Wells Fargo Puts Kids Center Stage in 2012 Tournament of Roses® Parade

Dec. 21, 2011 - PRLog -- (Altadena, Calif.) — Wells Fargo will provide the experience of a lifetime for four children who receive treatment and education at Five Acres, an Altadena-based child and family services agency.  They will ride on board the iconic Wells Fargo stagecoach as entry No. 12 in the 123rd annual Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 2, in Pasadena, Calif.

The children — Elizabeth Marie Switzer, 12, of Burbank; Tyree Carter, 13, of Altadena; Jennifer Lancaster, 17, of Covina; and Brenda Garcia, 18, of Pasadena – are the latest to climb aboard the Wells Fargo stagecoach on Jan. 2  as passengers, reflecting a long-standing relationship between Five Acres and Wells Fargo. A corporate sponsor for many of the agency’s fundraising events, Wells Fargo team member, Ryan Dietz, who serves on the nonprofit’s board of directors, also will ride atop the stagecoach with newly appointed Five Acres CEO Chanel Boutakidis.

“I’m proud of Wells Fargo’s involvement in our local communities and for providing these great kids a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Ryan Dietz, Wells Fargo senior vice president and nine-year board member of Five Acres. “The hours I have spent as a volunteer for the agency are nothing compared to what I have received back in return.”

Boutakidis states, “while the actual parade route is 5.5 miles long, our Five Acres kids have come such a long way on their life journeys, recovering from abuse, neglect and trauma. As they board the Wells Fargo stagecoach, we applaud them for their courage and determination. What an inspiring way to welcome the New Year!”

“I look forward to Chanel’s leadership and vision to grow the organization so that ultimately Five Acres can help more families and children in our community,” said Dietz.

The children who will ride in the parade all receive services from the non-profit agency to help them cope with traumatic events that have happened in their past. Elizabeth lived in more than 10 foster homes prior to being adopted when she was 10 years old. She, along with her two siblings, met their adoptive parents at an adoption fair. With the help of Five Acres, her adoption was finalized. Elizabeth, who wants to become a therapist when she grows up, has received individual and family therapy from Five Acres, which has helped her deal with the events that happened in her life prior to her adoption.

Tyree is part of Five Acres’ pilot program, “Open Doors,” a residential-based service that is getting him prepared for a foster or adoptive home. Tyree was detained at birth and lived in seven foster homes. He found it hard to move because he only stayed in each home for less than a year. His new year’s resolution: to find a home and a permanent, loving family.

Jennifer was placed in foster care at birth due to her biological mother’s testing positive for drugs. Relative caregivers were located and she was adopted by her maternal grandfather and step-grandmother at the age of six. Due to this traumatic experience, Jennifer developed an eating disorder. Jennifer and her family sought adoption support services at Five Acres which include individual and family therapy, support groups for teenage girls who have been adopted and education support services. With Five Acres’ help, Jennifer has learned valuable life lessons which have helped her stay positive and advance academically.

Prior to coming to Five Acres, Brenda lived with her father who was depressed mourning her mother’s death. At 10 years of age she became the mother to her younger siblings and was forced by her father to sell illegal drugs at school. After six years of selling drugs, arms trading, mothering her siblings, and the traumas of domestic abuse, she realized that she needed to find a way out of life as she knew it. Brenda found Five Acres and participates in its Teen Trainer program, advocating for other foster youth and helping to empower them. With support and therapy from Five Acres staff, Brenda has been able to overcome her fears and heal the traumas of the past. Brenda is a student at Pasadena City College and hopes to have a career in the judicial system.

About Wells Fargo:
Wells Fargo & Company  is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. With more than 270,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in America. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 23 on Fortune’s 2011 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.  

About Five Acres:
Five Acres is a child and family services agency that strengthens families and prevents child abuse through treatment and education in community-based and residential programs. Originally established as an orphanage in 1888, today Five Acres offers an array of services including a residential treatment center, a non-public WASC-accredited school, mental health services, foster care, adoption services and domestic violence prevention. For more information on ways to help, contact Kristina Sarenas at ksarenas@5acres.org or (626) 798-6793 ext. 2279.