A Child's Dream-CA
"Helping to meet essential needs through practical means; one child, one household, one street, one community at a time."

Cassandra Steptoe-Sampson Founder/CEO
Cassandra's zeal and compassion for children's issues led her to create A Child's Dream-CA (ACDCA), a charity that has assisted hundreds of children and families each year. The charity's annual events, such as the Annual Back to School Outreach and the Holiday Outreach Event, have been a big hit with families, with some arriving as early as 4 a.m. to receive items.
Cassandra, a single teenage mother, faced many challenges but never gave up. She had faith in God and worked hard to provide for her children. With the support of her family and friends, she overcame adversity and raised her children to be successful.
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Cassandra's faith and inspiration to help children grew. In 1985, she joined a ministry and its’ Food Program, which later included annual outreach events. Cassandra understood and identified with other single parents during this time.
As the program expanded, Cassandra came to realize how her own frustrations and lack of resources had affected her relationship with her children.
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Cassandra is of the opinion that primary care providers who have someone to walk alongside them as they help their children meet their basic needs are less likely to lash out at their children in frustration.
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She believes that one of the major reasons for child abuse is the lack of resources within the home and the community; It is not necessarily because the parent does not love their children.
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Cassandra launched Living Waters Ministry in 2006. She shared her vision of impacting lives with her congregation. They began with 4 random acts of kindness, which turned into 2 large events. In 2013, the outreach was renamed A Child's Dream-CA (ACDCA) to better reflect its mission of advocating for its every child's dream of being loved, protected, and cared for. As of August 2023, ACDCA has provided resources to over of 15,000 children and their families.
One of Cassandra's greatest joys is seeing the smiles on children's faces and hearing the thanks of those who know the mission of the outreach. Her mission is clear: to see to the essential needs of individuals through practical means, one child, one family, one community at a time.
CONGRATULATIONS!
To our Founder, Cassandra Steptoe-Sampson-Recipient of the 2019 L.O.V.E. Philanthropy Award (Ladies Operating Very Effectively)