Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts Goes Go-Funding, Go-Mentoring for Big Day Giving

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts’ Sacramento Campus joins the Children’s Receiving Home (CRH) during Sacramento’s annual Big Day of Giving Thursday, May 6, promoting funding and mentorship at the agency’s Sacramento headquarters.

In an outdoor welcome space for friends of the agency to drive up, park, have a cup of coffee, eat, and proffer support under a popup tent, Abraham Cicchetti, Sacramento Campus Director, presented CRH a $1,300 check and a neighborly hand on behalf of Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. More so, Cicchetti cast a vision for an alliance between Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts and CRH—a partnership providing ongoing outings for children.

He says it would be an alliance—a space for children to think about something else, be mentored, learn about healthcare, and have fun. “We are looking to support our youth in the community. Our mission is to be a positive influence and show these young people that they have a choice and their circumstances do not define them,” says Cicchetti. Cicchetti is currently drawing up ideas with his staff to come alongside the child-advocating entity and align more relevantly for abused and neglected children.

“Unfortunately, community engagement has been stifled this past year due to the Pandemic. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts aims to show these young people that their community fully supports them,” says Cicchetti. “Why not invest our time and love now, as a community, into them?” he asks, “Children are the future and may be able to create long-term solutions for societal issues we face today, including healthcare,” Cicchetti notes.

CRH of Sacramento provides a spectrum of services for youth in crisis across the Sacramento region. Founded in 1944 through a cooperative effort of the Junior League of Sacramento and the Rotary Club of Sacramento, CRH has risen to meet specific needs for over 76 years.¹ “Years of toxic stress, few positive role models, and a lack of resources can leave youth teetering between a productive adulthood and life on the streets,” says Danielle McGarrity, CRH’s Development director. “We encourage and support our teens’ higher education pursuits and are excited to partner with Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts to expose them to new career opportunities they may not have considered.” McGarrity, echos Cicchetti’s optimism for youth, stating, “Youth represent 25 percent of our population, but 100 percent of our future.”

CRH’s current funding goal for Big Day of Giving aims to earn enough money to replace a non-functional pool with a new aquatic water center encouraging healthy development and physical activity. The conversion will provide additional green space for CRH outdoor activities. “We’re tremendously grateful to Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts for selecting the youth we serve as a beneficiary of their philanthropy this year,” says Glynis Butler-Stone, the agency’s Chief Executive officer, overseeing services for families and children experiencing trauma. “When these children know their basic needs are taken care of, they are free to focus their energy on school, dream big dreams, and ultimately become successful and fulfilled adults,” she says.

Sacramento Student Affairs assistant Cayli Xiong created a GoFundMe Fundraiser with co-worker Claudine Parungao and Radiologic Technology student Megan McGrew. “CRH immediately stood out to us [Xiong, Parungao, and McGrew] because of their compassion and dedication to provide services to children who have dealt with or are dealing with issues that often go unspoken,” Xiong says. “There are many ways to donate, and they tell you exactly what and where those donations go, which gave us the reassurance and confidence we needed to proceed with our partnership.”

Sacramento’s Big Day of Giving occurs on the first Thursday in May. Want to join the effort? Individuals and organizations may help by becoming a Big Giving Day sponsor, building a personal fundraising page, making donations via their website, and sharing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Gurnick Academy is a private academy offering quality allied health, imaging, and nursing programs operating six campuses in California with locations in San Mateo, Modesto, Fresno, Concord, Sacramento, and Van Nuys.

Citations
¹ “What We Do and Who We Are.” n.d. Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento. Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento. Accessed May 5, 2021. https://www.crhkids.org/about-us.