CHILDNET
NEWS
Helping Vulnerable Children & Families
CHILDNET REVIVES FESTIVAL WITH A BRAND
NEW LOOK AND MORE!
On Sunday September 28, ChildNet held its first annual
Family Festival. It was loosely modeled after the ChildNet/
Long Beach Youth Home Boosters’ Festival of Chefs, which
was a staple in the community for 28 years. The Festival
included many new features while remaining true to eventgoers love of tastes from some of their favorite local casual
eateries. More than 200 people attended earning $30,000!
“It was a great day,” said ChildNet President & CEO
Kathy Hughes. “Thanks to the hard work on the part of our
enthusiast staff, we were able to increase awareness of our
ChildNet programs. We wanted the Long Beach community to know that we served more than 7,500
individuals last year and continue to provide
an array of quality programs and services
to the most vulnerable children and families
referred to us for much-needed help.
There was a very well-received classic car
show that featured more than 30 vintage
cars, with a cadre of owners from all over
Greater Long Beach.
Food vendors included The Grand Food &
Beverage, Critic’s Choice Catering, Callaloo
Caribbean Kitchen, Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria,
Casa Sanchez, Corner Bakery and Cookies
by Design, to name a few.
Geebo the clown creates animal balloons
for the kids.
For nearly 45 years, ChildNet Youth
& Family Services has provided safe
homes, education and counseling
The kids loved Geebo the Clown and his
to vulnerable children and families.
magic show as well as all of the balloon
We have grown from an organization
animals he created for them. The adults
that provided residential care for 40
rocked on the dance floor to Andy & Renee
Vintage car nearly 80 years old!
adolescent boys (Long Beach Youth
with the Hard Rain band whose renditions of
Home) to a multi-service agency
the ’70s-themed classic songs were a real crowd pleaser.
offering Adoption Services, Foster Care, Behavioral
And everyone loved the Sparkle Photo booth!
Health Services, Therapeutic Behavioral
Major Sponsors of the event were DerManouel Insurance
Support (TBS), Family Support Services
Services, Hays Companies, The Grand Food & Beverage,
(Wraparound) and Special Education
Norm Wilson & Sons General Contractors, Mason InsurServices (Zinsmeyer Academy).
ance Services, and Touch of Travel. In addition, we are
very grateful to those who purchased tables – we sold out!
ChildNet News Winter/Spring 2015 • ChildNet Youth and Family Services • www.ChildNet.net
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Message from the President/
Chief Executive Officer:
On behalf of the ChildNet Board of Directors, our dedicated
staff and the thousands of children and families served, I
want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you who
have faithfully supported our mission throughout the year.
ChildNet provided safe homes, education and counseling
to more than 7,500 individuals in 2014! Through our growing Continuum of Care, our agency remains a leader in the
delivery of quality Foster Care & Adoption Services, Special
Education, Behavioral Health and Family Support Services.
Although the holiday season can often be an especially
difficult time for many of the children and families we serve,
the numerous toy donations we received this year helped
to make the season bright and put smiles on the faces of
thousands of children!
We had such a fantastic response to our holiday drive that
not only did the children receive amazing gifts, but many of
the families received a beautiful Christmas tree as well! We
are so grateful for your generosity!
One very special example of the giving spirit occurred
when Monica Quiñones (ChildNet’s Chief Operations
Officer) and her husband Carlos asked their two young
children how they would like to celebrate the holiday this
year. After giving it some thought, they decided they wanted
to collect toys for foster children! Instead of telling their
parents what they wanted for
themselves, they wanted to
GIVE to others. Wow! They
immediately made a big poster
that read, “Sophia and Mateo’s
Toy Drive” and they went door
to door in their neighborhood
Kathy Hughes, President/CEO
asking for donations. After
collecting as much money as they could, and after emptying their own piggy banks, their parents took them to the
toy district in downtown Los Angeles to shop. Sophia and
Mateo spent the day picking out only the best toys for the
foster kids! It was such a joy to see their excitement as they
brought in all the bags of toys! Due to the efforts of these
two very special Quiñones children, numerous foster youth
received a special surprise under the tree on Christmas
morning. Thank you Sophia and Mateo for reminding all of
us what the holiday season is truly about!
Happy and prosperous 2015 to one and all from the
Board and staff of ChildNet. We thank you for being our
friends and supporters.
