Recognizing the serious need for education and training in the areas of pediatric trauma and injury prevention, the Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation established the Pediatric Trauma Program (PTP) in 1994. Our mission is to develop local projects, which will reduce the number of children in our district who are killed or injured by trauma.
Utilizing the knowledge and expertise of our partner hospitals, the Foundation identifies projects the Kiwanis family can undertake to address the issue of Pediatric Trauma within their own communities. The Foundation's partnership with childrens hospitals in Oakland, San Diego, Loma Linda, Madera, Honolulu and Reno connect the Kiwanis family to the issue of Pediatric Trauma.
The Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation works closely with our partner hospitals to provide funding to train pediatric doctors, nurses and first responders, to purchase much-needed pediatric medical equipment and to create or expand community outreach programs.
All of this is only possible due to the generous support of our clubs and members. Donations earmarked for PTP are spent in three major areas: grants to our partner hospitals; grants to Kiwanis and Service Leadership Program clubs; and PTP safety items which are available for purchase by the Kiwanis family at a subsidized cost. Did you know?
Unintentional injury is the #1 killer of children age 14 and under in the U.S.
Unintentional injury kills more children every year than any other cause - including disease, homicide and suicide!
90% of these unintentional injuries can be prevented
Project Jump Start “Making a difference: One Baby Step At a Time”
The most crucial years in a person’s life are the beginning years. It is essential that during this time a child is given the best opportunities possible. That is why Cali-Nev-Ha has committed its next two years to focusing on the first 5 years of a child’s life. In doing so, we will be participating on levels from community to international. This project focuses on children’s education, health, safety, and well being. We will give children equal opportunity so that they can have a fresh and vibrant beginning: a Jump Start.
With the District Project’s focus on children, ages 1 - 5, getting involved with the Eliminate Project is a perfect way to participate in “Jump Start”. The idea of “Jump Start” is to have an effect on our communities, not only locally, but worldwide! One way to do this is by aiding UNICEF in the fight to eliminate MNT. The goal of the Eliminate Project is to immunize mothers and babies so that no mother will have to deal with the pain and loss of child to tetanus. Eradicating MNT could save the lives of thousands of babies and give each baby a fair chance at life, a goals that corresponds very closely to the goal of “Jump Start” This is why any project done to help with the causes of the Eliminate Project will also be considered as a service event for the District Project.
Project Shine "Bringing light into someone's life"
Bringing Light into Someone’s Life focuses on individuals with special needs, whether it is academically, physically, or mentally. As Key Clubbers who become dedicated to this project focus on helping those with disabilities, we can now be the leaders and examples in our schools and communities on how we should be treating those with special needs, and how to help and support them as best we can. As Key Clubbers, our motto is “Caring- Our Way of Life”. Those with some type of disability need people to care for them and to show them acceptance. We now have the chance to exemplify our motto and truly live up to it.
And, besides directly helping those with special needs, we can also work on educating and spreading awareness to people in our community about the different disabilities. It would offer people a better understanding on the various types, which in turn can lead them to be more empathetic and understanding. Overall, our District Project is helping to unite people with differences, and to also help to change the negative ways people with special needs are treated.
The Eliminate Project "eliMiNaTe"
With The Eliminate Project, Kiwanis International and UNICEF have joined forces to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. This deadly disease steals the lives of nearly 60,000 innocent babies and a significant number of women each year. The effects of the disease are excruciating — tiny newborns suffer repeated, painful convulsions and extreme sensitivity to light and touch.
To eliminate MNT from the Earth, more than 100 million mothers and their future babies must be immunized. This requires vaccines, syringes, safe storage, transportation, thousands of skilled staff and more. It will take US$110 million — and the dedicated work of UNICEF and every member of the Kiwanis family.
Kiwanis and UNICEF joined forces to tackle iodine deficiency disorders, achieving one of the most significant public health successes of the 20th century. Now, they are eliminating MNT from the face of the Earth. And in doing so, the project will reach the poorest, most neglected mothers and babies with additional lifesaving health care. The end of this one disease means the beginning of better health for so many families.