Frank Watters & Mary Anne Houx Children’s Fund
History
The Frank Watters & Mary Anne Houx Children’s Trust Fund was established in 1994 to help prevent child abuse and neglect in Butte County. The Fund supports local 501(C)3 non-profit agencies by creating opportunities to strengthen services and supports for children and families in our community.
The Children’s Trust Fund honors Frank Watters, an economics professor at California State University, Chico, and Mary Anne Houx, a longtime member of the Butte County Board of Supervisors. Both believed that when community members are given a clear and meaningful way to help, they are eager to play a role in preventing child abuse and neglect and supporting families.
Collaboration
The Children’s Trust Fund is supported through community donations, including voluntary contributions made through property tax bill inserts. This collaborative effort is made possible by the Butte County Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) and:
Fiscal year 2025–2026
160 donors
$15,521 in donations
Thanks to the generous support of our community donors, nine local non-profit agencies were awarded funding in 2026. Click on each agency name to learn more about the meaningful work made possible by our donors.
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Host a free Back-to-School Community Event in August 2026 that historically has served a vast amount youth and families across Butte County. Funds will support the provision of backpacks, school supplies, clothing, hygiene items, food, and local community resource materials.
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Implement fatherhood-focused programming through the Men's Legacy Center, including a "Dad's Night Out" event. Funds will support participant incentives, materials, and engagement activities to help fathers strengthen parenting skills, manage stress, and build healthy relationships.
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Establish an emergency supply of diapers and diapering essentials for families with young children accessing shelter and housing support programs.
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Expand the Family Program by training a staff member in the Nurturing Parenting curriculum and offer parenting workshop sessions for parents and caregivers engaged in their program.
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Offer the evidence-based Resourceful Adolescent Program (RAP) to local youth and families. Funds will provide 2–3 six-week group sessions and support the purchase of participant workbooks, supplies, incentives, and meals to ensure every participant can fully engage.
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Provide school age kids with backpacks and school supplies to ensure families have what they need to start the school year strong at the annual Peb Family Fun Day event.
hmongculturalcenter.net -
Operate seasonal youth camps serving of children and youth of varying ages, and their caregivers. Funds will support curriculum, supplies, meals, backpacks, hygiene items, and family engagement activities across a 1-week spring camp and 8-week summer camp.
jordancrossingministries.us -
Implement the Promotores program through ongoing weekly group sessions serving youth and their families through a multi-generational model. Funds will support program supplies, food for sessions, and food baskets for families to reduce barriers and address basic needs.
nvcss.org -
Distribute hygiene kits packed with essential personal care items to approximately 250 children through the annual backpack giveaway event, supporting student health, confidence, and school readiness.
valleyoakchildren.org
Mini-Grant Recipients 2026
Mini-Grant
The CAPC administers and distributes the funds to support community-based, prevention-focused programs that promote the safety, health, and well-being of children and families throughout Butte County.
The Council’s work, including the distribution of Frank Watters & Mary Anne Houx Children’s Trust Fund awards, is guided by the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework™, which identifies key conditions that support family well-being and help prevent child abuse and neglect.
The Watters & Houx Children’s Trust Fund Mini-Grant application for 2026 has closed.