REALITIES FOR CHILDREN
FROM THE FOUNDER A LETTER
To the Realities For Children Family,
As we look back on 2023, it was a year of inspiration and fortification of our mission and services for the children we are dedicated to caring for. The year began as we recognized our 2023 Triumph Award Scholarship recipients. It is always powerful to see these young people who have overcome so much, be recognized as they emancipate from the system and join the forever family of Triumph Alumni. Your support has not only assisted them through some of the most difficult times but also helps to provide the resources they need to follow their dreams as they go out on their own.
It is inspiring because it is the ultimate goal of the work that we do. Our goal is not to just see these children who have been abused, neglected or are at-risk simply survive, but be empowered to triumph over it. The Realities For Children healing philosophy focuses on Emergency Services, Healing Support and Breaking the Cycle for the next generation. To see these young people triumph over their dark past, speaks to the importance and power of the impact we can have.
Unfortunately, we continue to see increased demand for our services as just last year alone Larimer County fielded 6,875 new reports and referrals of child abuse and neglect. Yet despite this tremendous need our Business Members, Donors, Volunteers and Partners allowed us to not only meet this need but to reach further in service than ever before. As a community of care, we provided emergency needs for 5,116 children when there was nowhere else to turn, needed items were distributed to 15,192 children and hosted 6,764 children and guardians at Youth Activities and our Homebase Campus.
In the midst of this increased demand for support, we were also able to recognize new challenges left in the wake of the pandemic as we witness more complex cases and the mental health impact on the children we serve. This past year we shared our call to build a world-class model of healing support for children recovering from physical and sexual abuse as we announced the Healing Sanctuary. This 4-acre campus will provide a multifunctional resource that connects trauma survivors with the healing power of nature and offers numerous programs in the safe and welcoming setting needed for healing. It will provide specialized facilities, programs, and wraparound support to counteract the financial and real-world reasons many children do not receive or maintain therapy through the recovery process.
This report is designed to share more about all of the resources you have helped to provide and the lifechanging impact your support has made on the lives of so many children this past year.
On behalf of every child that you have helped us to care for, thank you for choosing to be part of the Realities For Children Family, and making it your business to make a difference.
In friendship,
CRAIG SECHER Executive Director
IN ACTION COLLABORATION
Realities For Children and Realities For Children Charities form a collaborative partnership that directly connects community members, business leaders and local youth agencies to provide the most efficient and direct services possible to support the needs of local children who have been abused, neglected, or are at-risk.
In creating this private – social partnership that invites everyone in our community to help see that no child in need is forgotten, Realities For Children has set the industry standard in:
FISCAL EFFICIENCY – 100% distribution of every donation directly to Core Services and Programs.
COLLABORATION – Empowers a collaborative network of government and youth agencies.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT – Uniting local businesses and thousands of community members
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT – Managing one of the largest volunteer networks for at-risk youth.
MANAGEMENT – Board oversight by proven community leaders.
FUNDRAISING EVENTS – Hosting premier events that invite all community sectors to get involved. ORGANIZATION SUSTAINABILITY – Not grant, market or government dependent.
Realities For Children
CHARITIES
is a 501c3 charitable organization that is designed to unite the nonprofit community, provide Emergency Services, Item Distributions and Special Programs for children that have been abused, neglected or are at-risk when there is nowhere else to turn and to help realize a strong continuum of services.
Realities For Children
MEMBERSHIP
is a nonprofit cause marketing organization comprised of local business leaders. These Business Members pay a monthly membership fee that collectively provides marketing and promotions for their business and underwrites all the administrative and overhead costs for the charity so that 100% of all donations go to direct services.
CHARITIES
NO CHILD FORGOTTEN
For a nonprofit strong leadership is essential to not only providing the best impact and continuum of services, but also in discerning the most efficient use of resources entrusted by our donors and supporters. The Realities For Children Charities Board of Directors is comprised of key community leaders with front line awareness and expertise of community issues and the needs of child abuse survivors.
HEALING PHILOSOPHY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kristy Volesky, President Assistant Chief Fort Collins Police Dept.
Wade Troxell, Vice President Associate Professor at CSU and Former Fort Collins Mayor
Jennifer Ray, Secretary President – Slate Northern Division
Bryan Watkins, Treasurer Gateway Mortgage
John Feyen Larimer County Sheriff
Craig Secher Realities For Children Executive Director
The design of Realities For Children Charities embraces a healing philosophy that identifies and supports three essential legs of service in providing for children who have faced abuse and neglect.
Emergency Services – The first leg of service requires we identify and meet the immediate, unmet and emergency needs so that no child in need is forgotten.