Sophia and Mateo Quiñones
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ChildNet News Winter/Spring 2015 • ChildNet Youth and Family Services • www.ChildNet.net
A Donor’s Holiday Story
by Robert R., Long Beach, CA
My mother was an orphan at the Fairmount Children’s Home in Ohio
from the time she was a baby (the Great Depression) until she graduated from high school. Though she doesn’t like to talk about her time
there, she once revealed how painful it was at times during certain
milestones throughout the years. Graduations, birthdays, holidays and
other events created a sense of being alone in the world. I can say that
I don’t think that sense of emptiness has ever been resolved within her.
By chance, I happened to go to the Circle Marina car wash and saw
the ChildNet tree. I was compelled to participate. I was spiritually
moved by being able to give. Knowing that perhaps one child may
have those same feelings and with grace of the heavens above, a gift
could change a child’s emotional /spiritual course. One tag became
three and then that became ten. How could I not? I then happened
to be at IKEA and they were making donations to UNICEF for every
stuffed animal purchased. I purchased 15 stuffed animals, put them in
a large bag and dropped them off at the car wash for any child who’s
tag had not been taken from the tree.
When I had finished and dropped everything off, I called my mother
who is now 82 years old and let her know what I had done. Let’s just
say, this was one of the best gifts I have ever given her in my lifetime!
Editor’ note: That was his story in 2013. It didn’t end there. In 2014
he called ChildNet directly and asked for the wish lists of 20 children
and fulfilled some wishes of all of them! Surely his mother is very, very
proud of him . . . so are we!
The 2014
Holiday Gift
Solicitation
Committee
On behalf of
the children we
serve, THANK
YOU to all of
our supporters during the
Holidays and
all year round!
We appreciate
each and every
one of you.
Top: Tag from WIsh List tree. Above: Holiday Gift Solicitation Committee. Fran MacLain (front), Eileen Factor (second
row, left), Anita Anglin (second row, right), Brett Lewis (back row, left), Robert Reilly (back row, right).
ChildNet News Winter/Spring 2015 • ChildNet Youth and Family Services • www.ChildNet.net
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Donors
MAJOR DONORS
July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2014
Linda & Robert Bresnan
Vernon Broker
Alamitos Bay Garden Club
Ken Buck
Berry Petroleum
James Butora
Bess J. Hodges Foundation
Beverly Butters
DelRe Foundation
Dale Carey
Der Manouel Insurance &
Finance
Joan & Louis Cassani
Gloria & The Hon. George
Shane Cherry
Deukmejian
Childrens Empowerment
Janet Eaton
Network
Employees Community Fund
Marcelita Cobian
of Boeing California
Sharon & William Coleman
Carla & Stuart Gordon
Chris Conway
LA County Supervisor
Cookies by Design
Don Knabe
Judith A. Crumpton
Hays Companies
Gloria Culpepper
Tara & Michael Julian
Yolanda Cussen
Linn Energy
Lisa & Michael Deaderick
Long Beach Community
Robert Di Stefano
Foundation
diPiazza Restaurant
Norm Wilson & Sons, Inc.
Dive Works Diving Service
R.H. Mason Insurance Services Raymond R. Downing
Edna & Paul Schumacher
Suzanne & Gordon Dudley
Marlene Temple
Leeann & Carl Ekstrom
Amy Ekstrom
SPECIAL FRIENDS
Nancy & Donald Eriksen
Therese Accinelli
Sandra & Gerald Facon
June V. Adams
Eileen Factor
Jane G. Affonso
Robert E. Falk
Kim Alarcon
Wendy & Cliff Fies
Faye & Robert Alperin
Ken Fisher
Barbara Alpert
Nancy & Ronald Frank
American Business Bank
Rick French
Pat & Phil Appleby
Robin Fried
David Armes
Diana Garcia
Robert Armstrong
Mary Claire Garrity
Cindy & Thomas Baker
Sharyn & Walter Gertz
Debra & Darwin Barrad
Cherrie Gibbs
Pat & Walt Bausman
Goals for Life Foundation
Virginia Baxter
Jeri & David Goldstein
Beach Ventures Enterprises
Edith Gould
Robert Beaman
Greecian Pools, Inc.
