CCF in Action: Two Grants Benefit At-Risk Kids
EARLIER THIS YEAR, the CoServ Charitable Foundation (CCF) distributed grants to Stepping Stones Foundation and CASA of Collin County that will provide critical assistance to at-risk teenagers and children.
Stepping Stones Foundation
Through photography, Christina Bynum-Breaux found her life’s mission: Helping homeless or disadvantaged children. What started as a photoshoot of some middle school students in 1999 evolved into accepting those children into her home and heart. That led her to start the Stepping Stones Foundation in 2009.
As the Founder and one of seven Board Members, she ensures the teenagers, who primarily come from Keller and Northwest ISDs, are loved, cared for, and put on a path to success.
She listens to their stories – all different but all heartbreaking. She provides food, rental assistance – whatever they need.
Her eyes light up as she talks about her biggest success stories, such as a young man who now has a driver’s license, a car, a GED and a job with a city water department. Another owns his own roofing company with several employees.
This is what keeps her going through the tough times. That, and the support from the community.
Stepping Stones Foundation’s biggest expense is mental health to help teenagers work through the trauma.
“We can’t help these children until we get them in a better place mentally,” Christina said. “Then we start on other things, like dental work and optometry.”
The Stepping Stones Foundation in Keller relies on grants and donations to provide assistance to at-risk youth.
For the past two years, Stepping Stones has received CoServ Charitable Foundation (CCF) grants totaling $15,000 to help pay for medical, dental, vision, and education assistance for at-risk youth.
CASA of Collin County
Volunteering for CASA of Collin County can be tragic because of the stories. But also rewarding and fulfilling because you know you helped a child in ways no one else could.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers act as advocates for abused and neglected children. When it’s time for the court to decide the child’s placement, the CASA volunteer testifies in the child’s best interest.
“People have all different reasons to volunteer,” said Tricia Clifton, CEO and President of CASA of Collin County. “Maybe they were a victim of abuse themselves at one point. Maybe they knew a family member or maybe they took a child in. Maybe they just wanted to do something deeper, bigger. We get a whole range of answers, honestly.”
The organization is assigned 300 to 400 foster children a year. These children could be relocated to foster homes or family members across Texas and the United States. In 2024, CASA of Collin County volunteers logged 158,000 miles while serving as advocates for children in the foster system.
The CoServ Charitable Foundation (CCF) has been a long-time partner of CASA of Collin County, awarding over $76,000 in grants since 2014. Most recently, CCF awarded grants in 2023 and 2024.
“These volunteers play an important, often overlooked role in our community to ensure all children live in safe homes where they can flourish,” said Jennifer Ebert, CCF Coordinator. “This perfectly aligns with CCF’s mission, specifically Meeting Basic Human Needs, so we are proud to partner with CASA of Collin County.”
The 2023 grant purchased audio and video equipment for the conference room at CASA’s headquarters in downtown McKinney. Training is essential for CASA volunteers, and the new technology improves their presentations, making it possible to record them.
The 2024 grant purchased Remarkable writing tablets for the volunteers. The tablets are used to easily access notes and documents while in interviews or courtrooms.
“CoServ has definitely made our lives easier, even with something as simple as a projector,” Tricia said. “And the Remarkables have been a lifesaver. It saves time that they’re able to further dedicate back to the children.”
Grants like the one that went to CASA are made possible because of the CoServ Members and Customers who round their bills up to the nearest dollar as part of Operation Roundup (ORU). The pennies you donate each month add up to more than $1 million each year and make a huge impact on your community!