The Cherese
Mari Laulhere
EcoHouse
Built in loving memory of Cherese Mari Laulhere, EcoHouse reflects her spirit of compassion and our mission to provide stability, healing, and opportunity for young children and families facing homelessness.
" Cherese understood the importance of diversity, loving and caring for people from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. "
Laying the Foundation
Since 1997, Children Today has provided trauma-informed child development and family support services to some of society’s most vulnerable children. For years, we operated our programs out of leased spaces, places never truly designed for the kind of specialized care our children and families deserve. We made do, holding onto the dream of one day having a space of our own, a space built to foster stability, healing, and success.
A Vision Achieved
In 2016, that dream became reality. Thanks to the support of our community, board members, and the Cherese Mari Laulhere Foundation, we were able to open the Cherese Mari Laulhere EcoHouse, a Gold LEED-certified facility that brings all of our programs together under one roof. Purposefully designed to meet the unique needs of the families we serve, the EcoHouse is a welcoming, green, and peaceful gem in the heart of Long Beach
Dedicated in Loving Memory of Cherese Mari Laulhere
In June 2017, we had the honor of dedicating EcoHouse in loving memory of Cherese Mari Laulhere. Long-time supporters, Chris & Larry Laulhere donated $1.5 million towards the EcoHouse capital campaign in honor of their beloved daughter who tragically lost her life while in India with the Semester at Sea Program on March 27, 1996. Cherese was just 21 years old.
Through the Cherese Mari Laulhere Foundation they support causes that were near and dear to Cherese. We are so grateful to be among the many worthy organizations to be touched by Cherese and are proud to have her name on this building.
