Formerly Rest Haven Children's Health Fund

Children’s Health Foundation

Children’s Health Foundation

About Us

Meeting the changing needs of children since 1909.

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Founded in 1909 and led by the vision of Florence〝Ma〞Mead, Children's Health Foundation (formerly Rest Haven Preventorium for Children) began as a healthcare facility for children affected by tuberculosis. As medical advances changed the need for a preventorium, the organization evolved.


In 1953, proceeds from the sale of the facility created an endowment dedicated to helping children receive essential healthcare when other funding wasn’t available. Today, that mission continues across San Diego and Imperial Counties.

As children’s needs continue to evolve, so does our approach. We remain committed to identifying unmet health-related needs and filling critical gaps in care so more children receive the support they deserve.

The foundation behind the foundation.

Behind every grant, partnership, and program is a shared set of beliefs. Explore the principles that guide our work.

Mission Statement:
Our mission is to advance the health and well-being of children in San Diego and Imperial Counties by filling gaps in funding to ensure no child goes without essential care, supporting innovative programs, and empowering communities to build a healthier, brighter future for every child.

Explore our Vision

We believe prevention is one of the most effective forms of care. By supporting early intervention and preventive programs, we help children thrive before challenges become lifelong obstacles.

We value preventative care to address health issues before they arise, empowering children to reach their full potential.

Children thrive when communities work together. We partner with nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, and community leaders to help address unmet needs and create lasting impact.

We listen, learn, and use data to better understand the evolving needs of children and families. Those insights help guide where and how we invest our resources.

Children’s needs continue to change, and so do we. We remain flexible and responsive so we can address emerging challenges and opportunities as they arise.

Every child and family has a unique story. We lead with compassion, listening carefully, and responding with understanding, respect, and care.

Every dollar entrusted to us carries a responsibility. We are committed to using our resources wisely to maximize their impact for children and families.

Trust is earned through openness and accountability. We are committed to operating with integrity and sharing how donations, decisions, and outcomes create meaningful impact.

We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards in everything we do. Honesty, fairness, and respect guide our relationships with donors, partners, and the communities we serve.

Our goal is to create lasting change, not temporary solutions. We invest in programs, partnerships, and initiatives that strengthen the long-term health and well-being of children in our communities.

Experience is most valuable when it’s shared.

Our volunteer Board of Directors brings decades of leadership and expertise to help guide Children's Health Foundation. Meeting three times each year, the Board provides governance and strategic oversight while Executive Director Cass Kaminetz leads the Foundation's day-to-day operations, programs and annual grants.

Meet the volunteer leaders who help guide Children’s Health Foundation. The year shown indicates when each member joined the Board.

Cass Kaminetz

Executive Director

Christine Bryant Nelissen

Chair, Retired President & CEO

2007

Stephen O'Kane

Vice President, Community Health Consultant

2010

Mark Emch

Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, Retired

2018

Alison F. Gildred

Secretary, Community Volunteer

2007

David N. Allsbrook III

Immediate Past President and Board Member

1993

Jenifer Barsell

Marketing and Communications Director

2026

Stuart Cohen, M.D.

Pediatrician

2024

Derek Danziger

President, Danziger Public Relations

2023

Randall Gorman

Commercial Real Estate Finance & Investment Advisor

2012

Scott Noya

Retired Real Estate Attorney

2012

Mary M. O’Connor, D.D.S.

Pediatric Dentist

2015

Karrin Ryan

Market Administration Manager

2012

George J. Stratigopoulos, D.D.S.

Dentist

2015

Harold Tuck

Retired Public Official

2003

Paul R. Wozniak, M.D.

Neonatologist

2009

Mac Peterson

Honorary Member

Acknowledgement

Children’s Health Foundation gratefully acknowledges the San Diego History Center for providing the historical photographs featured above from the Rest Haven Preventorium Collection, Booth Historical Photograph Archives.