The Children’s Home of Stockton (CHS) announced receipt of a $330,000 donation from the Hickinbotham Family Trust to its 2023 Major Gifts Campaign “Guiding Youth Forward.” This significant gift brings the campaign total to more than $783,000, exceeding the goal of $500,000.

CHS hosts an annual Major Gifts Campaign (MGC) to raise unrestricted funds for its critical youth programming. CHS operates the largest Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) for foster youth and Catalyst, the largest housing program for unsheltered Transition Age Youth (TAY) in San Joaquin County. Through these programs, CHS serves vulnerable youth who need a safety net and support to get their lives back on track and build a successful future.

“We are honored and proud to accept this legacy gift from the Hickinbotham Family Trust,” shared Joelle Gomez, Children’s Home of Stockton CEO. “This gift will ensure that CHS continues its important work with foster youth and homeless youth. It is invaluable to our success as we support and guide youth to a better future.”

The Hickinbotham Family has a long legacy in Stockton beginning in the 1850s and has supported CHS since its inception in 1882. Mrs. Sarah M. Hickinbotham served as President of the Children’s Home of Stockton Board of Directors for 20 years in the late 1800s and helped establish the organization.

“The Hickinbotham Family is honored to support the Children’s Home of Stockton (CHS) because of their 140-plus year history as a premier service provider and staple in the Stockton community. CHS was founded on and has excelled over the years due to philanthropic efforts and dedicated, competent leadership who have continuously demonstrated the ability to provide quality services, while adapting to changing regulations, to meet the needs of the children and young adults they serve,” expressed Cathy Hickinbotham, who helped facilitate this generous gift. “It is my desire, in promoting this donation, to help encourage other citizens to do the same. Through giving and estate planning, individuals can help ensure that their assets contribute to the causes they care most about. Community issues are best addressed by community members who take action to be part of the change.”

The 2023 Major Gifts Campaign ran from August 2023 through January 2024. For more information, visit the website at chstockton.org or call (209) 466-0853.

The mission of Children’s Home of Stockton is to guide youth and young adults forward to hope and resiliency.

CHS serves more than 100 at-risk youth annually. The agency operates a 16-bed Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) for foster youth ages 12-18 as well as an 18-bed housing and homeless prevention program for Transition Age Youth (TAY) ages 18-24 in San Joaquin County. CHS is Medi-Cal certified as a Specialty Mental Health Provider and offers Transition Aftercare services. CHS is nationally accredited through the Council of Accreditation.

Children’s Home of Stockton is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.