April is National Volunteer Month!
April is National Volunteer Month, a time to support, honor, celebrate and show appreciation to those who give their time and effort to help those in need, to improve the conditions of our environment and to make the world a better, kinder, more equitable place!
Most of us understand the intrinsic value of volunteering. We feel good when we help others. There are also real, tangible reasons volunteering makes us “feel better.” According to AmeriCorps USA, people who volunteer more than 100 hours annual are among the healthiest people in the nation. Volunteering decreases the likelihood of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke by 40% by strengthening the mind and body, improving mood and lessening stress.
Although the pandemic had a devastating impact on many nonprofit organizations that rely heavily on volunteers to operate, it is estimated that more than 60.7 million Americans (23% of the population) formally volunteered with organizations last year. In total, these amazing humans served approximately 4.1 BILLION hours, with an economic value of $122.9 billion.
The American Presidency Project stated:
“We are living in a moment that calls for hope and light and love. Hope for our futures, light to see our way forward, and love for one another. Volunteers provide all three. Service—the act of looking out for one another—is part of who we are as a Nation. Our commitment to service reflects our understanding that we can best meet our challenges when we join together. This week, we recognize the enduring contributions of our Nation’s volunteers and encourage more Americans to join their ranks.
“The tremendous power of volunteers and volunteerism has been on dramatic display in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All across the country, retired doctors and nurses, students and veterans, personnel from across the Federal Government, and countless others have given their time and talent to administer vaccines, staff vaccination centers, boost testing, tracing, and other life-saving public health measures, and provide food, water, and other necessities to those at heightened risk so they can remain safely at home.”
While an impressive 8,000,000 Californians volunteered nearly 7,000,000 hours of service last year, those numbers only equate to about 1/3rd of California’s citizens, placing our state 47th in terms of volunteerism per capita. Utah ranks 1st, with more than 51% of the state population engaging in regular volunteerism and 70% of residents donating at least $25 to charity annually.
If you are looking for an organization to volunteer with, please consider the Children’s Foundation of America. We are an entirely volunteer-operated organization, which was established nearly twenty years ago to provide “gap funding” for foster care programs. Money raised went directly to provide goods and services that were not available to children through the county contracts, such as certain healthcare, education and therapeutic essentials. Over the years, the Foundation has grown to serve more than 3,000 children and youth and over 20 separate children’s agencies. Click here to learn more about our volunteer program and get involved.
Cher Ofstedahl, CEO
Cher leads our organization which serves over 3,000 children in need each year. She also is the CEO of Trinity Youth Services, an agency which serves over 200 children and families daily through residential therapeutic services, mental health programs, foster care and adoption services. Cher advocates for children in need after experiencing her own childhood trauma. Her firsthand experience gives her unique insight into our mission to help children and families create a better future. In 2019, Cher completed her master’s degree in ethical leadership from Claremont Lincoln University. Cher 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, is a Design Thinking Department Advisor at University of California, Riverside and serves on the board for the Association of Community Human Service Agencies (ACHSA). In 2018, she was recognized by Senator Anthony Portantino as Outstanding Nonprofit Executive Director and, in 2022, Cher was named Woman of Distinction by Assemblymember Chris Holden.
Volunteer Spotlight: Kelly Renken
This month’s volunteer spotlight is Kelly Renken. Kelly came to volunteer with Children’s Foundation of America last year during our Back-to-School campaign. From then she has helped by donating school items and at CFA’s annual golf tournament by facilitating golf challenges. The heart she has for her community is truly amazing! Check out her story below.
Q: How did you hear about Children’s Foundation of America?
A: Good ol’ Google. I did an internet search for children’s organization in foster care. I was curious and impressed with CFA.
Q: What is your favorite campaign?
A: I haven’t had an opportunity to participate in all of campaigns yet, but I did have a lot of fun volunteering at the golf tournament.
Q: What do you like about volunteering with CFA?
A: CFA offers several opportunities and ways to volunteer every year. This makes volunteering very accessible with my schedule. But most importantly, I feel the community of children CFA serves is so worthy.
Q: How did you get into volunteering?
A: I’ve always volunteered. Mostly through my children’s school and with their sports. Volunteering is just part of my living and what God calls me to do. I like to be a helping hand in my community.
Q: What inspires you to volunteer?
A: No inspiration needed. Just love!
Q: Other than volunteering, what are your other hobbies?
A: I love to garden, exercise, and hang out with my kids.
Q: Do you have a favorite memory volunteering with CFA?
