Humanitarian Fund
Dorothy Bjork legacy lives on through fund donations
by David Ngo
Imagine driving two hours to the hospital for two separate surgeries — all for your two-year-old baby.
Since 2019, this has been the reality for Mariela Ruiz, a migrant community liaison from Richland Chapter 39 and mother to two-year-old Isaac Ruiz.
Around the time of finding out Isaac’s gender, doctors informed Ruiz about her baby boy’s unilateral cleft lip and palate. Even before he was born, the Ruiz family already began grappling with the challenges that lay ahead.
“He had his first surgery when he was 14 months and then he had to have the second surgery for the palette in March of this year.”
Mariela Ruiz is pictured with her two-year old son, Isaac Ruiz, who was supported with a small-time donation from the Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund.
“We were already mentally prepared for him to have surgery,” Ruiz admitted. “He had his first surgery when he was 14 months and then he had to have the second surgery for the palette in March of this year.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a cleft lip and palate occur when a baby’s lip or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy.
“And on top of that he had to have tubes in his ears to drain any fluids that may be traveling through the palate into the ear,” said Ruiz. “So it was just a long journey of surgery.”
Compassion has long inspired CSEA members to support their union brothers and sisters struggling with natural catastrophes, personal tragedies, even medical bills.
Dealing with mounting copays, deductibles, and emotional strife from Isaac’s surgeries, Ruiz decided to apply to the Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund after learning about it for the first time.
“I read more about the fund categories and said 'oh my gosh this would really help us out with some bills, and it doesn’t hurt to apply.'”
“I didn't even know about it honestly. I was just scrolling through; I never heard about the Humanitarian Fund,” Ruiz explained. “I read more about the categories (for the fund) and said 'oh my gosh, this would really help us out with some bills, and it doesn't hurt to apply.'"
CSEA’s Assistance fund provides financial relief to members navigating tough times.
Disbursed through two programs, the Emergency Assistance Program and the Humanitarian Assistance Program, CSEA members in need receive financial assistance derived entirely from donated funds from within the union. For Ruiz, the fund helped support her two-year-old following the two surgeries that would later cause a four-day fever and another trip to the hospital.
Kevin Palkki
"When I think of CSEA, I think of unity,” said Kevin Palkki, a senior theater arts technician from San Bernardino CCD Chapter 291. He is a recurring donor and firm believer in the humanitarian message of Dorothy Bjork.
When Bjork was association president from 1984 to 1986, she set forth the notion that CSEA was a family – and family always takes care of one another. Leading CSEA’s first disaster relief effort, Bjork’s message still resonates with members to this day.
"That's the power of unity, that's the power of the union. It's not about yourself personally, it's about how can I help my fellow union member,” Palkki added. “I’ve been very fortunate this last year with my district and my job, whereas I know a lot of other people haven’t.”
The Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund's unique service model has withstood the test of time.
Donations made by CSEA members continue to funnel resources into the fund while money from union dues are not used in any way.
Jeanne Foster
Contributions are then distributed through a simple application process and quickly distributed to members who need financial assistance. “My family and I have been lucky. My children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are doing well, they are healthy and happy,” said Jeanne Foster, a retiree who also regularly donates to the Assistance Fund. “This is another reason I donate continually. I believe in helping those members of CSEA who need help when life happens.
The Assistance Fund’s presence throughout the years has left an emotional impact on CSEA’s pledge to support members experiencing hardship.
When members enroll in recurring monthly donations or make one-time contributions to the Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund, you’re doing more than lending a hand – you’re embracing a member who is suffering.
The magic of the Assistance Fund is vested in the compassion of members who understand that the lives outside of schools are just as important as the lives inside them.
“They say it takes a village to raise a child and it’s true,” said Ruiz. “If I didn’t have the support from my coworkers, my church, the support from CSEA, I don’t know how we would have overcome all of this.”