Children’s Bureau’s rich history is connected by a singular force that has defined its evolution and success for 110 years. That force is people — extraordinary men and women — bonded by a concern for the plight of vulnerable children. Moreover, they are dedicated to finding innovative solutions to help at-risk families and communities to thrive.
As government and private organizations continue to struggle in finding ways to sustain direct services, we continued to devote significant resources that include direct services but go beyond to child abuse prevention. We see the potential in parents who gain the support, skills and knowledge they need to nurture their own families and then blossom into confident community leaders.
In 2014, our board of directors and board of trustees jointly agreed to invest and accelerate the success of the Magnolia Community Initiative (MCI). This national model for large-scale community change, based in one of Los Angeles’ poorest communities, continues to gain attention and momentum. A highlight of this year was our first national grant from The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Most recently, the foundation joined us for a rich dialogue with other local funders and MCI partners to share our learning and explore how to leverage support to this social movement.
Despite challenging times, you helped us raise $3.49 million in private philanthropy, which represents a nine percent increase from last year. We achieved our stretch goal of $2 million for corporate and foundation support and set a record for the highest level of individual giving for the second consecutive year.
In celebration of our 110th year, we’ve included a timeline that reflects then and now. Our proud moments continue to happen because of people, like you, working together for something greater than ourselves. Thank you for joining us on this journey.
Alex Morales, President & CEO, Children’s Bureau
“I want my children to get a good education and to learn how to overcome obstacles so they can achieve their dreams.”— Teresa
Teresa and Gerardo came to Los Angeles 12 years ago and settled in a neighborhood near the Oakwood Family Resource Center. They have a son, Emmanuel, who is age five and a daughter Gemma, age two. After the birth of Emmanuel, Teresa experienced post-partum depression and was seeking guidance and support. She didn’t know where to go for help until one day she walked by Children’s Bureau and saw a banner posted about services. She walked into the lobby seeking more information.
Teresa started with the NuParent program. She learned how to interact and bond with Emmanuel, what to look for in his development and milestones that he needed to reach. The support from parents and the group facilitator helped Teresa tremendously during this challenging time in her life.
After the NuParent program, Teresa joined the Family Enrichment classes and participated with her son for a full year, sparking an interest in sharing the knowledge she gained with others in the community. Teresa found that opportunity in the Community Enrichment Program as a Parent Facilitator. This volunteer leadership role required Teresa to complete an intensive 12-week training to implement the community group.
Now going into her third year as a Parent Facilitator, Teresa says that she volunteers for the satisfaction of having her own children see her being a teacher to others. Her family is a part of her success as Gerardo gives her the support and help needed to prepare the group activities. Together, the couple now understands the important role they play in their little ones’ lives and the local community.
Teresa’s personal journey reaches beyond Children’s Bureau as she’s learned how to drive and is now enrolled in English classes, as English-speaking parents in her last community group motivated her to learn the language. She is a trusted resource in the community and continues to take advantage of what Children’s Bureau has to offer. Recently, Gemma was able to benefit from developmental screenings through Children’s Bureau which allowed her to be linked with a local Regional Center to receive speech therapy.
“Children’s Bureau has helped me bond with my entire family and we’ve learned how to better communicate with each other. I always refer parents to Children’s Bureau. The staff is very kind and they treat everyone well. I tell people that it’s an excellent organization with lots of benefits,” said Teresa.
Ninety-two percent of the families we serve live at or below the poverty level. When we work towards something greater than ourselves, we can change the trajectory of a generation in need. Your support helped us to:
Respond to 383 foster children in need
Find 100 children a permanent home through adoption
Prepare over 600 young children and their parents for kindergarten and future academic success
Provide 400 kids in Orange County with a safe place to play and study after school
Help 3,000 individuals through family resource centers to obtain job training, child care, tax services, counseling and financial aid
“I’ve been lucky to have spent time with quality people who are working to do the right thing for children in need.”— Keith Renken
When Keith Renken retired 20 years ago, he wanted to continue helping communities to thrive. He served on five for-profit boards and numerous nonprofit boards including Children’s Bureau. What drew Keith to the agency was its compelling mission and also the people. David Anderson, Howard Edgerton and John Kooken were part of Children’s Bureau’s emerging trustee board formed after a capital campaign in the 1980’s. Keith liked that they were all active in helping Children’s Bureau to raise funds and reach new supporters. Over the years, they all became close friends and significant leaders of Children’s Bureau. One of Keith’s fondest moments was the time he played in a foursome with John along with former President Gerald Ford and entertainer Bob Hope at the annual President’s Invitational Golf Tournament. Having two icons at the tournament made it different from the other golf events in town. Keith says Ford and Hope were friendly and made the effort for several years to be at the Children’s Bureau event.
Keith also enjoyed being a part of the Children’s Bureau team and what a team he and Mike Fourticq, Sr. made as co-chairs of the agency’s $22 million capital campaign. Despite economic challenges, the campaign surpassed its goal and opened the agency’s new headquarters in 2008. Keith and Mike were awarded Children’s Bureau’s Humanitarian Award that summer at the agency’s Annual Celebration. Over the past two decades, Keith has also worked tirelessly to introduce Children’s Bureau to numerous foundations and corporations which have resulted in millions of dollars raised for our prevention work.
To Children’s Bureau, Keith is a supporter, friend and ambassador. He is a connector and builder of relationships that mean something and result in making extraordinary things happen. He is an important part of our 110-year history and how we’ve evolved in our fundraising and programming efforts.