A: My favorite memory was my first-time volunteering with CFA, I was filling backpacks for the Back-to-School campaign. This was really rewarding seeing the generosity of everyone who donated school items for the foster youth. This was right up my alley in volunteering.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
A: I am a marathon runner. I am currently in training for a half marathon coming up on Memorial weekend.
Q: Anything you want to let the reader know about Children’s Foundation of America?
A: If you are looking to get involved in your community, CFA is an organization of wonderful people, and their campaigns are organized and well ran. There isn’t a more worthy group than children in foster care who could use your time talents and resources.
Get Involved
If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Briana Calderon at 909-426-0773 or email volunteer@trinityys.org.
Briana Calderon, Volunteer Coordinator
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 has helped advance our volunteer systems with technology and provided virtual volunteer opportunities when possible. In addition to her position at CFA, Briana also serves on the Diversity, Inclusion, Value, Equity (DIVE) team.
CFA Provides Over 300 Children with New School Supplies
Going back to school will undoubtedly be unusual after more than a year of distanced learning and isolation. A school campus is often seen as a safe haven for foster children and a place of structure and consistency. For their sake, we are glad they have the opportunity to return to the classroom and provide a small sense of normalcy. The Children’s Foundation of America (CFA) partnered with local agencies to provide backpacks and school supplies required for the success of 310 children identified as in-need.
We kicked off the campaign by inviting donors to participate in dropping off new supplies to our warehouse or collection locations in the Claremont Village. Alternatively, donors could purchase needed items off our Amazon Wish List and ship directly to our warehouse, or donate funds to purchase additional supplies. We received hundreds of sets of supplies as well as hundreds of dollars to the campaign. Additionally, volunteers brought supplies to contribute to the cause. We received enough supplies that we were able to support four organizations: Trinity Youth Services, Pathways Family Services, Citrus Elementary, and Shoes That Fit.
Volunteer Coordinator, Briana Calderon, led volunteers in a two-day school care package distribution and also partnered with various local Target locations to provide additional supplies to reach our goal of supporting 300 children. Fifteen volunteers turned out to support and “they were very eager to help,” Briana said.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Back-to-School Drive for children in need. The success of this campaign would not be possible without our amazing donors and volunteers. To learn how you can get involved with our volunteer program, contact Briana Calderon at bcalderon@trinityys.org or at (909) 426-0773 ext. 236.
Isabel Millward-Pena, Communications Specialist
Isabel contributes content for our social media, blog, newsletters and promotional materials. She recently earned a bachelor’s degree in English from California State University San Bernardino and is currently working on her master’s degree. Isabel began working with our team as an intern and, luckily for us, never left. Prior to her work at CFA, she was a substitute instructional aid and a supervisor at Starbucks. She has also volunteered as an aid at local elementary schools and notably achieved “Partner of the Quarter” at Starbucks in 2017.
We’re on POINT!
The Children’s Foundation of America is now on POINT, a fantastic volunteer mobile app geared towards individuals who are looking for volunteer opportunities in their community. This app is a great way to get connected with Children’s Foundation of America and our volunteer opportunities. It is easy to use; all you need to do is create a profile, look for Children’s Foundation of America, follow us, and sign up to the events posted. We will also be sending sign-up opportunities through our monthly e-blast “Volunteer Now!” so you don’t miss a thing.
POINT offers some great features including being able to track volunteer hours and entering volunteer hours remotely for approval. In addition, the Foundation will also be able to monitor our top volunteers and maintain a leaderboard!
Reasons to join PIONT:
- Mobile app
- Create a user profile
- Easy sign-ups for volunteer events
- Track your hours
- Manually enter hours yourself
- Sign in and out of volunteer activities on the app
- Donate to our cause through the app to support campaigns you volunteer for
- Get involved with CFA and other causes you care about
Sign Up Now!
Briana Calderon, Volunteer Coordinator
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 has helped advance our volunteer systems with technology and provided virtual volunteer opportunities when possible. In addition to her position at CFA, Briana also serves on the Diversity, Inclusion, Value, Equity (DIVE) team.
Volunteer Spotlight: Karen Valente
The Children’s Foundation of America has been incredibly lucky to have Karen Valente as one of our amazing volunteers. She is hardworking and always has such a fabulous attitude. Karen is retired and loves to spend her free time volunteering or visiting with family.
Family is a big part of Karen’s life. She has three children and a granddaughter, who is the apple of her eye. She enjoys volunteering for the Foundation because she feels that, “giving back and supporting children is so important,” she said. Her favorite event is our Back to School Drive. “It reaches so many children; back to school time is such an important time in children’s lives, especially children in need. Volunteering at that event reminds me of when my children were young and how each year was like a new beginning for them. I want children in need to have that same experience,” she commented.
