#OneSkyHeroes Profile: UCLA China Care Bruins
The amazing China Care Bruins have been supporting OneSky for over 15 years! We are so grateful for the incredible impact they are making in the lives of children. In a difficult school year, we are especially inspired by all who take part in our Students for OneSky network. Thank you for giving your time and for speaking up for children.
It’s OneSky’s pleasure to give this platform to the China Care Bruins to introduce themselves.
How did it all begin?
The China Care Bruins (CCB) was founded in 2005 at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus in Westwood. It was the first West Coast chapter of China Care Foundation’s network of campus clubs. China Care Bruins collaborated with Families with Children from China-Southern California (FCC-SoCal) to create the youth mentorship “Buddy Program.”
What began as a small club where “big buddy” adoptees played and interacted with young adoptees, quickly became an award-winning mentorship model. In 2009, the national China Care Foundation affiliated with the OneSky Foundation. As our club grew, we began to explore more areas where we could volunteer our time and services.
Soon our new fundraising program started supporting life-changing surgeries for orphans in China. As a result, CCB received the 2011 Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy Award from Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy and the Asian Pacific Community Fund.
In recent years, our club has swelled to roughly 40 little buddies and 55 UCLA student volunteers. New divisions of our club have been created such as Outreach, where we spread awareness of adoption, and Social, which builds relationships between members.
How do you help OneSky help children?
CCB supports OneSky through yearly donations of up to $1,800, which we use to sponsor two children. We also have former members who went on the OneSky student volunteer trips to China where they helped OneSky-trained staff care for children at the China Care Home in Beijing.
In addition, FCC-SoCal supports OneSky with annual donations and special fundraisers.
Why is OneSky special to you?
We recognize the value of OneSky for providing long term nurturing care for children living in orphanages and other disadvantaged situations. Because our little buddies are adopted, we see the importance of helping OneSky support children with an environment providing all the loving care needed at a young age.
How are “these difficult times” affecting your support?
Due to the pandemic and social distancing, UCLA CCB has adjusted mentorship, social, and outreach events by making them online. It has been difficult to arrange time online for all events as we have members all across the world, but we are trying to make it as inclusive as possible. We have also adjusted fundraising efforts for One Sky by getting creative with online fundraising.
Can we pass on some thank yous on your behalf?
We’d love to thank the SoCal Chapter of Families with Children from China for helping start China Care Bruins and continuing to support the mentorship program in every possible way! We also couldn’t have made such progress without our past and present Family Liaisons, Jeri Okamoto and Marie Hsing, who have been coordinating with us and creating beautiful memories over the last few years! And we have to thank the families of China Care Bruins for giving us the opportunity to form a bond with them and we have always amazed us by their generosity and support!
And thank you too China Care Bruins from everyone at OneSky – your support and dedication is inspirational. To get more involved, or start your own Students for OneSky club, join our Students for OneSky network today!
