By Denise Ortuno Neil
With the demands of school and the inventible challenges of growing up, kids need an outlet that inspires them to succeed. These outlets sometimes come in the form of sports and other after school activities which cannot always be afforded by them. But with the help of Rosie’s Kids, these kids now have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities and grow in a multitude of ways.
Rosie Welmas, founder of Rosie’s Kids came to the Coachella Valley from Northern California when she was a teen. Her parents worked as agricultural workers and traveled often, finally settling in the desert. As a child, Welmas participated in sports as a way to escape boredom as her parents were not usually home. She kept herself busy, strong and motivated by playing a variety of sports as well as getting involved in theatre programs.
Despite her eagerness to excel, Welmas found herself in troubled times in her youth while living in an Indio project, often running away from home. Her past has not only inspired her to help kids, but is the reason her organization is so successful and popular with valley youth, “A lot of these kids relate to me, and look up to me which inspires them to continue to reach their goals and dreams,” said Welmas.
She started her non-profit organization Rosie’s Kids in 2010, and helps to raise funds for kids up to age 18 who have difficulty in affording the essentials that come along with after school sports (gear, uniforms etc.), but also assists in other activities such as art, music and dance working with valley district schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, as well as other charities. Welmas has been involved in youth sports for 18 years, mostly while she assisted as a coach while her own kids played sports, and then it evolved from there. Rosie’s Kids receives funds from private donations and through her fundraising efforts, and has never benefitted from state grants. All kids (parents or guardians) have to do is go online to the Rosie’s Kids website and request assistance. They will be contacted and assistance will be put into place.
Along with Rosie’s Kids, Welmas started her own semi-pro football team, the Desert Chiefs in June 2013. The team has adult players from age 19 and up, and is a way to give the players a second chance to be recruited by the NFL, “That’s what makes it special, they still have a chance to move forward,” said Welmas. The team plays games throughout Southern California and has had a successful season winning the Pacific Coast Conference Championship this past November.
Her football team serves as a fundraising source to assist Rosie’s Kids, as the profits from the games go directly to them. To continue her charitable work, Welmas has recently launched DC Promotions in Indio which provides screen-printing and embroidery, offering uniforms, hats and other goods, specializing in fundraising t-shirts for non-profits, or any group that wants to raise money.
The Desert Chiefs will be having their Red Carpet Awards Gala on January 18th, 2014 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino where they will debut their works from DC Promotions with a fashion show to help promote their new shop. Tickets are $50 per person and the public is encouraged to attend, as all proceeds benefit Rosie’s Kids.
Welmas will also be having her annual fundraising Golf Tournament for Rosie’s Kids at Eagle Falls Golf Course in Indio on January 31st, 2014. The event is $75 per person and includes a luncheon, auction and raffle.
In addition, Welmas will soon be breaking ground on Rosie’s Kids Park. The park will be located off Golf Center Parkway on land generously donated by the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians. The park will include 4 football fields, 2 basketball courts and 2 baseball fields. The park will give kids the space and opportunity to play and enjoy their favorite sports without restriction of space or limited venues.
Welmas is always hard at work with her organizations, doing all the marketing and promotions herself, “It’s a lot of work, but it is what I love to do,” she said.
Welmas is humble admitting that she never imagined herself being the founder of a progressive organization such as Rosie’s Kids, “Sports basically saved me,” said Welmas. And now she is returning the favor helping kids see their full potential.
For more information on Rosie’s Kids visit www.rosieskids.com
For more information on Desert Chiefs visit www.desertchiefs.com
