Alpaugh, Calif. Mom Honored by Save the Children, Actor Dakota Fanning

Early Childhood Education Coordinator Victoria Beeson Recognized as a “Changemaker for Children” for her Work with New and Expectant Moms and Children

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (May 17, 2019) – Victoria Beeson, a mom, who spends her days helping other moms and children in her rural community of Alpaugh, Calif., got a surprise acknowledgement of her efforts this past Mother’s Day.  Victoria has been named a “changemaker for children” by global humanitarian organization Save the Children and was recently recognized for this honor by actor and Save the Children Ambassador Dakota Fanning who posted about Victoria on her Instagram. Victoria is an early childhood coordinator for Save the Children working with new and expectant moms and children under age five in her own community. Victoria helps moms become their child’s first and best teacher. She provides mothers with knowledge and suggested activities to help children learn language and literacy and to have the skills they need to enter school.

In celebration of Save the Children’s 100^th year of changing children’s lives, the organization is honoring changemakers for children – individuals who have raised their voices and used their influence to drive change for the world’s most marginalized and deprived children in the United States and around the world.

Dakota recently visited with Victoria at Save the Children’s programs in the Central Valley of California and saw first-hand Victoria’s impact on her community. Dakota joined Victoria on a home visit to a mom with two toddlers at home, aged 2 and 3. While on the visit, Dakota observed Victoria doing a book exchange and praising the mom for making reading an important part of their daily routine. Victoria also shared a no-bake cookie recipe for the mom to make with her boys to build their skills like counting and following directions. Victoria goes above and beyond her duties with Save the Children to serve her community. One example of this is a food distribution that Victoria brought to Alpaugh and in which Dakota took part by handing out fresh fruits to families. The food distribution not only provides healthy foods, it also offers information to moms on the importance of including the right foods in a young child’s daily diet to help with the growth of their brains and bodies.

“It’s a privilege to be named one of the changemakers for children,” said Victoria, a mother of two boys. “It’s a surprise. I love my job and I don’t do it for the recognition. But it feels special to be recognized.”

“I am proud to recognize Victoria as a Save the Children changemaker,” said Dakota. “It was a privilege to shadow her and witness the huge impact of the amazing work she is doing for new moms and her entire community.”

As a changemaker for children, Victoria joins the ranks of CEOs, philanthropists, policymakers, educators and advocates.  

Save the Children has been working in California since 2004. The organization partners with 31 schools in five counties, including Tulare County, to deliver education and health programs to more than 9,000 children in the state.

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that Save the Children is a charity you can trust. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.