Healing Process – The second leg requires effective support services once emergency needs have been met so that the healing process along the path of recovery can begin.
Breaking the Cycle – The third leg focuses on provision of services that equip, support and provide resources so that as children grow they are empowered to break the cycle of abuse.
2023 PARTNER AGENCIES
Realities For Children Partner Youth Agencies are an esteemed group of government and nonprofit youth organizations that directly serve children that have been abused, neglected or are at-risk in Larimer County. Each agency has agreed to the Realities For Children principals of youth services collaboration so that collectively we are able to provide the best possible continuum of services throughout the healing process.
CORE SERVICES & PROGRAMS
Each of our Core Services and Programs are designed with the intent to strengthen a specific leg within the healing process to help children thrive and overcome.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Emergency Services are immediate needs for children that have been abused, neglected or are at-risk that are requested when all other resources are exhausted or unavailable. Emergency Funding is accessible for children in need within 60 minutes of requests creating a true county wide safety net so that no child in need is forgotten.
This past year Emergency Service grants were provided to 5,116 children in Northern Colorado.
ITEM DISTRIBUTIONS
Item Distributions are managed throughout the year based on specific youth needs and allow Emergency Funds to reach further, where they are needed most.
In 2023 we provided needed items to 15,192 children through these distribution programs.
• BACK TO SCHOOL – backpacks and supplies
• BIKES FOR TYKES – bicycles and helmets
• SANTA’S WORKSHOP – toys and warm winter gear
• FESTIVAL OF TREES – delivering decorated Christmas trees
• KINDCONNECT – direct delivery program for needed items year-round
Realities For Children also serves as the distribution location for all Larimer County Department of Human Services hygiene items throughout the year.
HOMEBASE YOUTH ACTIVITIES CAMPUS
The Realities For Children Youth Activities Campus is a 4-acre, centrally located private facility, distribution center, park and playground that is easily accessible to the youth, families and Partner Agencies we work with in Larimer County.
This Campus hosts Youth Activities, Item Distributions throughout the year as well as free facilities access to all Partner Youth Agencies in service of children in need. The Realities For Children Youth Activities Campus provides a safe, consistent and non-institutionalized location for our children and families along their path of healing.
In 2023 we had 126 Partner Youth Agency reservations hosting 4,979 children, guardians and guests totaling 1,031 hours of program space for the children we serve. This is a resource value of $159,901 provided in free facilities space for the benefit of youth programs and services.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Realities For Children provides monthly Youth Activities that allow healing support for a child to simply be a child during difficult times. Each event provides items, food, and fun activities they often wouldn’t have access to enjoy. Youth Activities are joined by the Realities For Children Therapy Dogs, Remi and Rio, who have become calming and fun favorites of the children we care for.
In addition to Youth Activities, we also provide ten private birthday parties every month so children can be celebrated.
Last year 1,510 children attended our Youth Activities.
A child going through abuse and neglect feels lost, unseen, misunderstood, and confused.
The darkness is real, and as a child going through abuse and neglect, that darkness follows them, but only until one person makes the choice to take action and help brighten their way.
I was only 6 years old when the state decided to step in. I experienced extreme neglect and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the hands of both of my parents from the time I was born until the day Child Protection came and rescued me.
But growing up in foster care can be a connectionless experience. I was placed in several different homes; I struggled to make friends because I moved every year.
In the darkest moments, I prayed someone would come to save me. I didn’t know it at the time, but my prayers were heard through the support I received, and as I look back, I realize that Realities For Children has always been that light in my life.
I’m proud to say I have broken the cycle; I have worked very hard to provide a life for my own children that I didn’t get to experience. I am so grateful for the selfless people who really went above and beyond to show me life didn’t have to be as dark as it always has been.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
These are grants toward Special Youth programs that better the Healing Process and Breaking the Cycle.
• KEEPING DREAMS ALIVE – provides dream grants for children ages 6-14 to encourage them to follow their dreams of a better tomorrow.
• TRIUMPH AWARDS – provides scholarships for emancipating youth to further their education and continue down their path of triumph. In 2023, we awarded $60,000 to 7 new Triumph Award recipients.
$646,875
COMMUNITY AWARENESS
Realities For Children is dedicated to increasing Community Awareness about the problems of child abuse in Larimer County and how people can choose to get involved and make a difference.
We also help to promote and underwrite Agency fundraising events throughout the year. In 2023, Realities For Children helped to support 28 Partner Agency fundraising events investing $82,500 and helping these organizations increase community awareness and raise $1,682,452.87 in collective net returns for their services.
