ORANGE, Calif., May 4, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canyon Acres Children and Family Services, a Southern California charity organization committed to providing homes, care, treatment and supportive services for abused, neglected and emotionally troubled children and their families, today announced that 2010 marks 30 years of service to the community. Canyon Acres considers the milestone an opportunity to intensify its existing programs and to more aggressively pursue the innovation in treatment responsible for its distinguished history of stability and growth.
"In 30 years, Canyon Acres has restored hope, love and care to thousands of children in Southern California," said Clete Menke, President of Canyon Acres. "We are fortunate to have some of the world's finest child welfare and mental health professionals on staff. We also have exceptionally generous individual and corporate donors who, together with our volunteers, replenish a sense of community to those families who are lacking. And finally, we have outstanding board leadership that is dedicated to the agency's continued success. I look forward to another 30 years of pioneering work to end multi-generational cycles of abuse and to give every child a brighter future."
Canyon Acres' success is largely based on breakthrough programs such as Wraparound and Creating Family Connections (CFC). Wraparound literally helps struggling and at-risk families become "wrapped" by a team of professionals and supportive services, ensuring all children are provided the opportunity to live in safe, stable and healthy homes. CFC searches for and engages long-lost family members of children who otherwise have none, offering a connection that gives children a sense of belonging and hope. CFC finds an average of 12 new family members per child and, since its inception, has helped more than 250 children make over 1600 family connections.
Dedication of individual donors has also contributed to the agency's longevity. To reinforce this foundation, Canyon Acres recently launched the Forever Kids Club (FKC) endowment building program. Donors can become FKC members by making an outright gift to the endowment fund or by including Canyon Acres in their will or estate plan. Through 2010, Canyon Acres will consider anyone who makes a gift to the endowment or includes Canyon Acres in their estate plan a 'Founding Member' of the club. Within five years, the agency aims to welcome at least 150 new members and to raise nine million dollars.
Canyon Acres kicked off the anniversary celebrations at an agency open house last fall. Celebration plans also include April's Blue Ribbon Awareness Campaign for National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the 25th Annual Par Fore Kids Golf Classic in August, and numerous other events sponsored by supporters throughout the year. The highlight of the anniversary year will be the Blue Ribbon Gala, taking place May 15 at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. The Blue Ribbon Gala is the agency's largest annual fundraiser. This year's event will include the public premiere of a new video discussing the agency's phenomenal 30-year history and the importance of its work.
For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.canyonacres.org.
ABOUT CANYON ACRES
Canyon Acres Children and Family Services has been serving children throughout Southern California since 1980 providing the highest level of care and therapeutic treatment to children who suffer from a variety of emotional and psychological disorders. Canyon Acres gives children nurturing, treatment, and opportunities that they need to grow up in safe, loving, and stable families. For more information about Canyon Acres Children and Family Services, contact Bock Communications at +1-714-540-1030 or canyonacres@bockpr.com or visit the Canyon Acres Children and Family Services web site at www.canyonacres.org.