A recent Inland Empire Community Foundation grant through the Fred Stebler and Eva V. Stebler Foundation Fund allows Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert to enhance several vital programs the organization offers to Coachella Valley children.
“All around, the grant we are received is a huge impact on the different services we provide,” says Nick Rossi, Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert Senior Development Manager. “We’re very humbled and grateful for the opportunity because it helps us specifically with kids who are underserved, maybe facing homelessness, have severe disabilities, or any kind of mental handicap.”
Founded in Coachella Valley in 1987, the valiant nonprofit has long been dedicated to promoting, as Rossi notes, “the health, mobility, independence and social inclusion of special needs and disadvantaged children throughout the Coachella Valley.” It aims to help children experience the great joys of childhood and become as confident and independent as possible.
As just one chapter of more than 40 international charities sprung from Variety Children’s Charity, which originated in 1928, the local arm fuels one of the most comprehensive children’s charities in the world. Its main goal is to support children, regardless of ability or income, to actively engage in their communities and reach their full potential.
Outreach, an open invitation to volunteer opportunities, and special events filter in the process. In fact, pull out the 2025 calendars now. The fourth annual Women of Wonder Luncheon is set for Jan. 31, 2025. Think of it as a grand celebration of “extraordinary women” who have demonstrated dedication to improving the lives of others.
Another popular event, Tour de Palm Springs, takes place February 8, 2025. The one-to-three-mile walk welcomes all children and family members.
Meanwhile, the local chapter itself has several main programs: Freedom Program, Future Program, and Caring Connections.
“The Freedom Program helps us provide mobility equipment for children with mental or physical disabilities,” Rossi says. “It’s things that you might take for granted, like being able to sit at the dinner table with your family or just have the freedom of mobility to get around.”
Future Program specifically provides children with special needs and their families access to inclusive activities.
“We recently had an ice cream social at Mary Pickford is D’Place and some families told us they had never been to the movies as a family together,” Rossi says. “They’ve always been concerned about what they would do if their child acts up, is silly or disruptive during the movie. So, we had a screening that was inclusive to all our families who have children in any kind of range of disability.
“We wanted them to know they were in a safe place and that they could enjoy a movie as a family without judgment from other people,” he adds.
The Caring Connections Program also strengthens unity. Uniquely designed to offer developmental screenings for children ages 0 to 5, it establishes early detection to identify potential educational issues.
“We can then intervene and help before a child falls behind in school at those critical ages, Rossie notes, adding that the organization’s recently honed outreach program now allows them to help with several wraparound services and case management. Specifically with referrals to resources and support to caregivers to ensure a positive impact for children and the families they are serving.
The organization has also collaborated with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), which offers online training and certification programs to be designated as a Certified Autism Center (CAC). When staff members complete training and receive certification in best practices when helping autistic individuals, they can provide exceptional experiences to those they serve.
Certainly, the name Variety of the Desert sparks a positive response. The revered organization has long been a vital resource locally. However, Rossi notes that one misconception the nonprofit experiences may be the notion that it only serves children with disabilities.
“And that’s just not true,” he says. “We serve all children or families who are seeking assistance for various reasons, and we want to help in any way. Or we’ll definitely refer you to the local resources that we know who could help.”Learn more about Variety of the Desert at varietyofthedesert.org.
This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, October 2024.
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