A CHILD SERVED BY REALITIES FOR CHILDREN
THE TRIUMPH AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT GREW TO
2023 TRIUMPH AWARD RECIPIENTS
Realities For Children fundraises a year in advance. The benefit of this policy is that when funds are allocated for services for the year these are actual dollars versus projected dollars avoiding any potential shortfall so our children and partners in service are always provided for.
General Donations – All gifts received directly or through event fundraising are allocated to Core Services in Larimer County.
Designated Gifts – Are funds that are designated by the donor for a specific service. These funds must be utilized as designated by the donor and may include our Triumph Awards Scholarship Fund, Weld County Emergency Services, Event Sponsorship or the Youth Campus.
Thanks to the Members of Realities For Children underwriting all administrative expenses of the charity, all donations are dedicated directly to Emergency Services, Special Programs and other Core Services for the children we serve. The information and chart below outline designated gifts and the funds distribution to Core Services.
2023 SERVICES PROVIDED
WHERE BUSINESS, COMMUNITY AND SERVICE COME TOGETHER MEMBERSHIP
The vision of Realities For Children is to educate, engage and inspire local businesses, youth agencies and the community to support and improve the lives of Northern Colorado children who have been abused, neglected or are at-risk – so that no child in need is forgotten.
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
STAFF
Craig Secher Executive Director
Shelley Carroll
Membership Director
Mehgan Castor Community Outreach Coordinator
Erin Myrtle Director of Marketing
Molly Secher
Membership Billing + Member Relations Manager
Mechelle Stanton-Bowers Director of Events
Tanya Witt Partner Agency & Youth Programs Manager
Realities For Children Business Members are an alliance of local business leaders that have made it part of their company culture to making a positive difference in the lives of children in our community that have been abused, neglected or at-risk. These Members are the backbone of the Realities For Children organization in that they fortify the private – social partnership that allow business, community and service to come together.
Not only do these business leaders underwrite all the charities’ administrative expenses but in doing so they help to unite the nonprofit and services community to see that no child is forgotten. Every service, program and resource we provide is made possible because of these business leaders in our community. They become a voice for those silenced by abuse as they make it part of their business to make a difference.
For a complete list of all Realities For Children Business Members, visit realitiesforchildren.com
AMBASSADORS
Realities For Children’s Ambassadors are a select group of Business Members that have elected to volunteer to reach out to the business community to help us spread community awareness. They go above and beyond to invite business leaders to make it their business to make a difference and serve as lead volunteers at community events and agency programs.
Ann Baron Northern Colorado Community
Brent Barstad Blue Federal Credit Union
Curt Bear LoCo Think Tank
Joseph Chen EnviroPest
Sean Dougherty The Aloha Team at RE/MAX Alliance
Shannon Doyle SPD Architecture
Dawn Eger Eger CPA
Jackie Gosser Northern Colorado Tree Service
Kelly Kettler, Chair SpeedPro - Great. Big. Graphics.
Gary McDonald Ent Credit Union
Pat Schnaidt All Tech Automotive
Jordan Secher NOCO Style
Jennifer Snyder Fully Promoted
David Wiegand Country Financial
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Members are making a difference while growing their business.
In addition to all the support Members provide in services and care, they receive extensive marketing and promotion in virtually every form of media available. In all marketing we encourage everyone to choose to do business with businesses invested in making a difference for children in need. In addition to monthly networking events, members receive marketing in local print publications, digital marketing, billboards, social media, website, in our 32-page Membership Directory mailed to over 2,000 locations quarterly, at fundraising events and so much more.
For details on all Member marketing benefits contact Membership Director Shelley Carroll at 970-0484-9090 x 101
We’ve been business members of Realities For Children going on 8 years now, and love the ability to both grow our business, while doing something good for the community. We do business with other members when possible, because we know and trust in their reasons for being in business, and we know their heart. The RFC organization reaches so many individuals and touches so many lives. We will continue to belong and support the RFC mission –because there is simply no better way to leverage your business, your network, for the greater good of our community.
PAT SCHNAIDT, OWNER – ALL TECH AUTOMOTIVE REALITIES FOR CHILDREN AMBASSADOR
COMING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY
The Realities For Children Family works tirelessly in our efforts to see that no child in need is forgotten. This private – social partnership model has helped to unite our community like never before and over the years has been recognized and honored in the business, government, and community sectors universally for its tremendous reach of service and life changing support.
This past year Realities For Children was further honored with the following awards:
NONPROFIT PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Realities For Children was recognized as the partner of the year by Family Housing Network.
PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Realities For Children was recognized as the partner of the year by CASA of Larimer County.
