Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert delivers direct, transformative services for children (ages 0–18) across Riverside County’s Coachella Valley, with physical offices in Mecca, Palm Desert, and Desert Hot Springs. We focus on children with special needs and those facing economic hardship, providing critical support across four core program areas.

1. Freedom Program
This program supports mobility, independence, and social inclusion through three key initiatives:

Adaptive Bikes: Custom-designed mobility bikes and equipment for children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and autism, fitted by trained medical volunteers.

Bikes for Kids: Rewards academic achievement in under-resourced fourth-grade students with bicycles, helmets, and locks—impacting over 8,900 students to date.

Recycled Rides: Provides reliable vehicles to families in need, ensuring access to care, education, and community life.

2. Future Program
Future fosters inclusion, creativity, and confidence through activities like monthly Art from the Heart classes and a range of adaptive sports and recreational events, from zoo visits to yoga and fishing—encouraging family engagement and joy.

3. Care Program
This program addresses health and developmental needs via:

Caring Connections: Offers early childhood developmental screenings (ages 0–5) using ASQ-3, plus referrals, tools, and guidance for families.

Certified Autism Resource Center: Staff are trained in best practices to serve autistic children and their families with empathy and effectiveness.

4. Outreach Program
Launched in 2024, Outreach provides responsive case management, resource referrals, and family support to help bridge service gaps and empower caregivers, especially in underserved areas. Workshops, peer support, and life-skills programming at our Resource Center ensure holistic care for the entire family unit.