Sandra & Howard Behar
Sandra & Allan Greenberg
Jason Block
Melissa & Steve Guillen
Boutwell Fay LLP
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Vicki Hamren
Ken Hanson
Marla Harrelson
Zacarias Hay
Nancy & C. Hegelheimer
Melanie & James Hogrebe
Mari Hooper
Kathy Hughes
Rob Inderrieden
Cherie Jeffries
Richard Jeffries
Sonia Johnson
Kardent
Kiwanis Club of Long Beach
Cheryl & Daniel Krueger
Eric Kupfer
L.B. Firefighters Honorary
Association
Laborers’ International Union
Laurie & Mike Laos
Karen & Dwayne Larson
Linda & Gene Lassers
Lathrop & Gage LLP
Shannon Leahy
Lynn A. Leicht
Judi & Gordon Lentzner
Bill Lesiy
Linda & Thomas Lewis
Anthony Lopilato
Crystal & Roderick MacDonell
Lindsey Marks
Mike McCarthy
Anne & Gary McClaflin
Janet & Michael McDermott
Alex Mendoza
Donna & Gregory Merkle
Jean Merle
Pamela & Michael Mundy
Sandra Nash
Alfredo Navarro
Cora & Robert Nichols
Assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell
The Hon. Beverly O’Neill
Susan & Philip Osterlind
Robert Pando
Val Parker
Paycom Payroll LLC
Kathleen & Robert Payne
PG&E Corporation
Lyn & John Pohlmann
Preferred Family Care
Physicians
Tony Printy
Christine Purcell
Qdoxs
Monica & Carlos Quiñones
Rosa Ramirez
Phil Ramsdale
Donella & Norman Rasmussen
RD Reilly & Associates, Inc.
Debbie & Robert Reilly
Janette Reynolds
Richmond Plastering, Inc.
Patrick Richmond
Madison Rooney
Shelley Rooney
Glenda & James Roop
Peter Rosenwald
Misty Ryman
Stephanie Schneider-Printy
Patricia & Richard Schnetzer
Alan M. Sherry
James Slama
Barbara & Thomas Slowey
Lisa Smock
Soma Futures, LLC
Stonatto Development
Company
Emilio Sosa
Phyllis Spear
Erin Spencer
Lorie Stack
Robert Stack
Strategic Pension Services, Inc.
Susan & Mort Stuhlbarg
Renee & Patrick Summar
Julie & Henry Taboada
The Harrington Group
ChildNet News Winter/Spring 2015 • ChildNet Youth and Family Services • www.ChildNet.net
Donors
The Winnick Family Foundation
Veronica Thong
Francine Togneri
Truist Comprehensive
Distribution
Judith & Leo Vander Lans
Nicole & Michael Vasile
Mary & Jeffrey Walker
Patricia & Richard Walker
Carol Walters
Joanne Ward-Burcham
Jan Ward
Claire E. Westmore
Leonard William
Rod Wilson
Susan Yates
Cynthia Martin
Charis Franz
Wynona Grand
Kimberly Greenwood
Susan Griffith
Marisol Gutierrez
Hangar 18, Long Beach
Frances Harris
Joanna Hernandez
Home Town Buffet
Christina Jacobs
Catherine Jones
Jeanne & Michael Kataoka
Kings Hawaiian Bakery
Kiwanis Club of Long Beach
Eric Kohn
Long Beach Camerata Singers
IN-KIND-DONORS
Long Beach Memorial
Action Point
Medical Center
Advance Beverage Company
Los Angeles Dodgers
Marisel & Karl Agnes
Summer Manaway
Pat & Phil Appleby
Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ
David Armes
Miki Markusen
As One, Inc.
Gina Martin
Assistance League of Temecula
Mission Grove Theater
Courtney Benema
Mulligan Family Fun Center
Jalen Black-Polemarch
Naples Rib Company
Brunswick Recreation Center
National Pajama and Book
Café Lorel
Distribution
Callaway Vineyard Winery
Neutral Grounds Gracie JiuJitsu
Carters Pajama Program
New Horizons Elementary
Cedars-Sinai Billing Department School
Cheesecake Factory
Matt Norris
Circle Marina Hand Car Wash
Bonnie & George Novak
CMS Construction
Vicky Ojerio
Costco Wholesale / Signal Hill
On Deck
Sharon Crabill
Orange County Fair/Friends
Crooked Duck
of the Fair
Elaine Curran
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Delancy Street Foundation
Shelley Padilla
Rob Damico
Richard Paulson
Echo Global Logistics
Performance Plus Tire
Fidler Street Neighbors
Mateo Quiñones
Sophia Quiñones
Carla & Rob Raney
Donella & Norman Rasmussen
Debbie & Robert Reilly
ReMax Real Estate Specialists
Robert Rinehart
Roller City Skating Rink
Round 1 Bowling &
Entertainment
Scandia Amusement Park
Amy Schallman
Seaside Printing Co., Inc.
