KidsFirst, a nonprofit that works to prevent child abuse, receives a small percentage of its $1.8 million annual budget from corporate sponsors — but hopes to change that.  About 90 percent of KidsFirst’s revenue comes from government grants, said KidsFirst chief executive officer Lynda Gregory, who joined the organization a couple of weeks ago.

“We need to change that dynamic so we’re working with community members more closely and listening to the needs of our local community,” she said.

By reaching more businesses — and other private donors — KidsFirst aims to diversify its funding base so “we’re not putting all of our eggs in one basket,” Gregory said. “We believe we could be a more nimble, proactive organization by looking to private donors for support.”  Gregory added that $1.2 billion in cuts to social services budgets associated with children in California have been proposed for the coming fiscal year. As government sources become scarce, KidsFirst is looking elsewhere.

Formerly known as Child Abuse Prevention Council of Placer, KidsFirst has family resource centers in Roseville, Auburn and Citrus Heights. The nonprofit has helped 12,000 families during the past year. It has almost 100 corporate sponsors and 172 active individual volunteers.  Its annual fundraiser sold out for the first time last week. The 12th annual Putting KidsFirst awards luncheon, which recognizes “champions for kids,” drew 250 people.

“We’ve had a great response from the community even in these tough economic times,” said Gregory, who added that KidsFirst’s funding will be up slightly for the fiscal year ending in July.  Still, demand for KidsFirst services continues to outpace available resources.

“People understand the need for our services increased 66 percent over the last year,” Gregory said. “Research has shown for every dollar donated for prevention work, $4 is saved in the community.”

KidsFirst helps solve real-life challenges faced by parents and children. It offers homeless prevention services, emergency food vouchers, support groups, family counseling, after-school homework help, coaching for parents with children ages 2 to 7, in-home training for parents of children age 3 and younger, and more.

Businesses, meanwhile, donate time, money and expertise to help. Executives with companies such as SureWest Communications serve on KidsFirst’s 11-member board.

Mechanics Bank’s Robin Martin is chairwoman for the eight-member committee that puts on the annual luncheon.  KidsFirst’s mission to help struggling parents hit home for Martin, the single mother of a 13-year-old daughter.  Richmond-based Mechanics Bank, which has a long history of philanthropy, allows Martin to work on the project during work hours. She spends two to three hours a month — during work and non-work hours — coordinating the event. It takes about a year to plan.  The economic downturn meant some sponsors dropped off so the challenge was to find new ones, said Martin, a vice president and senior relationship manager in the bank’s Roseville office.

“The programs that they’ve offered there are just incredible,” Martin said.

“We’re actually able to keep 97 percent of the families we assist out of Child Protective Services,” Gregory added.

Kennan Bridge, vice president of business operations for Sierra View General Contractor, is treasurer and past president of the KidsFirst board.

“It’s not just writing a check,” Bridge said. “A lot of times it’s having somebody who has a particular set of talents be available to support and volunteer.”  He offers administrative and management advice, and Autumn Heacox, the company’s community relations manager, offers event planning and marketing expertise.

“The other way you get involved is you tell the story,” Bridge said. “You talk about the organization and actively share with people what the organization does. ... Because of our relationships in the community, we can grow that network.” 

by LeeAnn Dickson

Photos by Dante Fontana

How could anyone harm a child? It is nearly impossible to imagine anyone hurting someone so small and vulnerable.

Children are the innocents of the world. They deserve to be cherished, loved, protected, encouraged, taught and supported. Unfortunately, even in our community child abuse happens. In 2008, nearly 32,000 cases of child abuse were reported in our region, and even though this number is high, studies show that only one-third of the cases are reported. That means almost 100,000 kids in the Sierra and Sacramento regions are suffering. That is truly unacceptable.

Abuse comes in many forms and abusers have many different faces; there are no stereotypes. Children can suffer from physical injury, pain, mental and emotional anguish, even death at the hands of a parent or guardian. The definition of abuse can range from striking a child to withholding food or medical help. However, Judee Daniels, director of development and community relations for the non-profit KidsFirst knows that child abuse does not have to happen. KidsFirst offers educational and mentoring programs, which help adults understand and recognize the signs of anger and frustration that lead to abuse. “The recession has imposed more stress on local families,” Daniels explains. “Over the past three years, the request for our services has increased by 66 percent, and doubled in the last 12 months,” she states.

“Child abuse is 100 percent preventable!” Daniels says. “Our programs help solve real-life challenges and achieve lasting results,” she continues. An astounding 96 percent of families referred to KidsFirst by Child Protective Services did not need another intervention from the agency. “Children are not little grownups,” Daniels explains. “Some adults have inappropriate expectations of behavior.” KidsFirst educational programs teach parents and caregivers that a temperamental two-year-old is not defying you...the child simply does not have the mental and emotional development to understand the adult’s needs.

The 19th Century sportsman Herbert Ward said, “Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime.” Statistics show that an abused child can grow up to be an abuser, suffer from drug/alcohol addiction or become violent criminals. “Children model behavior,” Daniels says, “if not addressed, abuse can cycle through generations.” That is why it is imperative to stop abuse now. Luckily, today’s parents can turn to KidsFirst to get the tools to teach their children – tomorrow’s parents – that life can be lived without abuse.

KidsFirst, which has helped protect more than 50,000 kids for over 20 years, has many success stories. One mother contacted them when she knew she was near her breaking point. She and her six-year-old entered the Parent Child Interactive Therapy Program and in a matter of months, the temper-tantrum-throwing boy had turned around to an enthusiastic and pleasant child. The mom, now more confident in her parenting skills, is more than appreciative and says, “I have learned to understand my son and myself a lot better. Thank you for the tools, patience and practice.”

For more information or to get involved, visit kidsfirstnow.org.