1950’s
1957
Two young Hollywood actresses, Sara (Buckner) O’Meara and Yvonne (Lime) Fedderson, met playing the bubbly girlfriends of Ricky and David Nelson on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Little did they know at the time, it was a friendship that would last a lifetime.
1959
Fast-forward seven years, and two rising stars, a stunning brunette and beautiful blonde, were picked from a possible cast of 500 as part of a government-sponsored goodwill tour. They were selected and flown to Korea, Okinawa, and Japan to entertain American soldiers right after the Korean War.
When they arrived, the entire city of Tokyo was shut down by a severe typhoon with violent winds. “Red flag” alerts warned locals to remain indoors, though a few desperate souls scavenged through the debris and wreckage looking for food and shelter. Among these unfortunate souls was a group of children huddled beneath a fallen awning, pressed together for warmth, but still shivering against the freezing wind. The children were barefoot, clothed in rain-soaked rags and weeping.
After days trapped in their hotel room, the willful and daring actresses grew restless and decided to sneak out for a midday walk. They did not want to miss all the sights and sounds of this fascinating new culture. Propelled by youthful curiosity, they explored the side streets of Tokyo and strode right into the cowering orphans. Turning onto the side street, giggling as their shoes sank into the mud, the young Hollywood actresses must have looked like angels emerged from the terrifying storm to the children.
They immediately ran to the children and cuddled as many as would fit under their billowing coats. Sara and Yvonne furiously flipped through the pages of their English to Japanese dictionaries to converse as best they could. They discovered the little survivors were stranded.
The children looked hopeless and had no homes and no parents to turn to. Sara and Yvonne did what any naïve, emotional young women might do and smuggled all eleven children into their hotel room.
They bathed, fed, and played with the children before tucking them in for the night. After the children were fast asleep, Yvonne looked at Sara with a worried expression, “Now what?” as they realized they needed to face the reality of the situation they stumbled into.
The next morning, Sara and Yvonne searched for orphanages to take in the rescued children, but none could oblige because of their own crowded conditions. There was also the fact that because the children were ½ American and ½ Japanese (many fathered by American servicemen), they would receive no government funding. At the time they were called “throwaway children,” unclaimed by the cultures of their origin.
International Orphans was founded by Sara (Buckner) O’Meara and Yvonne (Lime) Fedderson to support the 11 Japanese-American children. They began their lifelong careers in fundraising by passing around a hat in the audience and collecting donations after singing to the servicemen. When our men in uniform learned about the children, they were eager to help.
Sara and Yvonne decided there was nothing left to do but start their own orphanage.
They learned of a kind local woman named Kin Horuchi (lovingly known as Mama Kin) who lived in a one room hut with several orphans. She agreed to care and provide shelter for the eleven extra children, when Sara and Yvonne offered to pay for their care as well as the 10 orphans she had. When word of what was happening spread through the city, there were over 100 extra children left on the doorstep of the modest dwelling within three short weeks. She agreed to care for these extra children with Sara and Yvonne’s financing the entire operation. Once again, the soldiers stepped up to help and the hut was expanded into a comfortable home for the children in Mama Kin’s care.
1960’s
1960
Sara and Yvonne returned to California to fundraise. Rather than seeking out new acting roles, they implored friends, family and contacts in the film industry to help the children they had grown to love. They collected enough money to build four orphanages in Japan for the mixed-heritage “throwaway” children. Due to their great success, Congress requested them to do the same across the seas in Vietnam.
Eventually, Sara and Yvonne built and maintained five orphanages, a hospital and school in Vietnam.
Through building orphanages with the dedicated oversight of the Third Marine Amphibious Force, Sara and Yvonne became friends and dedicated partners with Marine Corps Lieutenant General Lewis W. Walt, who was in charge of their entire orphanage operation.
1961
International Orphans Inc begins building two large orphanages in the Tokyo area for Amerasian children.
1965
Chiyoko, the first Japanese-American orphan brought to the United States by International Orphans Incorporated is adopted.
