By Copper Williams
Erin Guy Castillo is a Stocktonian on a mission. That mission has led her to become a board member and vice-president with the Mary Graham Children’s Foundation. What is Erin’s aim? To help the children of the San Joaquin County who have fallen on the hardest times of all.
Erin was raised in Stockton and has spent her entire childhood in the local school systems. Even her college years first began at Delta. She used one of their many transfer programs to enroll in California State University, Fullerton and then onto University of San Francisco, School of Law. But, after graduation, building a family and living in a variety of places both in and out of state, Erin decided it was time to move back to her hometown in 2009. It was here in Stockton that she began her efforts in reaching out to her community.
“I feel very fortunate,” Erin says. “I have a profession that gives me financial freedom and independence. I knew, when my husband and I came back, that we were here for the long haul.” It was this drive to support her community that eventually drew Erin to the Mary Graham Children’s Foundation.
The Mary Graham Children’s Foundation is an organization that was first established in 2001 to provide better housing for at-risk youth in San Joaquin County. But, over time, its reach extended. The non-profit now serves two main functions: Scholarship Funds and helping out the Mary Graham Children’s Shelter. The scholarships provide children reaching adulthood with the chance to continue on with their education. This extends to other living expenses like car repairs or a new computer. Scholarship recipients are also given an adult mentor for ongoing guidance and support. Small, but crucial, things that many people don’t think twice about.
And some of the most important parts of life can stem from the little things. This is the second function that the organization strives to bring to the Shelter that host these children. “Birthdays. Kid’s games, going out to eat. These kids don’t have that chance. We’re able to give money to make that childhood happen.” A childhood that, Erin knows, many children don’t receive when they’re in the system. “I really wanted to do something that helped kids. And these kids, in particular, are ones who are there through no fault of their own.”
In 2012, just two years after moving back home, Erin became a member of the board, rallying support for MGCF’s charity drives to support their outreach programs. “We have the money to help provide these services. It’s been really important for me to not only provide the services, but get the word out to San Joaquin foster youth that we exist.” All the effort really pays off for Erin when she’s able to see the kids she’s worked so hard for become successful in their own way.
And there’s no doubt that Erin is big on making a difference in her community. When she isn’t working diligently to help our youth, she’s using her time to participate in it. Don’t be surprised to find her taking a long jog with friends around town or savoring a sip from one of the many wineries in our county. She’s a huge fan of where she’s from. “Stockton! There is a special spot, always, in my heart for Stockton.”
For More Information:
The Mary Graham Children’s Foundation
(209) 373-6821
MaryGrahamFoundation.org