Karen learned about the Foundation through Volunteer Match. She also volunteers for David and Margaret Youth and Family Services. She cares so much about helping others, her commitment to making a difference really shows. Karen has worked many events with our Volunteer Coordinator, Paula Leal, who says, “Karen is the type of individual anyone would love to have in their corner; her willingness to perform service is genuine and heart-felt. She brings a kind spirit to everything she does. During several service opportunities, she has worked entire days to help get needed items out to our youth.”
Not only does Karen help each month with our Birthday in a Bag event, but she also consistently signs-up for other volunteer opportunities. She works for our annual Trinity Classic Golf Tournament and Fundraiser, warehouse projects, making scarves for Warm & Fuzzy February, Back to School Drive, various Claremont socials, care package making and distribution, and participates in our Holiday Heroes campaign, to name a few.
In 2019 she served 77 hours for the Children’s Foundation and won the top award, Volunteer Superhero, at our annual “Valenteer” Party. Her superhero motto is, “Be kind to everyone,” and it is certainly one she demonstrates each time she works with the Foundation. We are honored to have Karen Valente volunteering with us.
If you or someone you know would like to volunteer and Be the Difference, get involved! Contact us at 800.KIDS.730.
Isabel Millward-Pena
Isabel contributes content for our social media, blog, newsletters and promotional materials. She recently earned a bachelor’s degree in English from California State University San Bernardino and is currently working on her master’s degree. Isabel began working with our team as an intern and, luckily for us, never left. Isabel primarily works as Clerical for Trinity Youth Services. Prior to her work there, she was a substitute instructional aid and a supervisor at Starbucks. She has also volunteered as an aid at local elementary schools and notably achieved “Partner of the Quarter” at Starbucks in 2017.
CFA Celebrates 2019 Volunteers at Heartfelt Recognition Party
What has 100 hands, more heart than a room can hold, and the power to help thousands of children in in a single bound? The attendees at this year’s volunteer appreciation party, of course! On February 22, the Children’s Foundation of America held its fourth annual “Valenteer” Party, and quite a success, it was.
The event, sponsored by Paycom, was hosted by the DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont. Guests enjoyed a catered lunch, delectable desserts, prizes and awards. It was the perfect stage for declaring appreciation for the volunteers who served more than 1,700 hours, at 45 events, during 2019.
Volunteers are the keystone of the Foundation, and in 2019 helped to make possible: The distribution of 1,309 care packages, awarding of $56,500 in scholarships and literacy grants, funding of music lessons and school activities, gifting of graduation hats and gowns, gym equipment for a residential campus and much more.
Everyone in attendance had supported the Foundation in 2019 by giving at least ten hours of their time and working 2 or more events. They received certificates from our organization as well as from the office of Senator Anthony Portantino. Special designations were given to volunteers who went above and beyond and were honored with special plaques or trophies.
Volunteer Superheroes
Karen Valente served the most volunteer hours, totaling 77, in all. She is the type of individual anyone would love to have in their corner; her willingness to perform service is genuine and heart-felt. During several service opportunities, she has stayed full days to help get needed items out to our youth.
Jim Athey is next in line with the second highest total of 44 hours. He is one who lets nothing stand in his way of showing up to an event; this was recently demonstrated when he chose to ride his bike in the rain, several miles, rather than to cancel his commitment, due to transportation difficulties.
Action Hero
Zayda Cruz, an advocate for literacy among youth, raises public awareness and funds for children in need. Last year, she established the Zayda Literacy Fund with the Children’s Foundation of America, which awards $500 grants for three foster children per year.
Dynamic Duos
Vicki and John Rensch served the most hours as a team, with 55 hours. This amazing couple has actually been on a walk, ran into our group doing a project, and stopped what they were doing in order to volunteer.
Berkeley and Blake Leal, with 36 hours of support at the foundation. This brother and sister team are proof that the family who serves together, stays together.
Megan Hakopian and Treza Oghoorian, touting a collective 28 hours of service. They are a mother and daughter who tag-team, in order to help us at the most events.
Superhero Squad
Sylvia Tam’s Lion’s Heart group worked a collective 100 hours. This group shows how mighty their hearts are by working overtime at the holiday wrap station; many times, while refusing to stop for a break.
Star Command Award
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont contributed the most hours served as a company. We can always count on these heroes for back-up! The staff volunteered at our holiday gift-wrapping fundraiser, conducted a gift-drive for our youth, and donated a lovely hotel space for our volunteer recognition event.
