San Jose, Calif., April 6, 2004–EMQ Children & Family Services, a leading provider of social services for children, announced today that Beshoff MotorCars, one of the top Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the country, has selected the private nonprofit as its premier charity. Beshoff MotorCars has pledged $20,000 in its first annual grant to the agency’s Residential Treatment Program. The grant will provide supplemental funding for basic living items such as school supplies, bedding, clothes, and sport equipment for the children. The employees of Beshoff MotorCars and their families have also pledged their time in support of EMQ programs.

“At Beshoff MotorCars, we believe it’s essential to be a part of the community we serve,” said Ray Beshoff, president and owner of Beshoff MotorCars. “Having grown up in Ireland, I have seen first hand what happens to children who don’t have safe, loving places to call home. That’s why I believe so much in what EMQ does. Their employees deserve a lot of credit for the work they do.”

The agency’s residential program, which began in the 1860’s as a home for orphans, works with children who struggle with severe behavioral issues and need highly structured therapy. EMQ’s program is unique because families are part of the care team, and parents may shadow professional counselors to learn how to work more effectively with their children. Immediately prior to admission, 29% of youth who started the program were with families. Last year, 61% of the children in the program went home to family or relatives at the end of treatment.

“We are very excited to be working with Beshoff MotorCars,” said Jerry Doyle, president/CEO of EMQ Children & Family Services. “While state and county budgets are being cut, it’s donors like Ray and his employees who help us provide vital services to the most vulnerable in our society: the children.”

“Caring about the children is important to everyone in our organization,” according to Ray Beshoff. Beshoff MotorCars is the largest donor to date for EMQ’s “Adopt-a-Cottage” campaign. Other donors include the Schneider Family Foundation and the Lockheed Martin Employee’s Foundation. EMQ’s Residential Treatment program is funded in part by the state and Santa Clara County; however, private donors provide the everyday things that make the cottages a home for the children during their stay.

About Beshoff MotorCars

Beshoff MotorCars is the newest addition to the network of Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Northern California. Beshoff broke ground in March of 2002 and opened in October selling new Mercedes-Benz from trailers. By the time the showroom was complete in August of 2003, Beshoff had soared in sales to the top 20% of Mercedes dealers in the nation. The grand opening party attracted over 3,000 guests and firmly established Beshoff MotorCars as the most successful new dealership launch in Mercedes-Benz history. And in March 2004, Paul Halata, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA recognized Beshoff MotorCars with the 2003 Best of the Best Dealer Award.

About EMQ

EMQ Children & Family Services is a leading provider of children's mental health and social services in California that serves children who have been or are at risk of being removed from their families because of serious behavioral challenges. The private nonprofit has been nationally recognized for its innovation in family-centered, community-based programs like Wraparound, support and educational services and is headquartered in Campbell, California.

Press Contact:
Kristine Austin
EMQ Children & Family Services
Office: (408) 364-4029
Cell: (408) 718-8446
kaustin@emq.org