled with school supplies provided by Age of Learning.

“It has always been our goal to achieve school readiness for our children and their families. The backpack donation ensures our children starting kindergarten have all the essentials,” says Justine Lawrence, Vice President of Head Start, CII.

The Healing Power of the Arts

Youth from our Individualized Transitional Skills Program  and Santee Education Complex were treated to a performance of Daniel Beaty’s “emergency” at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The one-man show featured poetry, music and humor as Beaty played an array of characters coping with the effects of trauma. Read more about the event.

Supporting Children Exposed to Gun Violence

We launched a new initiative in partnership with the LA City Attorney’s Office and LAPD to support children in Watts who have been exposed to gun violence. The REACH TEAM ensures children and families in Watts receive appropriate and timely crisis intervention and support services through Children’s Institute and partner organizations. Read more about the partnership.

Gears for Kids

Our annual Gears for Kids event went off without a hitch thanks to our partners at Haworth.  Partners from 24 major design firms built bikes with kids from our Power-Up after-school program. Each kid got to take their bike home at the end of the day. In-N-Out Burger sent a food truck keeping our kids and volunteers energized.

Happy Campers

We held our 8th annual Camp Booth retreat at Booth Ranches in Fresno where kids got to spend time in nature and build camaraderie. Youth got to see a movie under the stars, interact with horses and make s’mores. Camp Booth was hosted by former board member and longtime supporter Loren Booth.

UCLA Career Day Opens Horizons for Youth

Our Power Up after-school program youth joined us for our first College & Career Day. The event was hosted by the UCLA Latino Alumni Association. Kids created resumes and figured out the skills they will need to make their dream jobs a reality. UCLA students and alumni also spoke to the kids about their unique college and career paths.

Cape & Gown Gala Raises $1.3 million for Services

Children’s Institute welcomed 400 guests to the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica to honor Beth & Bob Lowe and Frank, Berta and Sam Gehry at the first ever Cape & Gown Gala. The event raised close to $1 million for Children’s Institute’s programs. Read more about this successful event.

Early Head Start Expands to Compton

CII opened its first Early Head Start Program in Compton. Serving 140 infants and toddlers, the program provides crucial services to set kids up for future success. To celebrate the grand opening, CII invited kids, families and community members to an event with food and music.

A New Home in Long Beach

The day after we celebrated the new Compton Early Head Start, CII headed further south to celebrate the grand opening of our Long Beach center. The award-winning 20,000 square foot hub was designed by DSH // architecture.

Winter Family Festival Spreads Holiday Cheer

In December, we hosted our annual Winter Family Festival. The event opened our Otis Booth Campus to more than 2,500 children and families. The day included special holiday moments for kids including storytelling, arts and crafts and cupcake decorating. There was also an obstacle course and lots of giveaways for children and families who take part in CII’s programs.

Working as a Team

More than 30 CII staff members finished up the year by completing in the rigorous LASpartan Race. With several stunning displays of teamwork, the group pushed the limits as they climbed over barriers and swung through rope courses to finish as a team. Those who compete in Spartan races demonstrate a camaraderie towards other participants, embrace the challenge of the unknown and set out to prove they can accomplish difficult things. Mission accomplished.

Want to learn more about CII?

Read our 2018 Annual Report and Impact Report.

Make a difference in the lives of children and families exposed to adversity and poverty by making an end-of-year donation this holiday season.

 

For One Employee, the Holidays are a Full-Time Job

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Having served as the President & CEO’s Executive Assistant for seven years, leading holiday decorating at Children’s Institute was not originally in Josh Pleiness’ job description. When a contractor fell through for decorating the Otis Booth Campus five years ago, Josh jumped at the opportunity.

It doesn’t take much time talking to Josh to realize he loves the holidays. He puts up three different trees at home and has so many decorations personally, he needs a separate storage unit. This December, he wrapped up another year decorating the Otis Booth Campus as well as the Long Beach, Watts, Burton Green and Mid-Wilshire campuses.

“There’s always something going on in my head,” he said. “I do thoroughly enjoy holiday decorating, but everything I do stresses me out sometimes.”

Josh described both of his parents as creative and being the original inspiration for his enthusiasm for the holidays. He fondly remembers his family bonding over putting ornaments on trees and stringing garland.

Growing up with one parent in the military, he got to experience how different regions celebrated. He spent time in Florida, Germany, Michigan and Alaska. When he got his degree in interior design and interior decoration from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, he saw an opportunity to apply those skills to holiday decorating.

“It is all about families being together and spending time together.”

At CII, Josh sees an extra level of importance in his work. The decorations are a chance for the children and families served at CII to feel togetherness during the holidays. For many, past Decembers may have been a difficult or even traumatic time. Josh’s work helps provide a backdrop for happier memories and experiences.

“It is all about families being together and spending time together,” he said.

Josh remembers one year when a boy around the age of six had just come out of a therapy room. He was in a program that works with school-aged children, and clearly upset about something. He had just been crying. Josh invited him over to help him put the ornaments on the tree. Josh said he joined him in decorating for quite some time and the boy was eventually laughing at the end of it.

Experiences like these motivate Josh to go above and beyond simply pulling decorations out of storage and putting them up. Last year, he built a giant dreidel from scratch. A previous year he noticed the paint chipping off the ornaments so he carefully hand painted them to stay within budget and ensure everything looked perfect.

Knowing that the end of the year can be a stressful month for many staff, Josh sees the decoration as an opportunity to bring happiness to staff who may be feeling stretched. He said staff will often approach him and say how much they appreciate the decorations. It is something many look forward to during this time of year.

While Josh’s dream would be to one day design and decorate the holiday celebration at the White House, he is happy knowing how many people appreciate his work at CII. Josh jokingly said the only downside to all of his work is that it eventually must come down.

“If it were up to me, I’d leave it up all year,” he said.