In 1974 when pediatricians Dr. R. Wyman Sanders and Dr. James Apthorp, were invited to meet with the parents in a Parents Anonymous (PA) group they identified a need. No therapy was being provided to the children who were victims of abuse. Dr. Sanders approached Bea Richstone and asked for help. She provided $6,000 seed money. The Richstone Family Center, named in her honor, was established with the mission of providing counseling for children and their families in a holistic approach. 

By mid 1980 Dr. Sanders was faced with the upcoming end of the government funding. Richstone sought to transition its model and to seek private funding from organizations, foundations, corporations, and individuals.  With no established donor base, it was a difficult task and they searched for a new Executive Director. 

Dorothy Courtney spotted the classified ad in the paper. While she had volunteered with organizations that addressed domestic violence and child abuse, she had no direct experience managing a non-profit. At the interview, Board President Dr. Sanders asked why Richstone should hire her. Dorothy, knowing the challenges, replied “Because you need me.” Dr. Sanders and the Board took a chance that paid off for Richstone and its clients.  

Wyman continued to serve on the Richstone Board, including as President for 6 years and as a dedicated supporter until his recent death on March 26, 2023. As his family wrote in his obituary “…he was most proud of his work with The Richstone Family Center – a place helping families to be resilient, safe, and to grow and thrive.”

In 1974 when pediatricians Dr. R. Wyman Sanders and Dr. James Apthorp, were invited to meet with the parents in a Parents Anonymous (PA) group they identified a need. No therapy was being provided to the children who were victims of abuse. Dr. Sanders approached Bea Richstone and asked for help. She provided $6,000 seed money. The Richstone Family Center, named in her honor, was established with the mission of providing counseling for children and their families in a holistic approach. Bea Richstone served as a founding member of the board and served for many years.

Dorothy Courtney described Elaine as “steady as a rock in focusing on the needs of the children and their parents and with a heart unfettered by bias. She reviewed, assigned, and followed each case with a surgeon’s discipline and skill. Her personal standard of excellence has permeated Richstone’s fabric and challenged each of us to reach for a higher level of performance.”

The property would ultimately become Richstone’s permanent home. Following a successful capital campaign in 1984, Richstone acquired the property from Dr. Higholt. He remained a committed Richstone supporter throughout his life and he served on the board for many years.

Dorothy Courtney spotted a classified ad in the paper for the Executive Director Role. While she had volunteered with organizations that addressed domestic violence and child abuse, she had no direct experience managing a non-profit. Undaunted, she applied for the job. At the interview, Board President Dr. Sanders asked why Richstone should hire her. Dorothy, knowing the challenges, replied, “Because you need me.” The Board took a chance that paid off for Richstone and its clients.

Dorothy led Richstone as the Executive Director for 24 years. Over that time, the programs, services, staff, and budget expanded and evolved to address the client’s needs.  Successful capital campaigns in 1984 and 1993 led to the acquisition of the original property, the adjacent lot, and the building of an expanded facility.  

Dorothy’s legacy includes the development of lasting community relationships and the recruitment of hundreds of volunteers serving as Board members, fundraisers, supporters, on-site volunteers, and advocates for Richstone and the prevention and treatment of child abuse. These legions of volunteers include Dorothy’s husband, Bob, their children Colleen Cole, Jake Courtney, Mary Burke and Erin Courtney and each of their families.   Dorothy remains actively involved and is serving as the honorary chair of the 50th Anniversary campaign.

Barbara wanted to find out more and drove from Palos Verdes to Hawthorne to attend a meeting at Richstone.  As the meeting drew to a close, Dorothy asked whether anyone in the room of 40 people had any ideas on how to raise the needed funds.  Barbara alone raised her hand. 

Barbara pitched the idea of doing a fashion show with costumes by the famous Hollywood costume designer Edith Head.  Barbara had a contact and she would reach out.  The contact came through and Barbara chaired Richstone’s inaugural fundraising event with Edith Head herself introducing the famous costumes modeled by Richstone volunteers.  The event was a success raising over $30,000 and enabled Richstone to keep its doors open.  

Barbara continued to raise her hand time after time for Richstone. In the 1980’s Barbara Chaired or Co-Chaired a series of successful fundraising events including, Celebrate the Fifties: Summer Love Premiere Event, and the Razzle Dazzle Round-up.  Barbara has served Richstone in many capacities over the years including as a Board member. It will be no surprise that she has raised her hand again to serve on the 50th Anniversary Gala Committee.  She looks forward to seeing you there. 

Al joined the Board of Directors in 1985 serving as Board President from 1991-1994.  In that role, he led the 1993-1994 capital campaign and the completion of the Jim Murray Building.  As Al’s family wrote when he passed away in 2018, “throughout his years of service Al had made Richstone first in his heart, always bringing new people and new resources to contribute to Richstone’s efforts to heal children and their families.”

His legacy of generosity to Richstone lives on through his children who continue to support Richstone today. 

Kay Conrad stepped up to host one of Dorothy Courtney’s first meet and greets to introduce people to Richstone in1980. Kay invited her friend Barbara Bowman to attend. Barbara would go on to Chair Richstone’s first fundraising event, the 1981 Edith Head fashion show. Kay’s husband, Paul Conrad, the Los Angeles Times Pulitzer prize-winning political cartoonist, and Dorothy’s husband Bob served as the auctioneers for this inaugural event.

Paul and Kay, along with Don & Danese Maldonado and Barbara Saltzman, were instrumental in securing Los Angeles Times support for Richstone throughout the 1980s. In 1983 the LA Times produced the first of many multi-page supplements featuring articles and photos about Richstone raising awareness to the issue of child abuse and the need for treatment and prevention and elevating Richstone’s profile in the community.  

Over the years, Paul generously put his pen to paper to create original drawings for events including the 1st Carita’s dinner honoring Jim Murray in 1992 and Dororthy’s retirement in 2004. The Conrads provided support in many ways, including hosting an event at their home featuring an auction of art and cartoons by Paul and other notable cartoonists.  

In 1996 the Cranes established The Todd Maxfield Crane Endowment in memory of their son who overcame obstacles and developed into an outstanding, caring young man, college student and a member of the US Mountain Rescue Team. These funds help the children at Richstone to overcome obstacles in their lives.  The Crane’s generosity has continued through today including serving on Richstone’s 50th Anniversary Honorary Committee. 

Tom and Dianne Harrington got involved with Richstone in the early 1980’s and have supported Richstone in many capacities over the last 4 decades.

With a background in early childhood development, in the 1990s Dianne coordinated the Positive Parenting Center with Lynn Messenger and taught parenting classes funded by Beach Cities Health District.

Tom was an initial member of Men for Richstone with Jerry Mook and Tom Malone.  The group  put on early fundraising events including the first wine-tasting event and several golf tournaments. In 1994 Tom and Dianne served together on the event committee for the 1950s Prom fundraiser. 

In 1998 Tom co-chaired the annual golf tournament with Roger Van Remmen, Richstone’s future CEO and took on the chair role from 2001- 2002.  The Harrington’s support for Richstone has been a family endeavor, in 2003 their son Michael became co-chair of the golf tournament with Bob Courtney’s son Jake.