RSSDemands swells, so will Children's Village
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- With investment portfolios reeling and the economy in a general funk, it's hardly an opportune time to raise more than $4 million in the Yakima Valley.
But supporters of Children's Village are only a little daunted.
"This is uncomfortable to some degree, but I am the queen of optimists," said Anne Caffery, president of the Memorial Foundation.
The Foundation, an arm of Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, raises funds for Children's Village and other local health programs.
Indeed, officials are confident enough in the community's charitable resources to proceed with today's groundbreaking for a two-story, 13,000-square-foot addition to Children's Village, enlarging the facility for special-needs children to 37,600 square feet.
Construction will provide a much-needed boost to the local job scene, said Michael Moen of G.H. Moen of Yakima, the general contractor.
"It's our own little economic stimulus package," he said.
At any given time, 30 workers will be on the site. Peak construction could employ 200 people.
The total campaign goal for the project is $8.1 million; nearly half of that was raised in the past 18 months. Officials say they have enough money to complete the first phase of construction.
Children's Village has a good story to sell, which helps the fundraising challenge. But Caffery said the foundation has had to adjust its strategy away from the big "transformational" gifts to a more populist approach.
"The rest of this campaign is going to have to rely on gifts under $25,000. The gifts of more than $50,000 that tend to come from people's investment portfolios aren't happening," she said.
The foundation is finding success with groups of employees that take it upon themselves to hold fundraisers, as well as smaller, local companies that may not have donated before. For instance, two relatively new Yakima restaurants -- Sonic and Tony's Steakhouse -- both donated some of the proceeds from their grand openings.
"Now you're seeing more of the Everyman coming into the picture," Caffery said.
It's not like the expansion of Children's Village can wait. Many of the programs have waiting lists of four to six months, forcing families to travel to Seattle.
The number of children served at Children's Village has more than tripled over the past decade, according to Diane Patterson, director.
Of the $8.1 million total to be raised under the capital campaign, $6.5 million will pay for construction. The remaining $1.6 million will fund programs.
Health insurance covers only about 30 percent of the cost of providing services at the facility. The Memorial Foundation provides about $625,000 a year through local fundraising and grants.
While Children's Village offers a variety of services, from specialty medical and dental attention to physical and occupational therapy, the most significant demand is among children who need to be screened for autism.
Autism is a developmental disability that ranges from mild to severe. Health care providers technically refer to autism as a "spectrum disorder," meaning it covers a variety of neurological disorders often involving difficulties with communication and relationships, as well as obsessions and repetitive behaviors.
Nationally, it's estimated that one of every 133 children is on the autism spectrum.
To help meet the demand for diagnostic services, the expansion will house a Community Autism Center of Excellence.
Children's Village began diagnosing preschool children in 2006 and offers "interventions" based on the latest research. It's also training Central Washington University students in the latest therapies.
As a result, children diagnosed on the autism spectrum arrive at elementary school better prepared for success, said Shelley Marquett, special programs director for the East Valley School District.
"The village gets those little guys on track sooner with specialized services, and that can make the difference in their success and ability to learn," Marquett said.
The expansion, which includes remodeling of existing space at Children's Village, will take place in three phases. The first phase, which includes the autism center of excellence as well as pediatric dental exam rooms, is scheduled for completion in February 2010.
* Leah Beth Ward can be reached at 509-577-7626 or lward@yakimaherald.com.
If you go
WHAT: Groundbreaking for Children's Village expansion.
WHEN: 10 a.m. today.
WHERE: 3801 Kern Road; use south entrance.
INFO: www.yakimachildrensvillage.org.
Special needs children in Yakima County
* More than 13,858 have a developmental disability.
* More than 500 age 19 or younger have autism.
* 35 percent of those served at Children's Village live in the mid- to Lower Yakima Valley.
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