It’s officially the first full week of summer, which means our summer camps are in action!
Katie Morrill, Program Director of our Family Wellness Center, was on KUSI News to share about our fun camps for children in grades 1-6. For more information and to register your child, click here.
Thank you to our community partner, National Foundation for Autism Research, for their support of our camps!
Last night will be an unforgettable experience for one of our teens who was invited by Chef Brian Malarkey and Chef Joe Magnanelli to help prep for the menu preview of Animae – the highly anticipated Asian inspired restaurant that will open in Downtown San Diego!
Moments like these are true examples of how our youth are experiencing the joys of childhood and a sense of hope for a brighter future regardless of their struggles. We’re fortunate for people in our community who make such life-changing impact on our youth, such as Chef Malarkey and Chef Magnanelli. Not only were they generous in creating an experience of joy for our teen, but they also donated proceeds from an auction item to our Culinary Program!
A big thank you to the Chefs, everyone from Animae and Herb & Wood, and our very own Tina Reyes-Magnanelli, who oversees our Culinary and Life Skills programs.
We’re very thankful to Bank of America for the various ways they support our efforts throughout the year! 
They recently awarded a $12,500 grant to support our Successful Transitions Program, which helps teens in our care to successfully transition into adulthood. Teens receive education and coaching, a personalized plan for success, and opportunities to apply critical life skills. Such skills include opening a bank account, creating a resume, applying for a job, preparing quick and healthy meals, taking public transportation and more.
We appreciate Bank of America for their long-standing partnership, and all that they do in our community to advance economic mobility!
Photos are in from our celebration, “Cherishing the Joys of Childhood”, under the phenomenal leadership of Honorary Chairs, Linda and Mel Katz! To view photos, click here.
Thank you to our event sponsors and committee, donors and friends, team members and youth who contributed to our record-breaking accomplishment of raising $400,000 net.
Our generous event sponsors: San Diego Gas and Electric, The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, McGriff Insurance Services, Southwest Airlines, City National Bank, Bank of America, Manpower San Diego, Dowling & Yahnke, HUB International Limited, Risk Placement Services Inc., The Stiefel Behner Charitable Fund, Umpqua Bank, Moss Adams, and Union Bank.
Our Academy Softball Team won the San Diego CAPSES League Softball Championship Game!
This marked the 18th consecutive championship game in the last 6 years for our Academy Athletics Program!
Coach Shawn Styer shared, “Great pitching and a solid defense allowed us to bring home the win. Our senior captains led by example by staying positive and encouraging throughout the whole game. Special thanks to Coach Sanchez and Principal Mcelroy for their support during the season. Thank you all for your dedication to healing the hearts and minds of the many youth that we serve. Go Panthers!”
Final score: 18-0
We appreciate our team members and their important efforts!
Mark Peres, a Parent Partner of our WrapWorks Program, was profiled in the National Alliance on Mental Illness in San Diego (NAMI San Diego) June Newsletter. Learn more about Mark and his great passion for helping families here.
“Being a Parent Partner for the San Diego Center for Children WrapWorks team is a chance to be part of lives of parents and indirectly to the lives of the youth in providing community resources and give emotional, educational, psychological, and out-of-the-box assistance supports that as a parent myself, was not made available. It is a great way to give back what life has taught us as parents, family members, community members, and individuals as well. I love my job and appreciate each and every parent and their families for allowing me as a Parent Partner and the WrapWorks team to join them on their journey for healing and success.” – Mark Peres
Graduation festivities kicked off today with an amazing breakfast for our 8th and 12th grade Academy students!
Such heartfelt things were expressed during breakfast, including from one student who shared, “Thank you for being helpful to all of us seniors. We wouldn’t have gotten here without your support, so thank you.”
Many congrats to our graduates for their perseverance and hard work. A special thank you to Academy parents for treating our 21 graduates to a memorable breakfast, and our staff for arranging such amazing decorations.
San Diego Gas & Electric has been a loyal partner of our efforts for many years. They recently held their 2nd Annual Kids Classic golf tournament and raised over $160,000 to benefit our efforts!
We thank SDG&E for their continued support in raising awareness and funds for mental health services. Thank you as well to all sponsors who helped put on this event including NV5, Reilly Financial Advisors, Kiewit, Asplundh Construction, and PAR Electrical Contractors, Inc.
This past year marked our 131st Anniversary as San Diego’s oldest children’s nonprofit – a legacy we are very proud of.
Our accomplishments would not have been made possible without the generous support from many corporate and community partners, donors, volunteers, and the unyielding expertise from our over 360 culturally and trauma-informed team members.
Enjoy reading our annual report highlighting this collective impact.
The vital work being done to support transition age youth as they take steps to becoming healthy, independent and productive young adults would not be possible without the contributions of our generous partners. We thank In-N-Out Burger and the In-n-Out Burger Foundation for the continued support of the Center for so many years and your commitment to helping children who have come from hurtful experiences and challenging circumstances, supporting their healing and nurturing hope for their future.