Shakey’s Pizza
Barbara & Thomas Slowey
Emilio Sosa
Southern California Edison
Spark of Love - Long Beach
Fire Department
Stonatto Development Co.
Debbie & Steve Stuver
Erin Taber
The Greater Los Angeles
African American Chamber
of Commerce
The Middleman Merchandise
The Village
Edward Turner
Irene Turner
Diane & Art Villar
If you have made a
donation to ChildNet
between July 1, 2013 and
December 31, 2014 and are
either not included on these
lists and/or did not receive
an acknowledgement,
please call or email Eileen
Factor at 562-498-5252,
[email protected].
Now that we are into the
new year, tax time is right
around the corner. Uncle
Sam encourages charitable
giving by providing some
significant tax benefits when
you make a gift to a qualified
nonprofit like ChildNet.
For example, if you give
a CASH gift of $1,000, it
will actually only cost you
$720, assuming you are in
a 28% marginal tax bracket.
A $1,500 gift would cost
$1,080.; $2,000, $1,440;
$2,500, $1,800; and $5,000,
$3,600. A $10,000 gift would
cost you $7,200, which would
save you $2,800.
You can also provide for
ChildNet through an INSURANCE POLICY. This can be
an extremely cost-effective
way of providing a very
significant gift to ChildNet, at
a very low annual cost. If you
make ChildNet the owner of a
policy, your annual premium
is tax deductible.
A gift of SECURITIES OR
APPRECIATED REAL ESTATE
can be highly advantageous,
since, in many cases, you
avoid capital gains taxes and
receive a deduction based on
the appreciated value, not on
the purchase price.
You can give an interest
in a home or rental property
while retaining full use of the
property during your own
and a beneficiary’s lifetimes.
Depending on your age and
the age of your beneficiary,
the tax benefits can be
quite substantial.
For more information about
any of these options, please
contact Eileen Factor.
Thank you one and all!
ChildNet News Winter/Spring 2015 • ChildNet Youth and Family Services • www.ChildNet.net
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In His Own Words
by Robert Reilly
On September 1, 1988, I arrived at ChildNet (known as
Long Beach Youth Center prior to 1998). The local school
district was having difficulty serving the children that resided
in the Long Beach Youth Home because of the combination
of learning disabilities and mental health issues that were
becoming more apparent with this population. The organization was intent on creating an alternative education environment for these youth so I was hired to provide assistance.
During my first year with the Youth Home, I served as a
family therapist providing group and individual family
counseling for the residents.
In 1989, we began the earnest process of applying for
state certification to open a nonpublic school. This project
included remodeling the property on Anaheim Street for
use as a school, processing application paperwork with the
state department of education, and meeting with our local
school district for advice and direction.
In 1990, the Long Beach Youth Home School was
officially opened for Youth Home residents. And by 1993,
the local school district began sending community students
that were in need of a more individualized and structured
educational setting.
During the following
years, community friends
donated generously to the
school so that upgrades
and more classrooms
could be added to the
growing student population. In 1996, in honor
of Daris Zinsmeyer, the
school was renamed the
Zinsmeyer Academy to recognize her financial support
to the school.
Alan Lowenthal presented Robert
Reilly with a certificate of appreciation
for 25 years of service with ChildNet.
Robert also received one from
Bonnie Lowenthal.
Over the next decade, the academy became the preferred
nonpublic school for many public school districts that were
seeking placements for students that were in need of a
different level of service. The academy also became one
of the first nonpublic schools in California to be fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges
(WASC) further enhancing its excellent reputation with its
public school partners.
I remained the principal of the academy through 2007
at which time I focused my efforts on expanding the
academy’s and ChildNet’s mission throughout the state as
the Director of Community Relations.
A quick way to sum up my 25-year experience with ChildNet – it was time very well spent! Zinsmeyer Academy is
one of the premier nonpublic schools in the state that local
school districts know is a safe and well-managed school
where they can send students in need of extra services.
In addition, we have a long, positive relationship with the
California State Senate and Assembly due to ongoing
communications and visits through my Board membership
with CAPSES (California Association of Private Special
Education Schools). The Kiwanis Club of Long Beach,
through my membership, has been a generous donor to
ChildNet not only as a club, but also through its contacts with
other community philanthropists. And, the East Anaheim
Street Business Association (EASBA) has been a generous
supporter. ChildNet was the recipient of the proceeds from
their first annual Walk-a-thon in 2013.
