History

A Long Tradition of Support for our Foster Youth

Established in 2001, the MGCS Foundation strives to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged and at-risk youth of San Joaquin County. The driving force behind the Foundation’s inception was the need for suitable housing for innocent children removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment.

The Foundation, whose volunteer board includes business leaders, health care professionals, financial experts, and educators, rallied with the community and the Human Services Agency to replace the crumbling dormitory buildings that provided shelter to the children. Once the old facility was replaced with a state-of-the-art residential care center, the Foundation committed its efforts to raising funds for a child advocacy center, where victims of abuse may be interviewed discreetly and with sensitivity. The new Kortzeborn Child Advocacy Center is located on the shelter’s grounds and provides medical care for residents and other foster children.

Concurrent with these efforts, the Foundation provided, and continues to provide, enrichment funds for the children placed in the protective custody of the Shelter. While government funds cover basic living expenses—food, shelter, clothing—there are no funding streams for the little “extras” that enrich childhood—birthday parties, holiday gifts, outings to the movies and ball games, prom dresses and tuxedos, etc. The Foundation determined to cover these expenses and has supported the County’s mission to provide a safe, nurturing environment for these children while they begin their healing processes.

In the course of their involvement with the plight of these children, the Foundation recognized a dismaying void in the continuum of care for foster children. Once these children attain majority, there is no provision for continued education and after-care. Without guidance and financial support systems, the odds of these children becoming successful, self-sufficient adults are low. Statistics show that former foster children comprise 40% of the nation’s homeless population. Many end up in the penal system.

The Foundation rose to this challenge, and its Scholarship Program debuted in 2004. Eight students were enrolled at trade schools, the local community college, and state universities. One has since graduated from M.T.I. vocational school and has entered the work force. The Foundation’s contributions may include subsidized housing, special needs stipends, and tutoring services.

In addition to this financial support, the Foundation has established a mentoring program for the youths. Community volunteers from varied walks in life—physicians, attorneys, educators, philanthropists—have joined forces to lend a helping hand, open ears, and sometimes, a shoulder to cry on, so that the students can navigate through yet another stressful period in their lives.