January 28, 2008 :: No. 139

In its endeavors to improve the chances of safe and productive lives for thousands of children, the Orangewood Children’s Foundation has been making a difference in Orange County for 25 years. Cal State Fullerton will salute the foundation’s work, as well as its longtime support of the university, with the Orange County Titan Award during the 13th annual Front & Center gala Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Honda Center.

The Titan Award is presented to individuals, companies and organizations making a positive difference in Orange County. This year’s award will be accepted by Cal Winslow, CEO of the Orangewood Children’s Foundation.

Launched in 1981, Orangewood Children’s Foundation was established by a concerned group of private citizens and community leaders who envisioned a facility to shelter Orange County children who are victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment. They raised an initial $8 million toward the construction of the Orangewood Children’s Home and, subsequently, an additional $3.2 million to expand the facility. Today, Orangewood provides independent living workshops, transitional housing, mentors, grants, college scholarships and other services for current and former foster youth.

The foundation’s mission is to end the cycle of child abuse by providing innovative programs focused on prevention, care, emancipation and public awareness.

In 1998, Orangewood Children’s Foundation collaborated with and provided support to Cal State Fullerton when the university launched the Guardian Scholars Program. Believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, the program encourages and supports promising and motivated young people who are exiting the foster care system and striving to earn a college degree.

To date, the foundation has donated more than $800,000 to Guardian Scholars and has been a critical partner in the program’s success.

Since its inaugural partnership with Cal State Fullerton, Orangewood has developed subsequent collaborations with such universities and colleges as UCI, Chapman University, Orange Coast College, San Diego State University, UCLA, Loyola Marymount University and USC.

Orangewood Children’s Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors comprising more than 30 business and community leaders. Two self-directed volunteer auxiliaries, 44 Women For Children and Orangewood PALS (Providing Assistance, Love and Support), devote themselves to supporting the foundation’s programs for children, fundraising, public awareness and special activities.

Previous Orange County Titan Award honorees include: retired Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda; George Golleher, retired CEO of Ralphs Grocery Co.; Robert and Marie Gray of St. John Knits; former Broadcom president and CEO Henry T. Nicholas III; Orange County Teachers Federal Credit Union; the Anaheim Angels; Paul Folino, chairman and CEO of Emulex Corp.; Orange County Register/Freedom Orange County Information; and former Rockwell chairman and CEO Donald Beall.

Front & Center begins at 8 p.m. The gala will feature a concert by Stevie Nicks and will be emceed by alumnus Marc Cherry, creator and executive producer of the ABC primetime hit “Desperate Housewives.” Other highlights include performances by students from the university’s College of the Arts. Tickets are available by calling 657-278-3480.

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