A safe space for women and children
| SECTOR | PERIOD | LOCATION |
| Nonprofit / Community Safety | 1995–2018 | Coachella Valley, CA & Kankakee, IL |
OVERVIEW
Christopher’s Clubhouse was founded in 1995 following the abduction and murder of 10-year-old Christopher Meyer. The organization grew into a comprehensive community safety and education program serving children and families across the Coachella Valley and Illinois, teaching them the skills to avoid exploitation and predatory crimes.
Over 20 years, Christopher’s Clubhouse served over 100,000 children and families in a region with a population of 370,000. Gillybert supported the organization’s growth and strategic operations during its active years.
THE CHALLENGE
Approximately 600,000 to 800,000 children are reported missing in the United States every year. Children are statistically the most vulnerable population to violent crime. Community-based organizations working to address this crisis face a persistent structural challenge: grassroots funding is fragile, and long-term financial sustainability is rarely achieved without institutional partnerships.
Christopher’s Clubhouse grew to two locations, two full-time staff members, and a network of volunteers and training professionals, but remained dependent on short-term grants and donations, making long-term planning difficult.
GILLYBERT’S APPROACH
Christopher’s Clubhouse built a comprehensive, multi-pronged safety education program:
- Fingerprinting and ID services for children — creating tangible safety records for families.
- Internet safety seminars — addressing digital threats alongside physical ones.
- Family Safety Camp and Teen Groups in Focus (TGIF) — building safety culture across age groups.
- RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) for Women — empowering women with physical self-defense skills.
- Community college partnerships — embedding safety education into the local educational infrastructure.
Gillybert supported strategic development and organizational structure, helping the team expand to two locations, grow the volunteer network, and build partnerships with organizations nationwide.
OUTCOME & IMPACT
Christopher’s Clubhouse served over 100,000 children and families across the Coachella Valley over its 20-year operation. The programs were taught at community colleges, partnered with dozens of national organizations, and created a replicable model for community-based child safety education.
In March 2018, the organization closed due to funding constraints. Upon closure, the programs were acquired by the local YMCA, ensuring the curriculum and community impact continued.
- 100,000+ children and families served in the Coachella Valley
- Two operational locations across Illinois and California
- Programs preserved through YMCA acquisition after closure
- 20-year legacy of community safety education sustained
| Families Served | 100,000+ in a region of 370,000 people |
| Locations | Coachella Valley, CA and Kankakee, IL |
| Program Legacy | Acquired by local YMCA upon closure |
| Gillybert Role | Strategic development, organizational growth, partnerships |
“I decided I need to do something about it. The magnitude of children that are sexually assaulted is staggering.”