Time for Change Foundation Gives Back this Holiday Season

Over the holiday season, the Time for Change Foundation held multiple events that gave back to those community members in need. One of the first events, kicked off bright and early Nov. 21 at 5 a.m. was the 13-hour-long Food & Clothing donation drive hosted by partners X103.9 FM and Chaparral Motorsports, benefiting the homeless women and children of Time for Change Foundation (TFCF), held at Chaparral Motorsports in San Bernardino. Donations included various items like gift cards, bus passes, non-perishable food items and business attire clothing. According to the Time for Change Foundation (TFCF), the mission, guide, and goal they work by is to "empower disenfranchised low income individuals and families by building leadership through evidence-based programs and housing to create self-sufficiency and thriving communities." They have been dedicated to helping homeless women and children, "achieve self-sufficiency by using an array of evidenced-based practices coupled with a strength-based approach to address their needs," through various supportive programs and services. The donations received that day, with the help of X103.9 FM and Chaparral Motorsports, impacted a large number of homeless families, women and children to help them recover from the unfortunate effects of homelessness including: addiction, incarceration, mental and physical abuse. Donations like these are also the driving force that enables TFCF to provide shelter services, childcare, transportation and even educational supplies for the children. Time for Change Foundation's Executive Director Kim Carter said, "Children are the most vulnerable in any homeless situation." She also mentioned that the ability the foundation has to put these events on and the generous people instrumental in these events can make the biggest difference. “We have the ability to redirect their unfortunate circumstances and turn it into a stepping stone that propels these children into a bright future full of healthy expectations and the education attainment necessary for a bright future," she said. Carter added, "It's because of the generous donations of others that we have had remarkable outcomes with our families. Our mothers are reaching self-sufficiency and their children are catapulted to live their greatest dreams." After the food and clothing drive, families, individuals, community members and local leaders joined together on the following Sunday, Nov. 23, to enjoy the Time for Change Foundation's (TFCF) Taking Time to Give Thanks Concert to benefit Homeless Women and Children held at the Henderson Auditorium in the Community Hospital of San Bernardino. This year's concert featured talented artists like Rolls Royce's Makeda Francisco, who is also the national spokesperson for TFCF, JhuMaani, and the dancing and choreography of Martindale Productions. Chipotle Mexican Grill donated food for everyone who attended the event. Children in the program joined Makeda Francisco and danced along with the music with her. According to TFCF, these types of events that engage the children with the community are instrumental in helping them break the inter-generational cycles of homelessness and neglect in the lives of these children. “It’s an honor for me to be able to create something that is fruitful, that provides a roof over somebody’s head, a refuge, shelter to allow that chance to come out of the rain and cold and get it together," Carter shared. "I don’t want to ever forget why we started Time for Change foundation… It’s about the children having a safe place to live, a hot meal and a clean bed, and going to the same school year after year."