Wells Fargo, another business who went above and beyond filling days of shifts at our gift-wrapping fundraiser.
Our Hearts Are Filled With Gratitude
Thank you again to the DoubleTree Hotel, Paycom and to all who participated in this year’s event. Thank you for being so willing to give your time to serve the community. We hope you will be joining us next year. There is still plenty of time to be a hero for a child in need, get involved!
Paula Leal, Volunteer Coordinator
Paula reaches out to the community to provide opportunities for volunteerism within our organization. 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.
Holiday Heroes Gift Drive
Bringing Holiday Joy To Children In Need
The mission of the Children’s Foundation of America is to provide an opportunity for every person to help children lean, learn and thrive by supporting children affected by abuse, neglect or abandonment. Join our Holiday Heroes campaign to help thousands of local displaced youth in foster care, residential therapeutic programs, shelters, under-served communities, and children identified by their school as in-need. The circumstances these children face is beyond their control. Help a child feel loved and cherished during the holidays. Contact the Children’s Foundation of America at 800.KIDS.730 or donations@trinityys.org.
Shop Our Wish List!
Collection Locations
Donate a new, unwrapped gift for ages 0-18. Each year we provide thousands of children with holiday gifts of their very own. Help us share the joy of the season to children in need! Collection Locations:
Children’s Foundation of America
Donations can be shipped or dropped off Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
201 N. Indian Hill Blvd. Ste. 200, Claremont (Door code: 1966)
Montclair Place
Drop off at our gift wrapping store at the main entrance near the Verizon store and Santa Claus!
5060 N. Montclair Plaza Ln. #5090, Montclair, CA 91763
Claremont Village
Visit various locations in Claremont’s downtown shops to drop off gifts.
Participating Locations
EPICycle Studios
8443 Haven Ave. #107, Rancho Cucamonga
Sanctuary Coffee
863 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont
Be Rosie Salon
849 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont
Human Element Realty
405 W. Foothill Blvd #203, Claremont
Claremont Craft Ales
1420 N. Claremont Blvd. #204C, Claremont
Centers for Spiritual Living
509 S. College Ave., Claremont
DoubleTree Ontario
222 Vineyard Ave., Ontario
Thank you to our Gift Drive Partners!
Volunteer Spotlight: Megan Hakopian
Megan Hakopian is a high school student who loves to volunteer. When she discovered Children’s Foundation of America on VolunteerMatch, she searched our organization online to learn more. “I saw that it aligned with my interests and values,” she said. “So I signed up right away!”
Her first and favorite volunteer memory with the Foundation was helping at our Claremont Earth Day booth. “I didn’t know anyone and Marie welcomed me with such a warm heart,” she said. “I felt right at home.” For her first time volunteering with us, Megan did an excellent job engaging with booth visitors and collecting donations with our spin wheel game.
Since then, Megan has volunteered at our CREAM Ontario fundraiser, helped cut event flyers at our office, inventoried in our warehouse and assembled spring goodie baskets.
She loves that volunteering allows people to develop new skills, especially with nonprofit charities like CFA. “Unlike other organizations, charitable organizations are happy to give positions to passionate, though inexperienced individuals,” she said. “Individuals who desire to help others and benefit the community.”
Outside of volunteering with CFA, Megan is active in her church, is part of Model United Nations, Girl Scouts, fencing, Claremont Canopy and occasionally plays the piano. “I don’t volunteer for the glory or the awards,” Megan said, “but because I love seeing others smile. It makes me really appreciate what I have and warms my heart.”
Megan highly encourages others to volunteer with CFA and even got her mom involved in the organization. Her advice for potential CFA volunteers and donors: “Pour your whole heart into it,” she said. “This is such an amazing organization and each time I volunteer I can only imagine how many children are impacted by one small act.”
The Children’s Foundation of America relies on volunteers like Megan to Be the Difference in the lives of children in need. Click here to learn more about how you can get involved too!
Marie Maghuyop, Communications & Volunteer Relations Specialist
Marie creates content for social media, writes blogs and coordinates volunteer opportunities and events. She enjoys connecting with volunteers of diverse backgrounds and getting to know their unique stories. She has earned two associate’s degrees from San Bernardino Valley College and a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Fullerton. In her free time, Marie loves going to Disneyland, writing, playing ukulele and board games, and dancing.
CFA Relaunches Birthday in a Bag Campaign
In January, the Children’s Foundation of America relaunched our Birthday in a Bag campaign to make birthdays extra special for foster youth.
