The mission of Northwest Children’s Fund is to end the cycle of child abuse and neglect by supporting programs for at-risk children and their families.

Spring 2010 newsletter

NWCF’s Silver Anniversary Forum: A Celebration of Lives Changed

This year marks Northwest Children’s Fund’s 25th anniversary, and our Annual Forum on January 30 reminded us of how much we have to celebrate. Three of our Silver Anniversary Partners – Childhaven, Jumping Mouse Children’s Center, and YouthCare—shared their struggles and successes with the group. The emotionally charged discussion that ensued was an inspiring reminder of the perseverance, dedication, and collaboration it takes to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect—and the lasting, healing impact we can have on children when we take the time to acknowledge their achievements and show we care.

For Childhaven, support from NWCF has helped this remarkable organization provide therapeutic daycare to children at risk for or suffering from abuse and neglect. Twenty-year-old Aleesha, a graduate who attended Childhaven from ages one to five, remembers her “happiest childhood memories took place at Childhaven.” Childhaven provided structure and support—a sharp contrast to her chaotic home environment—during a critical developmental time. Her life after Childhaven was at times tumultuous, but the care and compassion she received at Childhaven gave her the solid foundation she needed to weather adolescence, and grow into a young woman focused on the future, and eager to help others.

For Jumping Mouse Children’s Center, NWCF has been a trusted partner from the beginning. This small, Port Townsend-based organization provides expressive mental health therapy to children who have been traumatized by domestic violence or abuse. It takes time and patience to gain a child’s trust and convince him/her that it’s safe to share painful experiences. Jumping Mouse is grateful to NWCF for taking a genuine interest in their important work, and providing the organization with the stability of multi-year funding so that they can look ahead and help even more children find hope through healing.

For YouthCare, NWCF has always been an important advocate. YouthCare provides shelter and life-changing services designed to help homeless youth exit street life. For 18-year-old Diane, YouthCare provided support during her darkest, loneliest hours. “They had my back,” she recalls. They cared for her in a true, authentic way and acknowledged her strengths—something no one had ever done for her before. She now works as a receptionist and plans for a future in child advocacy. “You may not see the impact you have on young people, but you do.”

In addition to our youth speakers, Diane and Aleesha, we want to acknowledge a heartfelt thank you to our Partner representatives for sharing the compelling work they undertake on behalf of abused and neglected children: Debra Ronnholm, Childhaven President; Dott Kelly, Founder and Clinical Director, and MaryAnn Seward, Executive Director from Jumping Mouse; and Melinda Giovengo, Executive Director of YouthCare.

Youth speakers Diane Jordan of YouthCare and Aleesha Lysen of Childhaven spoke poignantly about their childhood experiences (from left to right).

“At YouthCare, my accomplishments were a big deal. When I got my GED, they threw me a party. Finally, somebody cared.” Diane Jordan

AmaraAtlantic Street CenterBoys & Girls Clubs of King CountyChildhavenDeaconess Children’s ServicesDomestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN)First Place

Girl Scouts of Western Washington: Fostering A Future Helping Hand HouseHousing Hope Jumping Mouse Children’s CenterKindering CenterLutheran Community ServicesMary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center: Parenting PartnershipThe Mockingbird SocietyParent Trust for Washington ChildrenPediatric Interim Care CenterRyther Child CenterSafeFutures Youth CenterSeattle Children’s HomeSolid GroundTreehouseWellspring Family ServicesYouth Tutoring Program - CCSYouthCare

Silver Anniversary Partners recognizing their long and significant partnership in the fight against child abuse and neglect.

In celebration of 25 years of connecting our community to children in need,

Northwest Children’s Fundhas designated 25 past grant recipients as

NORTHWESTCHILDREN'S FUND2100 24th Avenue SouthSuite 320Seattle, Washington 98144T: 206/682-8447F: 206/682-8173www.nwcf.org

E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R

Victoria Peattie Helm

P R E S I D E N T

Robert Fries

P R E S I D E N T S - E L E C T

Yenii Chen DexNicole Mortati Chang

S E C R E TA R Y

Trisa J. Clemons

T R E A S U R E R

Lori Leff Mueller

B O A R D M E M B E R S

Charles Billington Judy S. BloomCaryn A. BuckLaura CantrellJeffrey A. ChristiansonDebra D. DahlenJane DavisJim DebooKatie DriscollMonica FixAlicia Hall GoldLisa Kjaer-SchadeAnn Montgomery LokeyRob Maguire Janet MeadMary Fellows NelsonScott PeiperJohn Poli Michelle RaymondValerie RobinsonScot RogersPatricia Lee SmithBarbara TurnerDavid W. Williams

C H A I R , A D V I S O R Y C O U N C I L

Mary Ketcham Kerr

TA X I D # : 9 1 - 1 3 1 4 3 1 8

Serve Your Community While Being Served At A Celebrated Chefs Restaurant

Imagine supporting Northwest Children’s Fund all year long simply by dining out at fabulous restaurants like Seastar, Cactus, and Purple Wine Bar. Through Celebrated Chefs, an innovative dining program, 5% of your dining bill can automatically be donated back to Northwest Children’s Fund! You lend valuable support simply by dining at the area's best restaurants.

