Every Child Deserves a Chance

Supporting a bright future for our youngest community members.

As the holiday season nears, our thoughts turn toward the holly and the jolly. It’s easy to overlook the abuse of innocent people that’s happening all around us. But facing hard facts is the first step in preventing family violence.

Children are suffering from an epidemic of child abuse and neglect, and organizations like Richstone Family Center work tirelessly to improve the statistics. Did you know that an instance of child abuse is reported every 10 seconds? According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, an average of five children die every day as a result of child abuse.

A Haven for the Community

Since 1974, Richstone Family Center has provided mental health treatment, educational programs and community empowerment in Los Angeles County with the goals of eliminating trauma, strengthening and educating families, and preventing violence in homes, schools and communities. The organization provides a safe haven through an array of services, including individual and family therapy, afterschool offerings, support groups, youth empowerment and social skills groups, early childhood intervention and parenting classes, weekly food distribution and home visitations.

Founded as a child abuse treatment organization, Richstone Family Center has grown into a beacon of positive change for countless people. In the early days, Richstone served 70 families from a small home with a chinchilla farm out back. Five decades later, the organization operates from a 12,000-square-foot center, providing assistance to more than 3,400 children and families each year.

Richstone’s therapy programs help survivors transition out of crisis and down a path of healing, building coping skills and long-term resilience. Online educational sessions include topics such as stress management and support groups for survivors of violence. Through activities like Kids Club and Parents as Teachers, Richstone develops healthy, enriching environments in which children and families can thrive.

“Richstone centers its work around promoting the safety, well-being and positive growth of children,” says development director Allison Tanaka. “Every child deserves a chance at a bright future.”

The nonprofit was founded on the belief that no one experiencing violence in the home should be turned away. Richstone provides care to underserved, marginalized and at-risk populations—families that may be unable to afford the costs of services offered elsewhere. Without Richstone, these community members may not receive the treatment they desperately need.

“We believe that constraints in treatment length or modality will limit long-term success, so clients can remain in therapy until mutually agreed-upon goals have been achieved,” Allison says. “With the help of the community, we can expand our reach and connect with more families to provide them support when they need it most.”

Standing Together

Over the decades, thousands of volunteers and donors have become an integral part of the Richstone team to contribute to a world of healing. This time of year, every donation—big or small—makes a meaningful impact and helps Richstone with its annual Thanksgiving Basket and Operation Santa.

“The joy and gratitude emanating from the families we served last holiday season are a testament to the power of community and compassion,” says Roger Van Remmen, Richstone’s president/CEO. “Through the community’s generosity, we’ve provided tangible support and created hopeful memories and joyful moments for those in need.”

Throughout the year, volunteer opportunities are available for individuals, groups and corporations. Individuals may tutor or mentor via the Kids Club. They may help with administrative work and events, or collect and sort donations and food. Groups can help with the backpack campaign, food pantry and holiday fundraising events. Companies can get involved with Richstone Family Center as a corporate partner—providing gifts-in-kind, participating in volunteer projects and sponsoring events.

Whether it’s through donations of time, talent, funds, feedback or resources, community donors make Richstone’s work possible. This effort by South Bay locals also sends a powerful message of support and compassion to the struggling families served by Richstone—letting them know they are not alone and that a caring community stands with them during difficult times.

Looking Forward

As Richstone Family Center celebrates its 50th anniversary of mending hearts and preventing child abuse and domestic violence in the South Bay and beyond, it looks forward to the next 50 years of efforts to make the community safer. Future plans include nurturing healers and counselors through advanced training and mentorship programs; expanding the organization’s staff to ensure every individual receives the care and attention they deserve; enhancing the mental health of community members; strengthening collaborations with school, government and community partners to generate comprehensive solutions; and strengthening families by fostering protective factors like parental resilience and social connections.

Richstone Family Center’s vision is to make this world a better place by creating meaningful change through collective action. By educating ourselves, supporting those in need and speaking out openly, we can help end the stigma and shame that burden survivors so we can be part of the solution. The greatest gift we can give is to learn more about how to help.