KATHRYN L. KURKA
CHILDREN’S HEALTH FUND
Our Mission Statement
To provide full or partial cost of vision, dental, or medical care for children who lack financial resources, public or private.
Our History
In 1955, Kathryn L. Kurka, Nursing Coordinator in East Los Angeles, seeing the great need for vision, medical and dental care for underprivileged students in her area, started soliciting funds to cover the costs for these uninsured children.
By 1978, Kay was appointed Director of District Nursing Services for all of LAUSD and extended the Kurka Fund to cover needy students district-wide.
In 1984, the Kathryn L. Kurka Children’s Health Fund was incorporated as a non-profit organization.
To date, the Kurka Fund has serviced over 50,000 children in the LAUSD school district, and continues to serve thousands each year in the following areas:
• Vision
• Dental
• Medical
• Mental health
• Immunizations
As an addition to the services provided by the Kurka Fund, in 2004 we began funding the two PTA Clinics. The 10th District PTA Clinic has two locations in the San Fernando Valley, and the 31st PTA Clinic has two locations in downtown Los Angeles. All LAUSD students are free to utilize these clinics, with payment on a sliding scale basis. Funding from the Kathryn L. Kurka Children’s Health Fund enhances the services that they are able to provide.
Our Operations
School nurses working directly with the students to determine the student’s needs. A meeting is held with the parents to determine their financial eligibility. The School Nurse then initiates funding with a telephone call to District Nursing Services, along with the proper paperwork. Students and parents are free to choose their own doctor or to use one of the PTA Clinics, also partially funded by the Kathryn L. Kurka Fund.
Our Funding
The annual Sharing Brings Hope Consolidated Charitable Campaign of the Los Angeles Unified School District is our main funding source. The generous employees of LAUSD who contribute via Payroll Deduction are an extremely important part of this total, along with cash contributions from employees and students.
We also receive Corporate and Foundation grants. The remainder of our funding comes from honorary contributions, gifts, memorials and our two annual special events, the Annual Retirement Dinner and the Fashion Show.
Help Us Help Kids!
Through the care and guidance of school nurses, and your generous donations, the Kathryn L. Kurka Children’s Health Fund is able to help kids in the LAUSD school system who might otherwise go without the medical, dental and vision care they need.
Please help us help kids! We wouldn’t be able to do it without you!
Because We Care...
We are an all-volunteer agency of school nurses working directly with LAUSD students.
Quotes from grateful students:
“I didn’t know grass had individual blades!”
…Peggy, on receiving glasses for the first time.
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“My teeth were so terrible I hated to smile. After receiving help from you, I am able to smile again. Thank you very much for everything and I will not stop smiling.”
…Bernadette
“I love modern dance, but the 6th toe on my feet was so embarrassing when I danced. Thank you for helping me. Now I can dance without my shoes.”
…Maria
“With my new glasses, I can see the leaves on the tree move in the wind”.
…Dashawn
Administrative Fee: 0%
Pass Through Fee: 10%
(For donations made to non-member charities.)
Kathryn L. Kurka
Children’s Health Fund
P.O. Box #39531
Los Angelese, CA 90039
Phone: 818-955-6500
Alternate Phone: 818-768-3735
Fax: 818-955-5127
Tax I.D. #: 95-4147257
Website: www.kurkachildrenshealthfund.orgTravel Website: www.travelforkurka.org
This fund also supports the PTA clinics which serve all LAUSD students.
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