The program is free. All you need do is enroll any any of your existing Visa, MasterCard or American Express cards, then dine at any Celebrated Chefs restaurant. Pay your dining bill with the card you enrolled and the restaurant will donate 5% of your bill to NWCF! It’s seamless and automatic, no need to show a special card. The process works just like getting airline miles for using your credit card.

Call Kelly Lynch at 206-407-2161 to enroll. A Celebrated Chefs cookbook, your guide to the 70+ participating restaurants, is free with your subscription. You may also subscribe online at celebratedchefs.com.

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NORTHWEST CHILDREN’S FUND GRANT RECIPIENTS - Winter 2010 This winter, NWCF distributed $346,250 to area organizations working to end the cycle of child abuse and neglect. On behalf of NWCF and the hardworking grant recipients below, thank you for investing in our community's children.

HEALING ABUSED CHILDREN by providing them with support, treatment and counseling.

Bethany Christian Services $7,900Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services $5,600Family Law CASA $9,200Hopesparks $9,600Kindering Center $8,000The Mockingbird Society $11,000Northwest Adoption Exchange $10,200Northwest Immigrant Rights Project $10,200Secret Harbor $9,200Youth Eastside Services $6,900

HELPING AT-RISK YOUTH by providing opportunities for them to fulfill their potential.

Communities in Schools of Orting $14,000Island County Readiness to Learn $12,000ROOTS $5,000SafeFutures Youth Center $15,000Seattle Children's Home $10,000Seattle Education Access $8,000University District Youth Center - CCS $5,000University Street Ministry $7,000Youth Tutoring Program - CCS $10,000YouthCare $12,000

SUPPORTING FRAGILE FAMILIES to ensure that children have safe, healthy home lives.

Boys & Girls Clubs of King County $6,000Cocoon House $6,900Deaconess Children's Services $5,000Domestic Abuse Women's Network $30,000Encompass $7,500Family Education & Support Services $10,000Healthy Start Kitsap $13,000HomeStep $10,000Housing Hope $8,050Parent Trust $30,000Rochester Organization of Families $15,000Shared Housing Services $4,000Vine Maple Place $5,000Wellspring Family Services $10,000

2010 NWCF Silver Anniversary Golf Classic

Presented by F5 Networks

Please plan on joining us for a terrific afternoon of golf benefiting our community’s most vulnerable children.For information about participation or corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jeff Christianson at 206-272-6462 or the NWCF office.

Friday, September 17, 2010The Golf Club at Redmond RidgeMark your calendar!

Child welfare in Washington:

• Achildisbornintopovertyevery36minutes.• Achildisabusedorneglectedeveryhour.• Achilddiesbeforehisorherfirstbirthday every 21 hours. • 7,294childrenarevictimsofabuse and neglect.• 10,457childrenareinfostercare.• 1,196childrenareadoptedfromfostercare.

Source: Prevent Child Abuse America

“Northwest Children’s Fund focuses on ending the cycle of child abuse and neglect and bringing hope and compassion to children in need. They effectively distribute funds among hundreds of social service agencies, thus positively impacting thousands of lives. Northwest Children’s Fund has helped to improve the state of child welfare in our community.”

– Northwest Adoption Exchange

Help NWCF go green by signing up to receive our newsletter and updates electronically. Send an email to: klynch@nwcf.org.

Non-Profit Org.

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Seattle, WA

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ConneCting our Community with Children in need

2100 24th Avenue SouthSuite 320Seattle, Washington 98144

Gala SponsorsBENEFACTORS

The Boeing Company

Flying Spot Entertainment

Fremont Studios

LEADERS

Columbia Bank

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

KPMG

Runde & Co. LLC

Seattle Foundation

Wells Fargo

DESIGN & PRINT SPONSORS

Compact Information Systems

Gina Tolentino

Washington Graphics

PREMIER WINE SPONSORS

Brian Carter Cellars

Fidélitas Wines

Northwest Totem Cellars

Reininger Winery

Join us as we celebrate our community's remarkable spirit of giving and the fragile children whose lives it has transformed.

May 8, 2010 - 5:30 p.m. Fremont Studios

WineTasting SilentandLiveAuctions Dinner&Dancing

CHECK OUT THESE EXCITING AUCTION ITEMS!

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Anniversary Gala