1967
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the Cross of Merit from the Knightly Order of St. Brigitte for humanitarian work as co-founders of International Orphans Incorporated.
1968
IOI builds 3 more orphanages in Japan.
1969
International Orphans Incorporated celebrates its 10th Anniversary.
1970’s
1970
IOI instituted a Special Friends project to connect helping hearts with the organization’s orphans. A version of this type of program exists to this day.
1972
Congress asked Sara and Yvonne to go into Vietnam to replicate their successes for children in Tokyo.
1973
IOI built and maintained a hospital, school and 5 orphanages in Vietnam.
1975
Lieutenant General Lewis W. Walt appeared at one of their fundraisers and asked to speak with Sara and Yvonne privately. Over coffee he shared a history-changing secret.
“Ladies, I have something to tell you—something that very few people know,” he said in a hushed voice, “In a short time, I expect to receive orders from the president to pull our troops out of Vietnam.”
Sara and Yvonne could not believe what they were hearing and immediately thought about their precious orphans. Lt. General Walt was tough, but was a “teddy bear” when it came to protecting the little ones. Still, he was committed to the safety of his men. He held up his hands before the ladies could speak, “I’m telling you right now: I don’t want to hear a word about the children. There’s absolutely nothing I can do. Do you understand? It’s going to be hard enough to evacuate our men, so I don’t want any problems concerning the children. I’ve got enough to deal with, OK?”
Sara pleaded, her eyes filling with tears, “You know these children will be the Vietcong’s first targets because the orphanages are funded by Americans!” Yvonne began to cry as well and begged, “They won’t survive with their mixed blood. They will be lined up and shot just like we see on TV.” “There’s nothing I can do,” Lt. General Walt replied, clearly upset, “I’m sorry but that’s the way it is.”
Sara and Yvonne wept most of the night, imagining the faces of the little children they had grown to care for as if they were part of their own families. In the morning, sadness was replaced by action. They called their ally, Congressman Corman and boldly requested planes to evacuate the boys and girls in peril.
Within 24 hours the call came in, “If you can organize the children, I’ll help get the planes.” Sara and Yvonne worked tirelessly for weeks, coordinated volunteers and adoption agencies and made miracles happen. The operation was dubbed by the media as “Operation Baby Lift.” Sara and Yvonne cried tears of joy as children were flown out of war-torn Vietnam and placed into the arms of loving adoptive parents. Through their orphanages, community efforts and “Operation Baby Lift,” the Childhelp Founders began their philanthropic careers rescuing thousands of babies and young children.
Word quickly spread of the wonderful things Sara and Yvonne were doing with International Orphans, and they were invited by Nancy Reagan, the First Lady of California, to speak about their life-saving missions. Their heart-wrenching story would be the perfect way to address “America’s best kept secret”—child abuse to the nation.
Alerting the country of this horrible epidemic was the first step in helping the cause, and the ladies were eager to share their story.
Later in the year, the Senate Subcommittee on Children and Youth released a study that child abuse had become an epidemic in the United States and was the leading cause of death in young children. This horrific statistic showed the intensity of the issue in our own country and helped to urge many to join the cause. Unfortunately, this statistic is still true today.
1976
They began by changing laws to protect abused children. With increasing awareness of the issue and the encouragement of childcare experts, the ladies launched a campaign against child abuse called the Children’s Village USA.
1978
Sara and Yvonne worked endlessly to open the doors of the first pioneering residential treatment center strictly for abused children. They opened the Children’s Village USA, in Beaumont, California.
This village treats severely abused children ages 2-12 from California counties, and gives them a safe place to call home with therapy and structure. The village was a great success that helped many children and was even the topic of the first television special on child abuse in America.
1979
Jimmy Carter designated April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Through the encouragement of Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, President Jimmy Carter designates the first National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Children’s Village USA celebrates its 20th Anniversary.
1980’s
1980
Shortly after the Children’s Village USA opened, it was the subject of a television special on child abuse and neglect called “A Time for Love”. The special aired coast-to-coast and highlighted the intensity of the issue and the key role that Childhelp plays in ending the epidemic.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the Dame Cross of Merit of the Order of St. John of Denmark for outstanding humanitarian work.
