Area College Helps Local Foster Kids
For the third year running, the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) at California State University, Dominguez Hills held a "Holiday Wish Drive" for Masada Homes, collecting and donating myriad gifts for the children and teens served by the nearby nonprofit foster placement and adoption agency located in Carson.
In late November, the campus community was provided with a list of specific wishes for 38 children and teens, ranging in age from two months to 17-years-old. Donations of toys and electronics were delivered to the CHHS offices, along with gift cards and monetary donations.
Additionally, Toby Bushee, catering and event manager, Campus Dining, gave away $1 coupons to the campus’ Club 1910 restaurant for every dollar deposited in the donation box at the restaurant.
The university’s relationship with the agency began when Claudia Peyton, acting associate CHHS dean and director of the occupational therapy program, became a foster mother through the Masada agency. Marilyn Noriega, Masada’s program manager, also teaches in the CSUDH occupational therapy master’s program.
Students from the campus’ occupational therapy program also work at Masada as interns with early intervention for at-risk youth in group homes.
For more information about Masada, visit their Web site.