Who We Are
The Children’s Foundation of America supports high-quality programs for children through solicitation of funds, engagement of volunteers and partnerships within the community. Through its board of trustees, staff and team of volunteers, the Foundation currently provides support to programs that address the health, safety, well-being and education of foster children, initiatives that advocate for children’s issues and community-based organizations that assist children in need. Our team is 100% volunteer-run!
Foundation Team
Cher provides oversight for the Foundation team and guides the activities of the Foundation on behalf of the board of trustees. Cher has worked in the music industry and as a professional actress. Among her many academic degrees and certificates, Cher holds a BA in organizational management from Arizona State University and post-graduate certifications from Cornell University and Harvard Graduate School of Education. Cher is also a member of the first graduating cohort in a National Human Services Assembly (NHSA) nonprofit executive leadership program; a collaboration with Arizona State University, Indiana University and the Lilly School of Philanthropy. In 2019, Cher completed her master’s degree in ethical leadership from Claremont Lincoln University. Cher has worked in foster care administration for over two decades and has served on a variety of nonprofit boards. She currently serves on the Human Relations Committee for the City of Claremont to help oversee their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, serves on the Policy and Practice Commission for the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), is on the Juvenile Justice Steering Committee for the California Alliance for Children & Families, and is a Design Thinking Department Advisor at University of California, Riverside. In her spare time, Cher performs stand-up comedy professionally.
Jenelle oversees the day-to-day operations and staffing of the Foundation, which includes fundraising event management, volunteer coordination, scholarship disbursement, community outreach, and stewardship. Above all, Jenelle’s focus is to identify and access resources in order to help children heal, learn and thrive. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from California State University Fullerton and has become very involved in the community. She is active in her church and owns an art gallery.
Linh supervises a team of accountants in processing incoming and outgoing donations as well as balancing our expenses. Linh has been serving on our team for nearly 15 years and spends her free time volunteering at the Foundation with her children.
Alexandra supports the Foundation team with daily tasks including organization, correspondence and preparing reports or documents. She helps facilitate our Communications Committee and serves on the Diversity, Inclusion, Vale, Equity (DIVE) team at Trinity Youth Services. Alexandra obtained her bachelor's degree in art history from UC Santa Barbara and a master's degree in art business from Claremont Graduate University. She is currently the senior associate at the Claremont Lewis Museum of Art and was the sales associate and social media coordinator for Amelie boutique and a file clerk at Trinity Youth Services. Alexandra has served the Foundation as long as she can remember. Her mother would bring her to the office when she was a child and would help out on summer break in high school. "Now I’m happy to be here full time," she says.
Briana leads our volunteer program through various campaigns and volunteer activities year round. Briana describes her responsibility as helping to create a space for everyone to come volunteer and find community in serving a greater purpose than our own. Briana graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication with a focus on public relations at California State University San Bernardino. During her time at CSUSB, she was a student recruiter and tour guide. Having enjoyed her experience working with students and public speaking, working with volunteers seemed like a natural step. Briana joined our team in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and helped advance our volunteer systems with technology and provided virtual volunteer opportunities when possible. In 2019, Briana was awarded the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Scholarship and was invited to the 33rd Annual HACU Conference in Chicago, IL. In addition to her position at CFA, Briana also serves on the Diversity, Inclusion, Value, Equity (DIVE) team at Trinity Youth Services helping to create a curriculum for foster youth to explore social justice through expression. Briana is also a participant in the Claremont Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders network.
Paula researches and writes for granting opportunities. She majored in human services at Brigham Young University and has experience in marketing, public relations and nonprofit work. She has served on PTA boards and school site councils as well as volunteered in local schools for more than 15 years. She started her own grass-roots charity, which has served people in the US, India, Mexico and Africa through campaigns that provided food, clothes, hygiene products, medical supplies and instruments, and items to help entrepreneurs start home based businesses.
Board of Trustees
John Neiuber, Chairman
Danny Keshishian, Vice-Chairman
Ashley Adams, Secretary/Treasurer
Laura Chaidez, Member
Christina Jackson, Member
Sharon Nagel, Member
Carla Kingsbury, Member
Our History

View the Children's Foundation of America 2021 Annual Report.
Organizations Served
Trinity Youth Services
Upland Unified School District
Mt. Rubidoux Foster Resource
San Bernardino School District
Ark Family Homes
Ontario Montclair School District
Foothill Family Shelter
Tree of Life
Building Bridges
Shoes That Fit
Citrus Elementary School
Pathway Family Services
Advantage Foster Family Agency
Parents Anonymous
Penny Lane Centers
Crittenton Foster Care
McKinley Children’s Center
Uncommon Good
Oak Grove Center
Inland Empire Residential
Fields Comprehensive Youth Services
Greater Hope Foundation
David & Margaret Youth & Family Services
House of Ruth
Family Pathways
Haynes Family Programs
Texas DFPS
Olive Crest
Serenity Foster Care and Adoptions
Hannah's Children's Homes
Riverside Unified School District
Inland Temporary Homes
New Dawn Group Home
St. Anne’s Home
The Veteran’s Center
Pomona Unified School District
Children's Advocacy Center
Saving Our Daughters
Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center
Children Advocacy Center
New Life Foster Family Agency
Mission Elementary School
Concerned Citizens for the Development of North Fontana
Purposely Chosen
San Gabriel Children's Center