Core Services
Realities For Children offers several programs and direct services for children who have suffered abuse, neglect or are at-risk.
Realities For Children offers six core services to the children we serve and our Partner Agencies:
Emergency Funding
Emergency Funding is provided for services and immediate needs for children who have been abused, neglected or at-risk, and are requested by Partner Agencies. This emergency resource is accessible when all other resources have been exhausted or are unavailable and is available within 60 minutes of the request, creating a true county-wide safety net so no child in need is forgotten.
Youth Activities and Special Programs
Youth Activities are organized, run and sponsored by Realities For Children every month to provide fun and sometimes therapeutic opportunities that can allow a child to be a child during a difficult time. Over 1,500 children attended these free monthly activities this past year that also provide food for all in attendance.
Special Programs that better the healing process and help break the cycle for a better tomorrow include: Keeping Dreams Alive, providing dream grants to encourage youth to follow their dreams of a better tomorrow, and the Triumph Awards, providing collegiate scholarships for youth emancipating from the system to pursue their dreams of higher education.
Keeping Dreams Alive Awards
(Even years)
Dedicated to inspiring young children still involved in the social services system to identify and follow their dreams. Children ages 8-14 are nominated by our Partner Agencies and asked what their dream is for the future, as well as for today. At the Gala, we grant their “today” dreams while encouraging them to believe in their future dreams.
Triumph Awards
(Odd years)
Honoring young adults who have triumphed over childhood adversity. These exceptional youth are nominated by our Partner Agencies and honored for not only surviving the hardships of abuse, but triumphing over them personally, socially and academically. Winners are not only recognized for their achievements, but provided opportunities for further education and post-emancipation support.
Triumph Awards Alumni
We understand that triumph and overcoming obstacles is a lifelong journey and we strive to be an ongoing support and connection for all our Triumph Awards Alumni. It is our hope to provide a lifelong heritage for each Triumph Award recipient to be proud of.
Community Awareness
Realities For Children is dedicated to educating our community about the problems of child abuse, local service organizations, and ways to be involved to help a child in need. Community awareness campaigns include print media, social media, premier events, website visibility, and two annual Partner Agency Expos.
Event Sponsorship
Realities For Children helps promote and sponsor Partner Agency fundraising events. Realities For Children each year helps sponsor over 20 Partner Agency events with a collective net return of over one million dollars. In 2022 we helped to raise a net of $1,714,352 at Partner Agency events.
Facilities Space
The Realities For Children Homebase Facility & Youth Activities Campus is a 4-acre, centrally located facility, park and playground that is easily accessible to our Partner Agencies and the youth we serve. The Homebase Campus hosts youth activities, item distributions and provides free facilities space to all Partner Agencies. In 2023, the Realities For Children Homebase Facility & Youth Activities Campus hosted 4,979 agency leaders, children, and guests of our Partner Agencies.
Item Distributions
Item Distributions are managed throughout the year based on specific youth needs, as they are requested on a case-by-case basis from our Partner Agencies, for the children we serve. Our KindConnect program provides needed household items to our children and their families. In addition, Realities For Children manages several organized collection and distribution programs throughout the year.