Each year over 1,500 youth in San Joaquin County find themselves in Foster Care due to neglect, abuse or abandonment. The Mary Graham Children’s Foundation is a private non-profit 501 (c)3 organization formed by local concerned individuals to give support to local foster youth, picking up where other systems of support leave off.
Our foster youth start off their childhood with difficulties no child should have to face, and unfortunately, their transition into adulthood can be just as difficult. On their 18th birthday, our Foster Youth are processed out of the foster care system, and are largely on their own in the world…on their own with minimal financial support, no parents to fall back on, and with limited education and job skills. Your support of our Foundation makes a life-changing difference in these children’s ability to successfully transition out of care and into life on their own.
The Foundation’s fundraising efforts are dedicated to providing trade school and college scholarship opportunities for these children and those who are placed in the foster care system and have since”aged out”… all innocent victims of abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
Please join us and invest in these youths futures! Your donation can change lives.
Tax ID number 94-3377000
OUR MISSION is to provide support that enhances life skills and education to local foster youth.
Former foster youth face significant barriers in accessing higher education, resulting in limited opportunities for a successful future. The statistics are startling.
Did you know that only 3% of former foster youth graduate from college? This shockingly low number is not due to a lack of ambition or potential, but rather a system that often fails to provide the necessary support and resources. Without a college education or trade school training, these young individuals are more likely to face unemployment, poverty, and a lifetime of missed opportunities.
At Mary Graham Children’s Foundation, we believe in empowering former foster youth and breaking the cycle of limited opportunities. Our organization is committed to providing trade school and college scholarships, ensuring that these deserving individuals have equal access to education and a chance to build a successful future.
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President |
MELANIE VIEUX |
WMB Architects |
|
Vice President |
DOT LOFSTROM |
CA Department of Toxic Substances, Retired |
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Secretary/Treasurer |
CLEM LEE |
Superintendent, ABLE Charter Schools, Retired |
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Member |
NINA BOOKMAN |
Delta College |
|
Member |
DR. EARL TAYLOR |
Physician |
|
Member |
JOHN VERA |
Community Volunteer |
|
Member |
DOUGLASS W. WILHOIT, JR. |
Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Retired |
|
Member |
CHRIS WOODS |
Human Services Agency |
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Member |
MARK YOST |
San Joaquin County Office of Education |
|
Foundation Staff |
REBECCA FISHER |
Executive Director |
Established in 2000, the MGCF strives to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged and at-risk youth of San Joaquin County. The driving force behind the Foundation’s inception was the need for suitable housing for innocent children removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment.
The Foundation, whose volunteer board includes business leaders, health care professionals, financial experts, and educators, rallied with the community and the Human Service Agency to replace the crumbling dormitory buildings that provided shelter to the children. The Foundation raised enough funds to build a child advocacy center where victims of abuse may be interviewed discreetly and with sensitivity. The new JD Kortzeborn Child Advocacy Center is located on the shelter’s grounds and provides medical care for residents and other foster children.
Upon completion of the new Shelter the Foundation recognized a dismaying void in the continuum of care for foster children. Once these children attain adulthood, there is no provision for continued education and after-care. Without guidance and financial support systems, the odds of these children becoming successful, self-sufficient adults are low. Statistics show that former foster children comprise 40% of the nation’s homeless population. Many of which end up in the criminal justice system.
The Foundations rose to the challenge, and started its Trade School and College Scholarship Program in 2004. Eight students were initially enrolled at trade schools, community colleges, and state universities. Several students have since graduated and have began their careers. The Foundation’s contributions may include subsidized housing, special needs stipends, and tutoring services.
Concurrent with these efforts, the Foundation provided enrichment funds for the children placed in the protective custody of the Shelter. While government funds cover the basic living expenses-food, shelter, clothing-there are no funds for the little “extras” that enrich childhood-birthday parties, holiday gifts, outings to the movies and ball games, prom dresses and tuxedos, etc. The Foundation determined to cover these expenses and has supported the County’s mission to provide a safe, nurturing environment for these children while they begin their healing process.
In addition to this financial support, the Foundation has established a mentoring program for the scholarship recipients. Community volunteers from varied walks of life-physicians, attorneys, educators, philanthropists-have joined forces to lend a helping hand, open ears, and sometimes, a shoulder to cry on, so that the students can navigate through yet another stressful period in their lives.
