For nearly 40 years, Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert has provided programs and services in support of the health, mobility, independence and social inclusion of special needs kids, also providing assistance in underserved communities in the Coachella Valley.

Variety has now expanded these programs and services beyond its Palm Desert headquarters to two additional locations in communities that have demonstrated the most need: Desert Hot Springs and Mecca.

“In our nearly four decades of service to the Coachella Valley, we’ve found that there are many families who would benefit from our programs and free assessments if they were closer to their homes, particularly those in communities with limited resources,” said Executive Director Heidi Maldoon. “By bringing developmental screenings and other activities directly to those economically vulnerable populations, we know we can make an even greater impact within the region by sharing our mission on a much broader level.”

Maldoon added that the organization is grateful to the Desert Healthcare District for their assistance in funding this initiative.

Care for children starts with an assessment of needs and Variety is now offering a free developmental screening for children ages 0-5 in both Mecca and Desert Hot Springs.

In Mecca, screenings are offered at the Mecca Family & Farmworkers’ Resource Center (91-275 66th Avenue, Suite 600) on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In Desert Hot Springs, screenings are offered at the Desert Hot Springs Family Resource Center (14320 Palm Drive) Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Variety continues to offer free developmental screenings five days a week in Palm Desert (42600 Cook Street, Suite 150). Appointments can be made by calling (760) 773-9800, ext. 4. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Formed in the Coachella Valley in 1987, Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert is a chapter of the international charity with more than 40 chapters around the world. Additional programs and services offered include art workshops and other sensory-friendly activities, periodical distribution of family needs such as diapers, food and toys, a fall carnival connecting families to resources, an annual bike giveaway, and gifting of specialized mobility equipment throughout the year.

For more information, email help@varietyofthedesert.org, call (760) 773-9800 or visit www.varietyofthedesert.com.