Meet the California Scottish Rite Foundation
We provide children the building blocks for a lifetime of improved communication and confidence.
The California Scottish Rite Foundation’s life-changing speech-language and literacy programs provide opportunities for children to improve their communication skills and self-confidence. Our RiteCare Childhood Language Programs offer best-in-class, individualized services that address the needs of developing children and their families. Funding from our donors and granting foundations facilitate the resources our Speech-Language Pathologists need to empower children with increased independence, decreased frustrations and a pathway to academic success, at no cost to the families. Our donors are proud to give, knowing their contributions drastically improve thousands of children’s lives every year.
RiteCare Language Program History
In the early 1950s in Colorado, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States initiated a program to help children with speech and language disorders. The results obtained from this program led to the establishment of RiteCare Scottish Rite Childhood Language Program (SRCLP) clinics to provide diagnostic evaluation and treatment of speech and language disorders, as well as learning disabilities.
Today, there are SRCLP clinics, centers, and special programs operating or planned for children and therapists located throughout the United States. Each facility is staffed by speech-language pathologists or other trained personnel. Through the support of Scottish Rite members, these clinics, centers, and programs continue to increase.
The value of this philanthropy has long been apparent. Tens of thousands of youngsters across the United States have been helped significantly. With the good work of dedicated clinicians and parents, the Scottish Rite has achieved successes that could only be imagined a few years back. Children who might have remained educationally behind for a lifetime can now talk, read, and lead productive lives.
01
The Vision
We are leaders in transitioning children with childhood communication disorders to realize their full potential.
02
The Why
We serve children with speech, language and literacy disorders by providing the opportunity for free, life-changing therapy to improve their communication skills.
03
The Truth
Speech, language and literacy disorders can strike any child – with devastating outcomes. Many of these children struggle daily with the task of speaking, reading and writing.
04
The Cost
Our services are provided at NO COST to the children & families we serve. Our donors are proud to give, knowing their contributions drastically improve thousands of children’s lives every year.
05
The Commitment
We adhere to the premise that every child with speech, language or literacy disorders should have the opportunity to receive vital therapy from certified Speech Pathologists so that they may lead productive lives; freely communicating with their family, peers, and succeeding academically.
06
The Future
Acquiring these services can be life-changing, providing a renewed sense of self confidence, and the ability to communicate that many take for granted.
Our History
The California Scottish Rite Foundation was incorporated as a California nonprofit Corporation on June 16, 1958, with the initial purpose of awarding Fellowships to deserving students attending the George Washington University School of Government to prepare for careers with the State Department.
In March of 1966 the California Scottish Rite Foundation created the first of it’s named scholarship funds with the Ralph Hale Ruppert Memorial Scholarship Fund. In March of 1968 the Homer Earl Baldwin and Leone Adell Baldwin Scholarship Fund was created. The Harry Walker Lister Scholarship Fund was added in 1997 followed by the William F Stovall Scholarship Fund in 2012. And in 2013 the Lester W Miller Scholarship Fund was created thus ensuring the Foundation’s commitment to higher education.
Since 1958
In September of 1960 a conference was held at Stanford University at which The Scottish Rite Institute for Childhood Aphasia was founded with support from the California Scottish Rite Foundation and the U.S. Office of Education. The focus of the conference at the time was on aphasic children, who left untreated, might well end his or her days in state-supported institutions and never be able to reach their full potential as adults. The Institute was led by Dr. Jon Eisenson who published many articles in medical journals relating to children’s learning disorders, their causes, effects and cures.
The Scottish Rite Institute for Childhood Aphasia at Stanford University was the first such facility in the West and one of only two in the entire country at that time. By the end of the 1960’s the program moved to San Francisco State University under the direction of Robert H. Gottsleben where it eventually became the foundation of the university’s current Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.
In 1970, the San Francisco Scottish Rite sponsored the opening of a Childhood Aphasia Clinic through the California Scottish Rite Foundation. It didn’t take long for other Scottish Rite locations to follow suit with the opening of a clinic in Los Angeles in 1977 and Long Beach and San Jose in 1978. In 1981 a clinic was opened in San Diego, then Stockton and San Bernardino in 1982, and in 1984 clinics were opened in Oakland, Sacramento, Santa Rosa, and Santa Barbara. The next clinics weren’t opened until 1991 in Fresno, 1996 in Pasadena, 2001 in Orange County, and 2004 in Palm Springs. Then nearly twenty years later after the clinics were rebranded as Childhood Language Centers a new center was added in Burlingame in 2021 and Bakersfield in 2022 and then adding therapy to both Northern California and Ventura, bringing the total number of centers in California to 19. The California Scottish Rite Foundation has provided speech and language services to thousands of children over the years.
President/ Chairman of the Board
Arthur L. Salazar, Jr.
After spending more than 20 years in public accounting as a tax professional and business advisor I am excited to be able to share my experiences for such an important cause. It's extremely satisfying to know that I am doing my part to reach more children in need of our services and to work with so many dedicated clinicians and partners all focused on the same goal.
Vice President
Fulgencio (JoJo) Quimpo
Every year our Valley showcases our RiteCare Childhood Language Center in a Stated Meeting Dinner. We get to listen to the parents speak on how the CLC has impacted the life of their child as well as the whole family; then we get to hear their child speak!! This is always an emotional event and brings immense joy to all in attendance! I have seen how the CASRF positively impacts the lives of children and their families, and I am honored to be able to contribute my time and efforts to this worthy cause.
Vice President & General Counsel / Secretary of the Board
Ralph Shelton II
When I assumed the leadership of the Childhood Language Center of Orange County in 2004, I learned a great deal about the services we could offer and the need for those services in our community, inspiring my commitment to the work of the Foundation. It is most gratifying to leverage my professional experience in law, particularly non-profit governance and compliance, to help bring about positive change in the lives of children and their families.
Chief Financial Officer/ Treasurer of the Board
Charles P. Cross
Some of my previous involvement with organizations deal with the challenges and complexities in life. I now serve and support this Foundation whose vision is to transition children with childhood communication disorders to realize their full potential. Nothing is more fulfilling to see children overcome these challenges. They will have vital roles in changing our world. We are all different in many ways. Being able to effectively communicate increases the success of understanding each other. Their chance of keeping successful relationships with all the lives that they touch is elevated.
SLP Chair
Tina Burns, M.A., CCC-SLP
As a Speech-Language Pathologist, I am passionate about helping children communicate. When children have difficulties with their speech and language, it impacts numerous aspects of their lives. Through the California Scottish Rite Foundation, I help children overcome these difficulties in a setting where I can provide individualized services, work closely with families, and see the impact on their day-to-day lives. I get to do this with the joy of knowing that there is no financial burden on the families. I am grateful to be part of this organization, changing the lives of children and making a lasting impact.