Paramount, CA
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Paramount Care Foundation is to be a lighthouse to the community, assisting the less fortunate towards self-sufficiency and personal growth. We provide services such as academic support, student mentorship, arts education, active lifestyle groups and events, along with food and clothing distribution.
OUR VISION
We strive to be a light in the Paramount community, offering vital community programs that address specific needs such as nutrition, health, wellness, education, and the arts. PCF desires to see our entire community flourish and serve the vibrant residents of Paramount in a holistic way.
Our Programs
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Homework help, activities, and, fun! Learn more about our affordable after-school care.
FOOD BANK
Every Friday from 8-10am we provide food support to those in need.
SUMMER DAY CAMP
Monday through Friday we have fun activities for 1st-6th graders! Learn more about our affordable Summer Day Camp.
ESL CLASSES
Weekly we hold English classes for those in our community. Learn more here.
ABOVE THE RIM
A safe and fun league for all basketball players! We hold two seasons each calendar year.
COMMUNITY ARTS
FREE classes for all ages in guitar, martial arts, watercoloring, lighting design, photography, songwriting, and more!
SEASONAL EVENTS
Our seasonal events try to meet the needs that some of the Holidays and seasons bring.
Our History
Paramount Care Foundation’s after-school program began in 2000 after studies conducted on the Paramount community consistently revealed that less than half of the adults residing in the city had a high school diploma. Emmanuel Reformed Church recognized this issue and sought to address it. Leaders within our church desired to reach out to underserved residents by providing and after-school program that would address not only academic issues, but also the negative attitudes and perceptions so many young people held towards the educational system.
In 2002, the decision was made to allow the after-school program to separate from the local church and become a completely separate organization. In 2002, Paramount Care Foundation (PCF) was officially formed and received its 501 (c)(3) status. Today, our organization is open to all residents of the Paramount community regardless of their religious affiliations and beliefs. We openly accept student and parent from all ethnicities, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Throughout the years, PCF has added a number of community programs and activities relating to health and wellness and community participation and beautification.
What People Are Saying
“My daughter is doing much better at school, thanks to the help that she gets at the After School Program.”
— Parent of a 2nd-grade student
“The After School Program is helping my son greatly, to have more discipline, to better his grades; he does his homework daily and with no mistakes. He loves to attend and he’s very happy at the program.”
— Parent of a 4th grade student
“You are teaching my son how to read. Thank you.”
— Parent of a 2nd-grade student
“Our After School Program provides a safe environment for all children. Their parents or guardian can drop them off knowing that they will not just receive the help they need to get their homework finished, but they get love and encouragement to do and be the best they can.”
— Faithful After School Program Volunteer
THE TEAM
Mike McKown
Project Hope Director
Mike is our Project Hope Director and Pitch In Paramount coordinator. He is a graduate of Cal State Long Beach with a degree in Operations Management. He has been a local Paramount resident for 6 decades and has been with the Paramount Care Foundation since 2011.
Mayte Hernandez
After School & Summer Day Camp Director
Mayte is our After School and Summer Day Director She is a General Nurse graduate in Mexico, a high school graduate in the USA, and has been a part of our After School Program for thirteen years! She is married, and a mom of two wonderful children. Mayte greatly cares for her students, believes in making a difference in each child, and enjoys spending time with the students and their families.
The Board
Randy Williams, President
Retired from Pepsi Bottling Group
Randy is married to his wife of 25 years, Barbara. They have 3 sons, Brandon, Austin, and Garret. He has lived in Paramount for 25 years and has been a Partner in Mission at Emmanuel Church for 22. Randy retired after 42 years at Pepsi-Cola. He enjoys fishing, water sports, and coaching football at Valley Christian High School. Randy has been on the board of PCF since 2002.
Bill Stram, Board Member
Capital Group
Bill Stram grew up in Paramount, and attended Mokler Elementary, Alondra Intermediate, and is a graduate of Paramount High School’s Class of 1982. He has a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology (BSIT) from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and a master’s degree in
Business Administration and Technology Management (MBA/TM) from the University of Phoenix. He is currently a Director in the Technology Services and Operations business unit at the Capital Group Companies in Irvine, Ca. Bill is married to his wife Kelly, and they have four
daughters.
Ruth Zymkowitz, Clerk
Business Manager, Emmanuel Church
Ruth holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from CSU Long Beach, and previously worked in human resources, sales, and as Vice President for a bank overseeing Real Estate Joint Ventures. She has been the business manager at Emmanuel Church since 1992 and also serves in that capacity for The Compton Initiative.
Ruth and her husband Michael married in 1982 and have two children and three grandchildren. She treasures her family heritage at Emmanuel Church where she and her husband met, where her parents also met and where her grandparents were founding members in 1925.
Kathy Bynum, Board Member
Bakkers Printing
Kathy Bynum-Lopez is a wife and mother of two young men. She owns a small business in the neighboring town of Bellflower. She continues to pray that her God-given gifts and skills will be used to help others.
Jill Guiterrez, Treasurer
Paramount Unified School District
Jill has been married for 27 years and has two adult children with her husband. She grew up in Paramount and her alma mater is Paramount High School. She has been an educator in the Paramount Unified School District for over 25 years. She has served on the PCF board for 19 years. Her COVID hobbies include sewing, selling online, and serving in new ways!
Mike DeMaster, Board Member
Executive Administrator, Emmanuel Church
Mike is a Paramount resident and has served on the PCF board since 2012. He is married and has 3 teenage children. His background is in education (teaching, coaching, and administration). Working with middle school through university students in the Southern California area. Mike now serves as an Executive Administrator for Emmanuel Church in Paramount.
We’d like to thank the following partners for their support!
