By Madeline Zuckerman
Olive Crest, the trusted leader in the prevention and treatment of child abuse for over 45 years, has announced the launch of a significant Fundraising Campaign, “Child Abuse Stops Here” for both the Desert Communities and Riverside County.
Did you know . . . There is a report of child abuse made every 10 seconds
Did you know . . . Five Children die every day from child abuse
Did you know . . . There are over 400,000 children in the child welfare system at any given time
“The goal of this Campaign is to not only raise awareness but to raise the goal of $80,000, which will pay for 7,000 days of safety and care for these at-risk children and families we serve within these two communities,” stated Walter Mueller, Director of Development for Riverside and the Coachella Valley. “This Campaign invites all Olive Crest supporters, friends, and families to utilize their sphere of influence within their own peer network, in order to mobilize these two communities and raise awareness and support of Olive Crest’s critical and life-saving programs and services. We provide a Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Tool Kit to help anyone who wants to help out get started. Our organization developed this program because the child welfare system was never intended to replace the family, therefore, Olive Crest believes in building strong families to ensure children are safe.”
The way the Campaign works is that the organization is asking the community to come up with the names of 40 Friends in 4 Minutes, such as 4 relatives and/or family members, 4 friends, 4 coworkers, 4 neighbors, 4 community group contacts, such as churches, synagogues, social clubs, and civic engagements, 4 people you do business with, such as your banker grocer, hair stylist, barber, and auto mechanic. Campaign Sponsorships, offering supporters many benefits, start as low as $500 and go all the way up to $10,000.
Over the past several weeks, Olive Crest is reporting that individuals, as well as corporations have stepped up to the plate to donate and support Olive Crest. Sponsors thus far include Burrtec Waste Management, California Baptist University, and Pacific HydroTech.
“The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at CBU is honored to partner with Olive Crest in support of the children and families in our community,” stated Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences at CBU. “Children and families throughout our communities suffer as a result of child abuse and neglect. Partnering with an organization like Olive Crest that only provides necessary interventions, but important preventative services and resources, is key. I am so encouraged to see partners from across a myriad of sectors in our city and region, come together on behalf of our kids. Together we can work effectively toward creating safe and loving environments where children not only grow but thrive!”
The need is enormous, but together, we can ensure that every child in our community has a strong family, a safe home, and is equipped for a healthy and productive life. This audacious vision is only possible through the power of God, family, and community . . . a community committed to making an impact and ending the child abuse crisis. . .”One Life At A Time.”
Please join us in our “Child Abuse Stops Here” Campaign! Please click on https://olivecrest.salsalabs.org/safekids
Since 1973, Olive Crest has transformed the lives of over 150,000 abused, neglected, and at-risk children and their families. The organization works tirelessly to meet the individual needs of kids in crisis by providing safe homes, counseling, and education for both youth and parents. Olive Crest’s many innovative programs reflect the organization’s conviction that strengthening the family is one of the most powerful ways to help heal children. With unwavering compassion, the Olive Crest family maintains a lifelong commitment to the youth and families it serves, even after they have graduated from their programs. Olive Crest serves nearly 4,000 children and families each day throughout California, Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest. For information please call 1-800-550-CHILD (2445) or visit www.olivecrest.org
