About The Children's Foundation International

Our Story

Why We Were Founded

The Children’s Foundation International was born out of tragedy and a vision for change. Established in 1995 by Nancy Nystrom following the heartbreaking loss of her 28-year-old son, Fred Eckdahl, the foundation emerged as a beacon of hope for abused, homeless, and orphaned children in Mexico. In the wake of Fred’s death, Nancy was driven by the vision “Feed my children,” which was widely publicized in both Mexico and the US in 1995. This vision catalyzed a movement in Manzanillo, leading to the opening of a soup kitchen in Salagua, Manzanillo, where 75-125 street and extremely poor children received a hot meal daily.

By February 1996, the Mexican Civil Association “Casa Hogar Los Angelitos A.C.” was officially established, solidifying the foundation’s commitment to providing care and support to vulnerable children. Despite facing tremendous adversities, including attempts to shut down the foundation, arrests, financial struggles, and community gossip, Nancy and her team persevered with unwavering faith, determination, and persistence. Today, the foundation stands as a testament to their resilience and dedication to making a profound difference in the lives of children in desperate situations.

Two boys sitting on a decorative stone wall next to plants, smiling and enjoying their time.

Act Now

Make a Lasting Impact

Your support is crucial in helping us provide comprehensive care and opportunities for the children at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos. There are multiple ways to get involved and make a difference.

Three children standing together, smiling, with one wearing a Mexico soccer shirt.

Our Mission & Values

Transforming Lives with Compassion and Dedication

The mission of The Children’s Foundation International is to rescue and transform the lives of children in needy and desperate circumstances. We are committed to providing shelter, food, clothing, education, medical care, and other life-changing necessities to children with compassion, integrity, dedication, hope, and love. Our values are centered around rescuing children from hopeless and dangerous situations and truly changing their lives. We believe in acting with compassion and integrity, dedicating ourselves to giving these children the care and opportunities they need to thrive.

Our vision is to focus our efforts primarily in Mexico, where we support the Children’s Home and programs of Casa Hogar Los Angelitos (CHLA) in Manzanillo, Colima. As a major support system for CHLA, we aim to expand our reach, providing care, tools, and opportunities to thousands of needy children in the future. Our goal is to bring peace and security to these young lives, helping them become successful and contributing members of their communities.

Mexico & Canada Foundations

Dedicated Support for Vulnerable Children

The Children’s Foundation International (TCF) also knonw as TCFCares operates as a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation. Since its inception in 1995, TCF has been dedicated to helping children and youth in desperate and dangerous circumstances. Our foundation is funded through the generosity of individuals, organizations, and corporate contributors.

Our efforts are focused in Mexico, where we serve as the primary support for Casa Hogar Los Angelitos (CHLA) in Manzanillo, Colima. CHLA is a registered non-profit (Asociación Civil) in Mexico, dedicated to transforming lives by providing care, resources, and opportunities for a brighter future. Our long-term vision is to expand our impact, fostering lasting change and stability for young people in need.

To further our mission, we established a non-profit corporation in Canada, enabling Canadian donors to contribute seamlessly. Additionally, we partnered with a UK organization to facilitate donations from UK supporters, ensuring that even more children can benefit from our work. Through these international collaborations, we continue to grow our reach and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Meet The Team

Board of Directors

Nancy Nystrom

Founded in 1995

TCF Founder and CEO
Fulshear, TX

David Riffel

Joined 2017

Treasurer, Financial Advisor, Bank of Colorado Investment Services /  Raymond James
Longmont, CO

Don Miller

Joined 2014

Regional Director Rainsoft
Loveland, CO

Kevin Skeens

Joined 2011

Founder of Ballistic Volleyball Club
Broomfield, CO

Orencio Maldonado

Joined 2024

FSQA Manager, Carl Buddig and Company
Hammond, IN

TCF Cares Administrative Staff

Nancy Nystrom

Founder and CEO of The FEED Scholarship and Children’s Foundation (DBA TCF Cares) and Casa Hogar Los Angelitos. Her unwavering vision and dedication continue to guide the mission and growth of TCF Cares, expanding its reach to support and empower even more children in need.

Orencio Maldonado

FSQA professional and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in business leadership and team management. Proven track record of driving success through continuous improvement in administration, financial operations, and cross-functional collaboration.

CHLA Administrative Staff:

Dr. Guiber Núñez M.

Medical doctor and psychologist, serving as the Director of Casa Hogar Los Angelitos. He has been a dedicated member of CHLA since 2001 and plays a vital pastoral role in the lives of the children, providing both guidance and emotional support.

Marisol González G., L.I.C.

Director of Ballet Folklórico Los Angelitos and leads the Tours for the Expressive Arts Program at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos. She holds degrees in Dance Science and Business Management, blending artistic excellence with strategic leadership. Marisol has been a dedicated part of CHLA since 2012, inspiring youth through culture, discipline, and creative expression.

Support Staff & Volunteers

Clayton Rhodes

Kevin Skeens

Orencio Maldonado

Make a Donation Today

Where Are You From?