1982
Although child abuse had received some media and political attention already, Sara and Yvonne were determined to continue the fight against child abuse. Every time they were able to look into the eyes of a child the organization saved, it was only a reminder of all the other children that still needed their help. With this continual dedication, the Children’s Village USA launched its first national campaign for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Later in the year, the first national toll-free hotline, (1-800) 4-A-Child, was implemented by Children’s Village USA. The hotline still operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offers a wide variety of support resources from only professional crisis counselors answering the calls.
The addition of the hotline was a huge step forward for the Children’s Village USA, as it gave the organization the ability to help children across the country.
The organization continued to find ways to reach children across the nation, including “Child Abuse and You,” a brochure on how to recognize and report child abuse. The brochure was published and distributed nationally along with five educational child abuse booklets targeted to teens and pre-teens were published and circulated to high schools and junior high schools coast-to-coast, including a comic book about child abuse.
To continue their international reach, Children’s Village USA also co-sponsored an International Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect with NATO in France.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the Mary Ellen Award for Excellence in Child Care by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
1983
Children’s Village USA’s name is changed to Childhelp USA to focus on the national programs, and Childhelp International is introduced for international activities. Membership of the International Union for Child Welfare (Childhelp Co-Founders were board members) enables the organization to share expertise with child abuse agencies around the world.
Childhelp establishes the International Alliance on Child Abuse and Neglect, a huge step in helping child abuse on an international level.
They were awarded for leadership in the prevention, treatment and research of child abuse and neglect, nationally and internationally.
Due to their dedication and success thus far, Sara and Yvonne received the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Award.
1984
Childhelp produces and airs a national telethon on child abuse, “Will We Hear Their Cry?”
1985
Childhelp celebrates the opening of its western regional office. It housed the national toll-free hotline and a family evaluation program that provides a complete psycho-social assessment for abused children and their families.
1986
Childhelp continues to grow with the addition of a village after-care program designed to serve children discharged from the village who still require additional support to complete the healing process.
1987
Childhelp opened the first group homes in Orange County, California. Sara and Yvonne worked closely in conjunction with the Department of Children’s Services to create the correct environment to allow the children to heal.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the Excellence for Individual Achievement Award from the Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge.
The founders were given citations from Pope John Paul for “recognition of the dedication to the loving care and commitment to protection of abused children in the world.” The ladies were extremely honored to be recognized by the Pope, and were thrilled by the attention and recognition this would bring to the cause.
1988
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the Crime Victims Week Department of Justice Award, presented by President Ronald Reagan.
1989
Childhelp celebrates its 30th Anniversary for providing direct services to children!
Plans are formulated for an International Research Center to bridge the gap between research and practice. Sara O’Meara is presented with an award by the Queen of England for her work in international collaboration to prevent child abuse.
A specialized foster care program to train Childhelp foster parents is established to ensure that children have successful and bright futures after being placed in a foster home. The program continues to grow throughout the beginning of the 1990’s.
1990’s
1990
Due to the success of the hotline, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline expands, adding a computerized telephone system capable of handling up to 5 million calls a year!
Childhelp expands its specialized foster home program.
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is expanded, adding a computerized telephone system that is capable of handling up to 5 million calls a year.
A joint research partnership with the University of California, Riverside is established.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the National Charity Award from President George H.W. Bush in Washington, D.C.
1991
Childhelp purchases 270-acres of land in Culpeper, Virginia as the site for the new East Coast Village. Childhelp celebrated the groundbreaking of this new residential treatment facility bearing the name of its major benefactor, Alice C. Tyler.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the Kiwanis World Service Medal for their hard work and dedication to making the world a better place.
1992
Childhelp continues to expand its reach by launching the Adult Survivor Program, an on-going therapy and support program for those who have survived abuse.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the Women Who Make a Difference: Women of the Year Award from Family Circle Magazine.
