Children & Youth Services

“Unless the investment in children is made, all of humanity's most fundamental long-term problems will remain fundamental long-term problems.”
-UNICEF, "The State of the World's Children"

Over the past year, the Foundation has funded over 25 grants for youth dental and orthodontia. These grants have been funded for foster youth who have gone through multiple foster placements and have not had proper dental treatment, and for children who were abused and were removed from their home. We also funded 31 medical grants such as surgery, specialized durable medical equipment, tattoo removal and speech therapy in hopes of preparing youth for the coming years. For those children who require specialized equipment to go about everyday life, such as adaptive technology, specialized wheelchairs, or a voice-activated computer to excel at school, Change a Life Foundation has funded 16 disability grants.

In 2009, the Change a Life Foundation assisted children with $606,737 through 136 grants.

Daniel and Lucio are friends that had surgery the same day during one of Fresh Start Surgical Gifts Surgery Weekends. Teenage years are tough enough without the scars that cleft lips and palate leave on a life. Change a Life Foundation funded a portion of the facility use costs for the Surgery Weekend.

	When Maria was only 2 years old, she was accidentally burned by spilled hot oil which caused severe 3rd degree burns to her scalp head and body. 10 years later, over 40% of her scalp is scar tissue and the remaining is beautiful long black hair. Maria received a grant for a real hair wig from Change a Life Foundation through our partner organization, Burn Institute.
	Many seriously ill children are not able to experience the fun of going to summer camp. Change a Life Foundation has provided funding for transportation costs so that ill children can attend camp and have life-changing experiences. This picture is courtesy of The Painted Turtle.