Note from the Editor: Kids' Chance of California

• Publication year: 2019
• Author: Randy Pollak, Esq.

Note from the Editor: Kids' Chance of California

Randy Pollak, Esq.

Thousand Oaks, California

You may have seen some of the literature or advertisements about the organization Kids' Chance of California. I recently learned about it when I was attending the DWC Education Conference in Los Angeles and discovered it is a great nonprofit that is helping the children of seriously injured or deceased workers.

I had the privilege of sitting down for a conversation with the organization's founder, Maria Henderson, to learn more about what Kids' Chance is about, its accomplishments, and how people in the workers' compensation community can help.

What Is Kids' Chance of California?

Kids' Chance of California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization with the mission of providing need-based educational scholarships to the children of California workers who have been fatally or seriously injured on the job.

The inspiration for the initiative was a project in Georgia that started in 1988 and began to spread to other states. Ms. Henderson was involved in the Georgia program and brought it to California in 2013. Now this program is in 44 states.

Accomplishments

Since 1988, the nationwide tally is 6,597 scholarships. Since its inception in California, 43 students have received scholarships.

Who Has Helped?

Donations have come from many corners of the workers' compensation community, including individuals, corporations, insurance companies, applicant firms, and others. Some corporate sponsors have contributed up to $50,000 at one time, and others have provided annual donations in varying amounts. One time, Kids' Chance even received an anonymous check for $16,000.

How Can You Help?

There are many ways to help, including referring an applicant in need, volunteering your time, and donating. You can make donations on the website (www.kids...