1993
Alice C. Tyler Village of Childhelp East opens in Lignum, Virginia with First Lady, Barbara Bush dedicating the facilities.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the National Caring Award from the National Caring Institute in Washington, D.C. and the Hubert Humphrey Memorial Award from the Touchdown Club of Washington, D.C.
1994
Childhelp Southern Region Office of Knoxville, Tennessee opens its offices with the goal of breaking ground for a children’s advocacy center. This one-stop center for interviewing victims of sexual abuse was one of the first of its kind. The grand opening for the Childhelp Children’s Advocacy Center was held the following year.
1995
A grand opening for the Childhelp Children’s Center of Knoxville, Tennessee is held.
1996
Childhelp leads and participates in the Stand for Children march in Washington, D.C.
Childhelp celebrates the grand opening and dedication of its new headquarters and relocation of the national child abuse hotline to Scottsdale, Arizona.
Children’s Advocacy Center of Manhattan opens in Manhattan, New York.
1997
Childhelp continues its national growth with 110-acres of land in the Smoky Mountains. This land becomes home to the foster care program in East Tennessee. The Alice C. Tyler Village of Childhelp East also opens a new school and an additional cottage, housing 16 more children.
Childhelp is now on the Internet, www.childhelpusa.org
1998
The grand opening and dedication of the Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona is held in November. The advocacy center for children wins the Juvenile Justice Best Practice Award.
Group homes open in Orange County, California.
1999
Grand openings are held for the children’s activity centers at the Village of Childhelp West in Beaumont, California and the Alice C. Tyler Village of Childhelp East in Lignum, Virginia.
New chapters and auxiliaries are chartered across the United States. These continue to develop and grow to this day.
Childhelp USA celebrates its 40th Anniversary.
2000’s
2000
Merv Griffin announces the donation of the internationally-famous Merv Griffin’s Wickenburg Inn and Dude Ranch to Childhelp. The 192-acre property is located within a 4,700-acre private preserve 70 miles northwest of Phoenix. The facility was named, Childhelp Merv Griffin Village of Arizona.
The U.S. House of Representatives passes House Concurrent Resolution 76 with a unanimous vote, supporting the Childhelp National Day of Hope. The National Day of Hope is reserved for people across the nation to take time to say a prayer and observe a moment of silence in remembrance of the children who die every day from abuse and neglect.
The Goodyear Blimp advertises the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD, throughout the year.
2001
The 6,000-square foot Batavia Learning Center opens for the residents of the Alice C. Tyler Village of Childhelp East in Virginia.
Childhelp USA opens its first mobile children’s advocacy center in Tennessee. The advocacy center is the first of its kind in the United States.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Charity Awards Committee in Washington D.C. The founders were nominated due to their continuous contributions in child abuse prevention.
2002
Childhelp celebrates the opening of two additional facilities, the Childhelp Merv Griffin Village of Arizona, as well as the Childhelp Children’s Center of Virginia, an advocacy center for children
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the Champions of Children Award from the National Children’s Alliance.
2003
Childhelp USA Children’s Mobile Advocacy Center begins services in northern Arizona. The center provides relief and refers treatment options to abused and neglected children.
2004
Silence Broken, the story of Childhelp’s beginning written by Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, is published.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the Arizona Foundation of Women’s Sandra Day O’Connor Award. The founders were recognized for touching the lives of women and children.
2005
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson are nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Childhelp opens a therapeutic foster care program in Michigan for abused and neglected children.
Childhelp USA holds their inaugural Drive the Dream Gala in conjunction with the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, becoming the organization’s largest annual fundraiser.
2006
Childhelp USA changes its name to Childhelp to engage international efforts. A new logo is adopted and the Childhelp Web site is redesigned.
Lifetime Television debuts the movie “For the Love of a Child”, the story of Sara and Yvonne and Childhelp’s early days in Japan and Vietnam. The film was ranked the number one show by Nielsen Media Research.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson are nominated a second time for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Childhelp initiates legislation to authorize the establishment of a national registry following child abusers from state to state. The registry is enacted by President George W. Bush.
Childhelp initiates legislation to authorize the establishment of a national registry that will follow child abusers from state to state. It was enacted by President George W. Bush under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.