“Children’s Bureau provides a quality service to families in Southern California and now its learning is being shared nationally. The agency is run very efficiently and effectively with currently 84 percent of funding going directly to its program work. This is important as thousands of young lives are at a critical point, and, through Children’s Bureau, are given the chance to succeed.”— Doug Hayes
There are many ways to give to Children’s Bureau today and for future children in need. Connie and Doug Hayes have supported numerous events and campaigns for more than 25 years. Doug has also volunteered countless hours in leadership roles, including serving as chair of both the director and trustee boards and golf tournament. In 2007, he was given the agency’s highest praise, the Humanitarian Award. Several years ago, Doug made the decision to make a legacy gift.
“Children’s Bureau provides a quality service to families in Southern California and now its learning is being shared nationally. The agency is run very efficiently and effectively with currently 84 percent of funding going directly to its program work. This is important as thousands of young lives are at a critical point, and, through Children’s Bureau, are given the chance to succeed,” said Doug.
He hopes that Children’s Bureau can continue to help even more parents and children and is encouraged by the Magnolia Community Initiative’s potential to do so. Doug says it’s a privilege to help and give back in whatever way he can. His steadfast belief in our mission and generosity is being recognized by The League for Children auxiliary where he’ll be honored at the group’s annual gala in September 2015.
Corporations and foundations are trusted partners in funding Children’s Bureau’s traditional prevention work. In 2014, our existing partners deepened their investment and new partners joined us in supporting the Magnolia Community Initiative (MCI).
MCI is Children’s Bureau’s answer to the questions:
- How can we prevent many of the social ills that rob vulnerable children of their future?
- How can we do this in an environment where government and philanthropic resources are declining?
The solution is MCI’s efforts to unite the community, public and private organizations together to change how they think and act, and to change how parents behave, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for children on a large scale.
MCI received support from both local and national foundations this year including a three-year $600,000 grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. This award is helping us in three key areas: strengthening and expanding the learning system; enhancing the linkage functions that connect families with services and supports in a seamless and timely manner, and cultivating a resident organizing effort that equips parent and neighborhood champions to implement and spread protective factors in family and neighborhood life.
“MCI plays a vital role in improving the lives of children and families in Los Angeles.
In addition to serving as leaders in the Los Angeles community, MCI is also highly respected among its peer organizations across the country. We have much to learn from MCI and I remain committed to ensuring that others continue to learn from the achievements of MCI as well.”
—Lola Adedokun, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s Program Director for Child Well-Being and Director of the African Health Initiative
The mission of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation is to improve the quality of people’s lives through grants supporting the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research, and the prevention of child abuse, and through preservation of the cultural and environmental legacy of Doris Duke’s properties.
Local support includes the award of a two-year $400,000 grant from the Tikun Olam Foundation.
“Tikun Olam is a Hebrew phrase meaning healing the world. Our foundation invests in the youngest members of society, providing support to the child, family and their community. There is synergy in Tikun Olam’s mission and the goals of MCI. Our nation will be stronger when we share resources to develop more effective neighborhoods. Building a strong community provides a foundation for resilience and productive lives. MCI is creating this community.”
—Mindy and Gene Stein
1904
Moved by the plight of vulnerable children, Mrs. E.K. Foster, a Los Angeles community leader, forms a volunteer group which successfully advocates for legislation to protect children
1920's
Children’s Bureau is a vital partner in starting the Community Chest — now the United Way
1935-1936
19 children were given 2,371 days of care at Blue Gate Cottage, a shelter for homeless and abused children
1930's
The agency plays a key role in establishing the USC School of Social Work
1940's
During World War II, Children’s Bureau expands to meet changing social needs by initiating adoption services and finding homes for refugee children and war orphans
1950's
Children’s Bureau begins to offer day care services as women enter the workforce to respond to emerging social conditions
1960's Unadoptable children become the focus of Children’s Bureau’s pilot program to provide therapeutic foster care treatment and adoption services for children with special needs
1970's
Children’s Bureau implements a program of therapeutic group-home care for abused children who cannot be helped through foster care
1980's Nationally recognized Family Assessment Form evaluation tool developed to help counselors objectively assess family functioning and plan treatment
Children’s Bureau locates services in Orange County to expand prevention efforts
1990's
Children’s Bureau identifies parent education and community support systems as vital strategies in the arsenal to prevent child abuse. 50% of program efforts are designated to focus on parents with newborns to three-year-olds
2001 Mental health therapy and counseling services expanded to help children showing signs of difficulty in school or home life
2002-2008
$22 million raised to build new Magnolia Place Family Center that also serves as agency headquarters
2008 Magnolia Community Initiative is launched as a national model for large-scale community change
2013
Children’s Bureau receives first national grant from The Doris Duke Foundation
2014
Annenberg Foundation recognized Alex Morales as one of 25 visionary leaders
Our 110th year was marked by numerous accomplishments and recognition in the child welfare field. Here are a few of those bright moments:
We deeply appreciate the generous support of those individuals, corporations and foundations that made the welfare of children in need a priority in their philanthropic giving. Combined, they help us to make a real difference in uplifting thousands of children and parents each year.
This Honor Roll reflects gifts made during the 2013/2014 fiscal year. 
For a current list of donors, visit all4kids.org.
Children’s Bureau is committed to providing vulnerable children — especially in the early years — the foundation necessary to become caring and productive adults.
Editor/Copywriter Susan Wirth, Director of Marketing & Communications Creative Director Beth Goldfarb, Cause Farm Creative Photography Danielle Klebanow
The images of children and parents are of actual Children’s Bureau families.
The Greater Share is a social movement to prevent child abuse.
By investing in a share of children’s success, health, parenting
and community, we are investing in the greater good of society.
All of this happens because of people like you.
Learn more and get involved at all4kids.org/get-involved
