INSPIRED IMPACT is an ongoing blog series that gives voice to purpose-driven organizations and passionate leaders and entrepreneurs who are making an impact in their communities and industries.
Carina Martin is the CEO and Founder of A Precious Child. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin and learn more at www.apreciouschild.org.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
A Precious Child provides children in need with opportunities and resources to empower them to achieve their full potential. We work to assist children and families facing difficult life challenges such as abuse, neglect, and poverty by compassionately providing basic essentials, including clothing, diapers, formula, baby wipes, backpacks, school supplies, sports equipment and hygiene products through our Resource Center where qualifying children and families can “shop” for needed items at no charge to them. Our core initiatives help build the whole child. In addition to providing basic essentials, we help children and their families navigate community resources, working with schools to strengthen attendance initiatives, providing services and resources to agency partners to strengthen their impact, providing extracurricular as well as academic opportunities, emergency resources – all in an attempt to establish “normalcy” for each and every child.
Seeking ways to leverage each and every dollar and opportunity, A Precious Child partners with more than 260 agency partners, that consist of schools, health and human services, hospitals, fire and police departments, churches, and shelters. By partnering with these organizations we are able to amplify our impact and serve a greater number of children and families in the most need. We are headquartered in Broomfield, and serve clients living in eight Denver Metro counties including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, and Weld Counties.
WHY DO YOU DO IT?
A Precious Child was founded on the idea that every child deserves to have his or her basic needs met. Life is hard enough, but to be a kid who has to show up not having school supplies, proper clothing, or the opportunity to be like every other kid – can you imagine being that child? We want every child to feel empowered in school and in life.
WHAT IMPACT ARE YOU MAKING?
In our initial year, 2008, A Precious Child served 84 families in need. In 2016, A Precious Child served 39,097 children and 5,049 adults. Through the Fill A Backpack program, we were able to provide 11,261 backpacks filled with age-appropriate school supplies. All of this is accomplished through a dedicated staff of 18, and with the help of more than 3,500 volunteers who donated more than 24,500 hours of their precious time last year.
WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO MAKE THIS IMPACT?
There are currently more than 180,000 Colorado children living in poverty. Children living in poverty are more likely to be in poor health, less likely to graduate high school on time and are more likely to live in poverty as adults. We believe that every child is precious, deserving dignity, respect and the chance for success.
WHAT’S YOUR BIG DREAM FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND THE IMPACT YOU WANT TO MAKE?
We envision a future where every child grows up to be a secure, self-reliant, contributing member of their community.
WHAT IS (OR HAS BEEN) YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
Fulfilling the enormous need for our services – A Precious Child’s growth and impact are dependent on the amount of support we receive from our community, and the many outstanding businesses and corporations who rally behind us.
WHAT WORDS OF ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER LEADERS LOOKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
Surround yourself with people who share your passion and commitment, our organization is strong because of our dedicated staff, and the countless volunteers, donors and partners who support us.
HOW CAN OTHERS SUPPORT YOU OR YOUR CAUSE?
People can donate new and gently-used: clothing – all sizes; backpacks and school supplies, shoes and socks, underwear, diapers and wipes, sports equipment, small household items, kitchenware, linens, towels, sheets and toiletries. They can make a monetary donation and we need volunteers – there are a number of ways individuals and companies can get involved. They can host a drive to collect essentials; sign up to be table captain at one of our two Heroes of A Precious Child Luncheons in October; or they can sponsor one of our events or programs.