Childhelp acquires the Good-Touch/Bad-Touch® curriculum from Prevention and Motivation, Inc. and begins providing the abuse prevention program to local schools under the Childhelp name.
Childhelp Wings, a mother-daughter philanthropic group started by Childhelp board member Carol Hebets, is founded.
Childhelp expands its foster care programs in Tennessee and California.
2009
Childhelp celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a celebration concert at the Warner Theatre.
The concert featured multiple Grammy award winning singer/songwriter David Foster and other special guests. This event was recorded by BET.
Childhelp launches End Child Abuse Now national bus tour.
Sara receives an Honorary Doctorate from Endicott College in Massachusetts, which she attended.
2008
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the Clarins 2008 Most Dynamic Woman Award by Clarins USA.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson are nominated a fourth time for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Childhelp Children’s Center of Virginia relocates to a new, larger facility in Fairfax County to meet rising demands.
Childhelp acquires Childhelp Crystal Darkness, a meth prevention and awareness documentary and campaign that broadcasts in states and regions around North America. There is a strong tie between meth users and child abusers.
2007
Childhelp celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD.
Childhelp acquires Phoenix-based Southwest Leadership Foundation, expanding programs, facilities and resources.
Childhelp opens the Childhelp River Bridge Advocacy Center in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, serving Colorado communities.
Childhelp launches a Childhelp Alert System which proactively notifies subscribers when a registered sex offender moves into their neighborhood.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the Frank E. Moss Humanitarian Award from the Caring Institute in Denver.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson are nominated a third time for the Nobel Peace Prize.
2010’s
2010
Childhelp co-founders Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson are nominated for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Childhelp is awarded the U.S. Department of Education Grant to completely revamp the “Good Touch, Bad Touch” prevention education program to address up-to-the-minute concerns such as Internet predators and bullying.
Florida becomes the first state to mandate prevention education in every school in the entire state (over 400 school districts). Out of many possible options, the well-researched Childhelp “Speak Up, Be Safe!” curriculum is chosen as the official prevention education program for Florida.
Childhelp receives a critical voice on Governor Jan Brewer’s Arizona Child Safety Task Force with the appointment of Childhelp’s Vice President of Prevention Programs. The task force brings together 19 experts in the field and is tasked with developing a plan for child safety reform in Arizona.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson win the Congressional Angels in Adoption Award in Washington D.C.
Childhelp partners with development teams at Arizona State University to create Childhelp “Speak Up Be Safe!” The new program offers a 21st century approach to the prevention of abuse by utilizing web-based tools, curriculum on Internet safety skills and cyber-bullying. Curriculum, materials and training capsules are launched to schools throughout the country, promoting a redirected focus on adult responsibility and skill building in keeping our children safe.
Childhelp Co-Founders are nominated a fifth time for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson receive the Global Women’s Summit Humanitarian Award.
Childhelp honors Nancy Reagan with special 50th Anniversary Award.
At the Governor’s Convention, Childhelp spearheads successful anti-abuse legislation. In an unprecedented show of bipartisan support, each governor from every state in the Union signs the Governor’s Resolution to Eradicate Child Abuse.
2012
Childhelp wins the North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of The Year Award.
The Childhelp Celebrity Golf Invitational is launched and becomes an annual fundraising event hosted by actors Cheryl Ladd and John O’Hurley.
Childhelp launches a new “Speak Up Be Safe!” prevention program for Athletes on Child Abuse as a response to abuse in youth athletics. This lifesaving educational curriculum was underwritten by Olympic consultants, The Foundation for Global Sports Development.
2013
Sara and Yvonne are awarded the Torch 1975, Inc. Nonprofit Certificate of Recognition in honor of “Outstanding, dedicated, diligent and inspirational service to orphans and children of the Vietnam War.”
Sara and Yvonne are awarded honorary doctorates from Northcentral University.
2014
Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe introduces an innovative online platform for training and curriculum materials to be introduced into more schools nationwide.
With funding from Origami Owl, Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe introduced an innovative platform for training and curriculum materials to be introduced into more schools nationwide.
The Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona moves to a building shared with the City of Phoenix Family Advocacy Center to provide better care to clients, and Childhelp Headquarters moves from its location in north Scottsdale to Phoenix.
The Childhelp Community Center begins offering the high-impact Strengthening Families Program to help area families build parenting skills and healthier family dynamics. The center’s role expands in the community as it grows to better meet the needs of families in Avondale.
A grant from Fidelity National Title allows a complete update and expansion of childhelp.org, providing additional information on Childhelp and child abuse prevention to visitors worldwide.
The Childhelp Hollywood Resource and Training Center begins offering its after school program, as well as offering bilingual parenting classes in Spanish and English.
With a generous grant from the Dean family, Childhelp Merv Griffin Village installs a covered arena to offer shade to children during equine-assisted therapy underwritten by Shirley and John Dean.
The Childhelp Foster Family Agency of Tennessee builds on its successes with increased outcome-based funding for exceptional performance as evidenced by high permanency rates and other measures.
2015
Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe Prevention Program continues to expand and enrich its offerings with age-appropriate content now for students PreK-12 and improved facilitator training.
Meanwhile, funding from the Melani and Rob Walton Fund of the Walton Family Foundation provides opportunities to expand Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe for Athletes with an eye toward outcome-based successes.
The Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona is rededicated in honor of Linda Pope, longtime benefactor of Childhelp’s mission.
With funding from a Parent’s Commission Grant, the Childhelp Community Center provides families the Strengthening Families program in tandem with Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe, all while providing a unique research opportunity into program outcomes by experts from ASU.
With grants from a single angel investor, The Childhelp Alice C. Tyler Village and the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline improve facilities, expand services and enrich staff training.
Childhelp Merv Griffin Village reaches new records for service delivery, graduating 81 students two years running.
2016
Sara and Yvonne win the AAA 5 Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality for their service to children.
Sara and Yvonne awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution Women in History Award.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey proclamation formally acknowledging the Childhelp National Day of Hope in the State of Arizona.
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline opens a second office in Washington D.C. as the hotline expands texting services.
Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe, in conjunction with Arizona State University researchers, undertakes pilot project to gather evidence for impact measurement and improvement.
Childhelp Merv Griffin Village receives technological upgrade and new curriculum implementations to enhance e-classroom learning.
Childhelp Tennessee joins the Alliance for Better Nonprofits.
2019
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline launches text and online chat services nationwide.
U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity chooses Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe as their official abuse prevention curriculum for military base schools.
Tennessee Senate issues proclamation celebrating Childhelp’s 60 years of service.
Childhelp wins 2019 AZ Business Angels Awards – Nonprofit of the Year (Education and Youth).
Childhelp’s prevention program, Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe is now in 18 different countries.
2017
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, in its 35th year, joins the National Hotline Consortium.
Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe for Athletes partners with Arizona Interscholastic Association to expand delivery of prevention education to thousands of youth athletes across Arizona.
Childhelp Alice C. Tyler Village is named “2017 Nonprofit of the Year” by the Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce.
2018
After successful launch, Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe for Athletes partners with Foundation for Global Sports Development to bring the youth athletics prevention education to every state in America.
The Council on Accreditation grants four-year accreditation for eight Childhelp Programs, recognizing Childhelp as a provider with high standards, effective stewardship of resources, and high-quality service delivery.
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline pilots online webchat services across Arizona, wins multi-year, multi-million dollar innovation grant to expand and research chat and text capabilities
Childhelp Co-Founders are nominated a ninth time for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Current Day
2020
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline became a lifeline for children, families, and survivors during the coronavirus pandemic, seeing up to 43% increases in calls as national child welfare lines showed decreases.
Today
Childhelp remains true to their vision. The internationally respected nonprofit is the largest organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect as well as at-risk children. Though it has grown beyond their wildest dreams, CEO and Chairman, Sara O’Meara, and President, Yvonne Fedderson, who still work every day for this critical cause, have never forgotten those eleven little orphans in a storm that inspired their mission of hope.