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February 2012 Volume 6 Issue 2
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Celebrating MFP with OVO from Cirque du Soleil!
 On January 27, MFP and Cirque du Soleil shared an evening of magic and amazement with over 250 friends and supporters. The VIP Reception at Pacific Park on The Santa Monica Pier was an enormous success! Guests enjoyed a delicious deli spread accompanied by a selection of wine, cocktails mixed and poured by PAMA and cupcakes provided by Crumbs Bakery. Floral arrangements were designed and donated  by Board member, Joanie Berkley, while atmosphere and musical stylings were created by DJ Ian Gotler. Cirque du Monde and Le Petite Cirque performers amazed with their incredible gravity-defying talents and enchanted guest in their not-so-garden-variety regalia. Activities included raffles opportunities to see LOVE and IRIS from Cirque du Soleil, a photo booth with plenty of fun costume options, face painting stations and magical performances throughout the reception. The program for the evening included a slideshow of photos and quotes taken from MFP youth in Circus Arts classes and a short MFP video highlighting our mission and the services we provide for homeless youth in Los Angeles. If you joined us, thank for being part of the fun! We hope that you were able to learn more about the work MFP does in our community while enjoying the wonderment of OVO™.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Acrobat Sponsor:
The Capital Group
Juggler Sponsors:
The Barr Foundation
Joanie Berkley
Ann Blanchard
Joy Swift & Richard Johnson
Toni & Tom Morgan
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Introducing our Amazing Cirque du Monde Team.....
Cirque Du Monde (CDM) is the main social program, run and developed by Cirque du Soleil since 1995, in which the circus arts are fused with social intervention tools to help young people, particularly at-risk youth. Social circus programs are partnerships between circus artists who have had some training in social intervention, and counselors/community workers who have had some circus training. This collaborative approach is what makes it different from a typical recreational program. Here at MFP, the program provides stimulating, non-traditional physical activity for homeless youth of all ability and engagement levels. Through participation in the CDM program, youth learn positive social interaction skills, take part in unique team and trust building exercises, while increasing strength, agility and self-confidence.
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MFP Wants to be Your Valentine!
If you give a gift of $25 or more in the month of February, we will send you a printable eCard, lovingly created by the youth of MFP. Choose from 6 limited edition Valentines as a wonderful gift for a loved one. Show someone you care for them as well as Los Angeles' homeless youth, by making a gift in their name. The card will be emailed to you after your donation is received. Simply type "Valentine" into the comments section of your online donation here or write it into the memo field of your check. You can also make your tax deductible donation over the phone, by calling
323-908-0011 X-101. Please make sure we have your email address and your design selection.
Sample MFP Valentine
Want another way to show your love for homeless youth? You can text a gift of $10 to MFP. Simply text 'Friends' to
 85944 and $10 will be charged to your cell phone bill. Next, reply 'yes' when asked to confirm.
A little love goes a long way!
Our supporters and friends are our best ambassadors.
Show your love of MFP by sharing with others and spreading the word throughout your community.
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FEBRUARY LOVE
There are plenty of opportunities to support the youth of MFP. In-kind donations are always welcome and we can help you organize a drive at your school, place of worship or business. Our most requested items are:
- Backpacks
 - Hoodies
- New work boots
- Sleeping bags
- Bus tokens
- Food or store gift cards
*Occasionally we have other needs that arise due to special events or a young person being housed. If you have something to donate or would like more ideas about how to help, please contact Natalie at (323) 908-0011 ext. 101 or email development@myfriendsplace.org.
Check out some other ways to give!
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| Mission
My Friend's Place assists and inspires homeless youth to build self-sufficient lives.
Please consider supporting MFP's mission! Contribute through our
Learn more at |
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Word From the Streets
Written in MFP Workshops
Home
Home is where your heart is
And if your heart is In Hollywood
then Hollywood is your home
even if you ain't got a house it can still be your home 'cause that's where your heart is
Home does not have to be a house made of wood and 4 walls with a roof 'cause everyone has a place they call home where the heart lies and mine is wherever I lay my head cause only home is my heart so it's wherever I am.
Written by Laura J.
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IN THE:
 New Study Finds Youth Exiting Foster Care 17 Times More Likely to Experience Homelessness
On January 18, the National Alliance to End Homelessness released The State of Homelessness in America 2012. The second in a series, this year's report finds that, unexpectedly, the bad economy did not lead to a large increase in homelessness. This can be largely attributed to the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP), the stimulus-funded program aimed at curbing homelessness resulting from the recession.
The report did identify specific demographic groups with an increased likelihood of becoming homeless, one of which was youth exiting foster care. Combining data on previous living situations with emancipations from foster care data from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), risk of homelessness was calculated for youth who age out of foster care. Over the course of a year, the odds of experiencing homelessness for a youth emancipated from foster care are estimated to be 1 in 11 as compared to 1 in 194 for the general population.
These figures provide a strong evidence base for the value of programs such as HPRP and the need to continue to direct resources toward preventing homelessness among youth exiting the foster care system. Moreover, the report found that indicators associated with homelessness, including severe housing cost burden and doubled-up households, increased. These findings, coupled with the impending expiration of HPRP, could mean increases in homelessness in the next years.
Read the full report here.
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Volunteer of the Month
Adele Bertei
After learning about My Friend's Place at a volunteer fair, Ms. Bertei was intrigued by an opportunity to combine community service with her expertise and talent in the music field. During the Friday Music Workshop, Adele has been able to help youth listen to one another and communicate through music. She remarks, "MFP is a place that doesn't pressure youth. The safe haven makes youth know help is near; I used to be one of those youth and would've appreciated that support." Continually assisting in the dayroom and at special events, Adele is always happy to chip in, saying of her service here, "Every little bit we can do to make the change we want to see is very important." My Friend's Place thanks Adele for her ongoing participation in creative programming, fostering an outlet for expression and communication among the youth of MFP! |
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