ChildNet hosted the EASBA February mixer and farewell to Robert Reilly.
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And last but not least, I am grateful for my association
with ChildNet where I met my wife Debbie in November of
1988, for my ability to complete a doctoral degree, for
having developed lifelong friendships and professional
associations, and for providing me with the best retirement
event ever!
ChildNet News Winter/Spring 2015 • ChildNet Youth and Family Services • www.ChildNet.net
EASBA First Annual Walk-A-Thon
Through his association with the East Anaheim Street Business Association (EASBA), Bob Reilly was
instrumental in ChildNet being selected the recipient of proceeds from the group’s First Annual Walk-aThon in 2013. The turnout was great, especially for a first-time event. Many members of ChildNet’s staff
(L to R) Bob Reilly, Kathy Hughes,
participated . . . and truly – a fun time was had by all!
Rod Wilson, EASBA president and
co-organizer of the walk.
The Zinsmeyer Fine Arts Program
The Art Program is a key component of the specialized
curriculum provided at ChildNet’s Zinsmeyer Academy. The
equipment and supplies, which were partially funded by Los
Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe’s Arts Education
Partnership Program has significantly enhanced student
learning and has made a positive impact on the lives of the
many vulnerable youth we serve.
For example, the use of smart boards allows students to
engage in an interactive process, which improves their attention span and serves to expand their artist skills as well.
The various features of the equipment allows the Instructor
to project the assignments clearly for the class, allows students to zoom in for a more detailed critique when desired,
allows them to showcase their work and enhances the
overall learning experience. The quality of the arts instruction has improved with the use of smart boards due to the
ability to design step-by-step drawing instruction and further
exploration of various types of art.
Built around a carefully planned series of activities, the
Art Program curriculum teaches and reinforces essential
life skills in addition to structured
art projects. Students learn to work
within a group, acquiring helpful behaviors and learning to
trust others as well as increasing artistic skills and artistic
expression. The program is outcome-based and geared
toward students’ specific needs, interests and abilities. The
treatment objectives are measured and monitored individually and can include delay of gratification, impulse control,
project completion skills, patience, fine motor skills attained,
recognizing the need for requesting assistance, waiting
one’s turn, negotiation skills, lowering levels of frustration,
increased tolerance, trust and interpersonal skills with adults
and peers, etc. The activities help to improve verbal/nonverbal communication, team work, peer and adult interactions,
social skills, personal responsibility and self-discipline. Each
lesson plan includes group discussion and/or the opportunity for the individual to learn more about and practice
art techniques, while learning more about him/herself as
an individual and as part of a group. One example is the
Animation Cell Project where students learn the process of
creating an animated feature and participate in creating a
piece of animation. Students learn to work with a variety of
art materials including pencils, animation cells, animation
paint, markers, paint brushes, canvas, acrylic paint, graphite
paper and more.
The photos are holiday
cards created by students
at Zinsmeyer. A competition
was held to select ChildNet’s Holiday card last year.
These were the winners,
although the consensus
of the judges, which
included Board Chairman Lou Cassani,
was that all of the entries
were fabulous!
Robert Reilly, former
Zinsmeyer Academy principal,
gives motivating keynote
address at Zinsmeyer’s
graduation ceremony in
June 2014.
ChildNet News Winter/Spring 2015 • ChildNet Youth and Family Services • www.ChildNet.net
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Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Long Beach, CA
Permit No. 2222
ChildNet Youth & Family Services
4155 Outer Traffic Circle
Long Beach, CA. 90804-2111
Address Service Requested
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman, Lou Cassani
Vice Chair, Randy Wilson
Secretary, Don Trojan
Treasurer, Gordon Lentzner
BOARD MEMBERS
Robert Alperin
Robert Armstrong
Jim Choura
Mike Deaderick
Dr. Erainia Freeman
Stephen E. Gordon
Braden Phillips
Phil Ramsdale
Tim Richmond
OFFICERS
Kathy Hughes, President/CEO
Allan Greenberg, CFO
Monica Andrea Quiñones, COO
Visit our website at www.childnet.net to keep up-to-date on the happenings at ChildNet!
Providing safe homes, education and counseling to vulnerable children and families
Mother and son picking out a tree for
their family donated by the
Delancey Street Foundation.
Santa and his helpers waiting to hear the
wishes of the Zinsmeyer students!
Santa and his helpers arrive on
his sleigh.
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ChildNet News Winter/Spring 2015 • ChildNet Youth and Family Services • www.ChildNet.net