Profile: Friends of The Children - King County
Vulnerable children and youth in King County will benefit from two grants totalling $30,000 which have been awarded to Friends of the Children (Friends-KC) by the CFOS Foundation. The grants will support ongoing operation of a unique mentoring program which seeks to increase positive adult influence in the lives of children through long-term relationships. Kim McKoy, past Executive Director of the program, stated "We are absolutely ecstatic to have been chosen as one of the first agencies to receive support from the CFOS Foundation. This grant will be leveraged with funds from other sources to help ensure that the very vulnerable children and youth we serve continue to receive essential support and services in our program."
Friends-KC has created a compelling way to address the challenges of children who grow up under the most difficult circumstances. The group identifies vulnerable children in kindergarten and pairs them with a consistent, long-term, professional mentor— called a Friend —who spends four hours with them every single week until they graduate from high school. Each Friend is a full time staff member who works with eight vulnerable children to give them the support they need to grow and thrive.
More information about Friends of the Children is available on their website. To learn more about volunteering, email Precious Johnson or call her at 206-328-3535. To make an instant donation, click here.
Profile: D.A.D.S.
A little-served group of Puget Sound area children and fathers will benefit from a $5,000 grant awarded to Divine Alternatives for Dads Service (D.A.D.S.) by the CFOS Foundation. The grant will support D.A.D.S. programs which help fathers without custody stay involved in their children's lives.
D.A.D.S. offers training, support groups, reunification assistance, and help navigating the legal system to men who are living apart from their children. They meet their clients where they are and can offer the help that is needed at the moment. In all situations, D.A.D.S. works with men to help them understand their importance in the lives of their children.
In 2008, D.A.D.S. served approximately 500 men through support groups, individual counseling, and community based training. While these are chiefly men of color, D.A.D.S. embraces any man who wants to make positive changes in his relationship with his children.
"We are highly appreciative of the confidence in our work that this grant from the CFOS Foundation represents," said Marvin and Jeanett Charles, the co-founders of D.A.D.S. "A critical element of our success with helping fathers navigate the legal and child support systems is our ability to closely track and report on the progress of fathers, and use that data to refine and improve our services. This grant will assist us in that effort."
More information about D.A.D.S. is available on their website. To learn more about volunteering and contributing, contact Marvin and Jeanett Charles by email or phone them at 206-722-3137.
Profile: Starlight Foundation
The Starlight Children's Foundation of Washington has been awarded a $5,000 grant by the CFOS Foundation. The grant will be used to support core programs for seriously ill children and their families.
Since 1992, Starlight Children's Foundation Washington has dedicated itself to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries by providing entertainment, education, and family activities that help them cope with the pain, fear, and isolation of prolonged illness. Starlight Washington touches the lives of more than 7,000 Washington families each month. Their programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families with others facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone.
Starlight offers a comprehensive menu of outpatient, hospital-based, and web offerings that enable them to provide ongoing support for children and families — from diagnosis through the entire course of medical treatment. Programs include family activities and outings, in-hospital entertainment technology, online communities and interactive websites, in-hospital playrooms, kid-friendly treatment rooms, special events, and educational programming.
Steve McGraw, Executive Director of Starlight's Washington chapter, said "Starlight's programs can only happen through the generous support of others in our community like the CFOS Foundation. They are a model on how granting foundations can engage with charitable efforts in our community. We at Starlight are very grateful for the grant and professional support we are receiving from the CFOS Foundation."
More information about Starlight is available on their website. To learn more about volunteering at Starlight, click here. To make an instant donation, click here.