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Larimer County Department of Human Services honored RFC for their continuing efforts to go above and beyond to prevent child abuse and neglect and inspiring so many in our community to play a role in providing the best possible environment for every child to flourish and thrive.
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains was lucky enough to be among the very first recipients of Realities for Children’s generous support! Every time we provide dinner to a stressed-out foster family or pay for respite so a parent can take a much needed break, we do so because RFC has created a way for the kind hearted Business Members in this community to support youth in foster care. We are in awe of Realities and are forever grateful for their many gifts.
KIM PENNEY, PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF FOSTER CARE AND FAMILY SERVICES NORTH, LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES ROCKY MOUNTAINS
PREMIER FUNDRAISING EVENTS
The Members of Realities For Children and our Event Sponsors produce some of the Premier Fundraising Events for Northern Colorado children who have been abused, neglected or are at-risk. These events have become community landmarks and world record holding events that not only benefit youth in need but also increase community awareness of the problems of child abuse and invite everyone to make difference in the life of a child.
• PINWHEEL GALA
Annually held in April, National Child Abuse Prevention Month
• REALITIES CUP INVITATIONAL
Annually held in July
• REALITIES RIDE & RALLY
Annually held in August
• NIGHTLIGHTS
Annually held in December
IN 2023, PREMIER EVENTS RAISED FOR DIRECT SERVICES
$576,257
At Blue Federal Credit Union, we believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back. Supporting Realities For Children allows us to be a part of something truly impactful, providing hope and opportunities for our youth who need it most. Our partnership is about more than just financial support; it’s about offering these young individuals a second chance at a brighter future. Together, we are creating positive change and making dreams come true for countless children in our communities.
MICHELE BOLKOVATZ, VP OF PUBLIC RELATIONS BLUE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
All revenue is from Business Membership. These resources not only provide Member marketing and promotions, increase community awareness of the issues of child abuse but also cover all administrative expenses and operating costs of both Realities For Children Membership and Realities For Children Charities.
Thanks to Business Members covering these expenses 100% of all donations received go directly to children’s emergency needs, programs and other Core Services.
Business Membership is a business deduction rather than a charitable donation. This generally offers a greater benefit to the business or business owner from a tax perspective.
Realities for Children exemplifies the profound impact a dedicated organization can have on the lives of vulnerable children. Their unwavering commitment to providing emergency services and support ensures that no child at risk of, or having been abused or neglected is left without hope. By addressing both the urgent and ongoing needs of these children, Realities For Children supports a community where every child has the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive. I am proud to have worked with Realities For Children for many years and truly appreciate all that they bring to our community.
KRISTY VOLESKY, ASSISTANT CHIEF, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION FORT COLLINS POLICE SERVICES
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
CREATING A WORLD-CLASS MODEL OF HEALING SUPPORT
In April of 2023 we announced our vision to respond to a growing and unmet need in our community. We witnessed the increase in high trauma, sexual abuse and more complex cases of abuse and neglect locally. During the past several years, we have seen Emergency Services grow from 9 to 15 children a day on average. This, coupled with the dramatic increase in sexual abuse of minors, lack of wraparound services to facilitate ongoing care, and poor mental health support needed to fortify the healing process, has called us to lead the way in providing the additional supported needed in our community.
Our children need a Healing Sanctuary that offers a multifunctional resource that connects trauma survivors with the healing power of nature and offers numerous programs in the safe and welcoming setting needed to fortify the Healing Process. Providing specialized facilities, programs, and wraparound support to counteract the financial and real-world reasons many children do not receive or maintain therapy through the recovery process.
The Healing Sanctuary will provide 4-acres dedicated to the healing process providing the following resources that is freely accessible to all children in need offering:
• THE INSPIRATION CENTER
• HEALING THERAPY CENTER
• THERAPY GARDENS
• THERAPY FARM
• WRAPAROUND CARE
For more information, visit realitieshealingsanctuary.com
Therapy for our youngest victims needs to create first and foremost a refuge, a place of protection and a place of safety. This is what Realities For Children is building with the Healing Sanctuary. With 4-acres to play and ample space to invite wrap around services, this is truly a space created for youth to be at the center of what they need to heal.
AMANDA OLIVIER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM ADVOCATE CENTER (SAVA)
received Emergency Services when no other resources were available
1,510 CHILDREN
12 attended Youth Activities
AWARDED TRIUMPH SCHOLARSHIPS
DISTRIBUTED NEEDED ITEMS TO 15,192 CHILDREN
40
4,979 of support for the children we serve 6,597 HOURS gave their time and talents sharing 1,203 VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTED PARTNER AGENCIES
Children & Guests hosted at RFC Homebase