Birthday in a Bag started out as a project by a few volunteers to provide birthday bags to our partner organization Trinity Youth Services. The bags were distributed to foster youth at Trinity’s location in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. With so many volunteers and donors participating in Birthday in a Bag, it has been expanded to an ongoing campaign supporting five of the foster care and residential sites at Trinity Youth Services, across San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties.
Each month, volunteers arrive at our Upland warehouse to assemble the bags for the following month’s birthdays. We recently recruited Matthew Chavez to be our Birthday in a Bag Volunteer Captain, after having volunteered for the activity every month since January.
“I love gift giving,” Matthew said. “It’s a fun experience to pick a gift and create a bag for the kids.”
Volunteers are provided a list of foster youth, their ages and their interests to pull items from our inventory of donated goodies. Volunteers fill birthday bags with cake mix, frosting, decorations, handmade card and a gift. Since the campaign began in January, 13 volunteers have helped assemble birthday bags for 40 foster youth ranging from infants to teenagers.
How You Can Help
The Foundation is collecting birthday items all year round including:
- Large party bags
- Cake mix
- Frosting
- Candles
- Birthday decorations
- Balloons
- Plates
- Cups
- Napkins
- Utensils
Birthday in a Bag items can be dropped off at our warehouse Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1326 W. 9th St. Upland, CA 91786. As an alternative, a $20 donation made through our website can also provide a complete Birthday in a Bag for a foster youth. Please consider making a monthly donation to help provide birthdays for foster youth throughout the year!
Marie Maghuyop, Communications & Volunteer Relations Specialist
Marie creates content for social media, writes blogs and coordinates volunteer opportunities and events. She enjoys connecting with volunteers of diverse backgrounds and getting to know their unique stories. She has earned two associate’s degrees from San Bernardino Valley College and a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Fullerton. In her free time, Marie loves going to Disneyland, writing, playing ukulele and board games, and dancing.
Volunteer Spotlight: Linh Trieu
Linh Trieu is an invaluable and frequent volunteer with the Children’s Foundation of America. She is also an employee of our partner organization, Trinity Youth Services. She has worked there for 15 years as the Controller in the finance department.
At the Foundation, Linh has volunteered doing gift wrapping for our Holiday Heroes campaign, is a volunteer captain at our annual golf tournament, and has passed out Halloween candy at Claremont’s Spooktacular annual event. At our “Valenteer” Party she received the 2018 “Triniteer of the Year” award for accumulating the most volunteer hours among the many Trinity staff volunteers.
Because her position at Trinity does not always allow for direct involvement with the various Foundation campaigns, Linh makes it a point to volunteer outside of work whenever she can.
“What I do here at the office is support the Foundation to do their job,” she explained. “They help more directly with the kids than I can, so whenever I can help and volunteer, I do it because I’m putting a little bit of myself towards making their future brighter or making a new reality for them. It’s making a difference.”
Outside of her job and work with CFA she and her family frequently volunteer at the Santa Ana Armory to feed the homeless. She is also involved with the volunteer groups her church organizes, where they often make hot meals for the needy. Cooking meals was Linh’s first volunteer experience.
“It was eye opening. We didn’t realize how many people were out there that needed help. There are so many people in need,” she said.
Empathy and Volunteering
Upon arriving in the United States, Linh says her early experiences in the county motivate her to make a difference. “I came here from Vietnam,” she said, “And went through hard times when we first got here so I understand the hardship. I feel like I’m able to connect with others.”
Linh views volunteering as a way to get her kids involved and increase the awareness of issues in the community. “When we brought the kids to volunteer, they heard about it, but had never seen a place with hundreds of people in need. When we go to the shelter you can see kids – little ones – that need help. It’s a big problem. You don’t realize it until you’re out there volunteering.”
Linh uses volunteering as a way to instill empathy and instruct important values within her family. “My kids volunteer at Trinity. They’ve come with me to work and helped out since they were little. They’ve learned to give back and share. You have to give back, be open, and love others,” Linh said.
For those who are considering volunteering, Linh says, “Definitely get involved. It helps you not just feel good, but your body, mind, and spirit benefit too.” In all things, Linh takes a holistic approach. She loves to spend time with her family and exercise. To stay active, she visits the gym, goes on hikes with her family or volunteers!
The Children’s Foundation of America is supported by great volunteers like Linh. Click here to learn more about getting involved!
Jose Rojas, CFA Intern
Jose is an English literature major at California State University San Bernardino. As a CFA intern, Jose attends and photographs events and writes for our blog. He has previously volunteered with The Prison Library Project. In his free time, you can catch him playing tennis or cramming for his next exam.