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Who Are the PALS?
Orangewood PALS (Providing Assistance, Love, and Support), formed in 1996 as an auxiliary of the Orangewood Children's Foundation, is a group of energetic, influential and dedicated professionals who have joined together to fight child abuse and neglect in Orange County. Orangewood PALS' goal is to support on-going activities at the Orangewood Children's Home, fund scholarships, provide mentoring, and be positive role models for current and former foster youth. |
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"Even before I was born, my family was broken; tormented with violence, drugs and poverty," says Orland. He was removed from his mother at the age of 12 and placed into foster care along with his younger sister.
Despite a series of placements, he excelled in high school. He took several advanced placement courses, was on the honor roll all four years, was most recently student body president, and he graduated with a 3.64 GPA. During high school, he also performed extensive community service at a teen program in his hometown and with Interact, a service club through Rotary International for young people ages 14 to 18.
With the help of an Orangewood scholarship, he enrolled at Cal. State University Northridge this fall with a major in Sociology/Child Development. His passion is "helping youth and people in general." After college, he plans to pursue a master's degree and, ultimately, work as a counselor with at-risk youth.
Education and being a role model are equally important to Orlando. In his scholarship application this spring he said, "No one in my family has graduated from high school. I want to not only graduate, but also finish college to show my sister there is another way for her to go in her life." He continued, "Education is the key to foster youth breaking the stereotypical views against them."
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Chairman's Letter:
At the last PALS Speaker Night, Keith, the Activities Director at Orangewood Children's Home, introduced me to a young woman wearing an oversized USC sweatshirt with the brightest eyes you have ever seen. In two weeks, she was scheduled to emancipate.
"Emancipate" is a word commonly uses in the foster care world. According to the dictionary:
1. to free from restraint, control, or the power of another;
2. to release from paternal care and responsibility.
For this soon to be 18-year-old, "emancipate" means that she needs to find a place to live, a job, transportation, and food. All would be challenges for any adult, but imagine having to face all of this alone -- with no financial or parental support -- on your 18th birthday.
Orangewood Children's Foundation and PALS become the safety net for most emancipating youth. At PALS Speaker Night, we look for the opportunity to sit down, one-on-one, with these kids to assure them that they are not alone. We are still there for them and will not abandon them when they emancipate.
Because of your donations, Orangewood's youth can stop at the resource center and use computers to find a job, wash their clothes, and take home some groceries. If they want to go to a trade school or college, we will help them navigate the process, set up a mentor, and give them a scholarship. If they need a place to live, they can move into Rising Tide apartments.
Kids are showing up at our door and we need your help more than ever. Volunteer at a PALS Speaker Night, send a student to college for a year ($6000), or donate a gift card for some groceries. It all makes a difference!
Follow PALS on Twitter and Facebook and don't forget to join or renew your membership with PALS so that you can participate in all of our fun upcoming events in 2010!
Best wishes for the holiday season and for the new year!
PALS Chair,
Marty Dutch |
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Annual Fun Day:
Orangewood's Annual Fun Day at the Orangewood Children's Home offered the children a festive, carnival atmosphere with activities, entertainment, clowns, rock climbing wall, caricaturist, reptile show and other fun-filled activities. While the children enjoyed snacks and snow cones throughout the day, Fun Day ended with an In-N-Out truck for the kids and volunteers.
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Foster Family Picnic:
PALS and 44 Women for Children had a great opportunity to partner with the Children and Family Services and Foster Care Auxiliary for the 25th annual Foster Family Picnic. On September 20th, 500 foster youth and their foster families were treated to a day of fun and games, such as carnival games, a dance contest, bounce houses, puppet show, lunch, prizes, and much more. |
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Speaker Nights:
On the second Tuesday of every month join PALS and the children of Orangewood Children's Home as we listen to an inspirational speaker followed by fun activities and tasty treats. Past speakers include: Bill Thompson (CEO, PIMCO), Phoenix Stanna (Miss. Newport Beach), Jesse Billauer (Founder, Life Rolls on Foundation and ex-pro surfer), Jim Abbott (Olympic and Major League Baseball pitcher), and many more.
On December 1, the UCI Men's Volleyball Team visited Orangewood Children's Home and taught abused and neglected children perseverance, competition and teamwork. The children spent the evening learning how to play volleyball with the team. Players each paired up with one of a dozen kids, really getting to know them on a personal level. The kids ranged in age from four years old to highschoolers. The volleyball team was able to make sure the little ones had a good time and enjoyed the atmosphere while they were also able to speak with the older ones about how important it is to stay in school and that they too can go to college some day. Interactions such as these are extremely important as it creates positive role models for the youth and an opportunity for them to get involved in something positive that could lead to great things in the future.
  Volunteers with UCI Men Volleyball Team Demonstration for the youth
Volunteers and speaker always needed: for more information please contact djjackson@orangewoodfoundation.org |
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Also at Orangewood:
12th Annual Ambassador Lunch @ Hilton Orange County-October 30, 2009
Orangewood's 12th Annual Ambassador Luncheon honored and recognized Orangewood Ambassadors, philanthropic partners whose annual gifts of $1,000 or more support the Foundation's efforts with foster children and teens. This year's luncheon featured father/son guest speakers Mac and Drew Bledsoe and the event also included the presentation of the General William Lyon Crystal Vision Philanthropy Award to Frank Robitaille.
Orangewood Resource Center Open House-November 6, 2009
With the help from organizations such as 44 Women for Children, St. Joseph Health System, Golden State Construction, and Jones Lang LaSalle, the Orangewood Resource Center has been remodeled, revamped, and expanded. On November 6, 2009, Orangewood held an open house at the Foundation for the community to visit the new and improved ORC as well as an opportunity to learn more about Orangewood programs and opportunities.
Share Our Wine 5th Annual Auction Orange County @ Lyon Air Museum, Santa Ana- November 14, 2009
This year's Share Our Wine event raised funds to benefit the abused and neglected children of Orange County through Orangewood Children's Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters. The event featured fine food and over 500 wine-related lots at the silent auction, as well as a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind trips to the world's top wine destinations. |
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Save the Date: Anaheim Ducks Casino Night @ Honda Center - January 15, 2010
The annual Anaheim Ducks Casino Night in January will give attendees the opportunity to play exciting casino games amidst Anaheim Ducks players, coaches and broadcasters. The event will include fine cuisine, live music and dancing, a silent auction, opportunity drawings, an exclusive high-roller VIP Lounge, and proceeds will benefit Orangewood Children's Foundation. For more information please visit www.anaheimducks.com/casinonight.
Athlete's First @ St Regis Resort - March 6 and 7, 2010
The Athletes First Classic Gala and Golf Event is a two-day extravaganza at the St. Regis Resort with proceeds benefiting Orangewood Children's Foundation. The gala on March 6th will be an evening of celebration with fine dining and entertainment. The live and silent auctions will feature one-of-a-kind items, including a Super Bowl trip for two and a one-week stay at a villa in Fiji. The golf event on March 7th will be a beautiful day on the links and each golf foursome will include an athlete or celebrity as the fifth golfer.
Belle of the Ball - March 27, 2010
Each year at Belle of the Ball, Orangewood turns prom dreams into reality for approximately 200 young women. Partnering with Women Helping Women and Girls Incorporated of Orange County, Orangewood will provide dresses, purses, shoes, and evening accessories to the girls who will also be pampered with hair, make-up, and special tailored fittings. At last year's event, the girls also attended an inspirational workshop on how to be "Strong, Smart, and Bold." For more information on how to get involved please contact Kristi Piatkowski at 714-619-0248.
Nordstrom Fashion Island Opening Gala - April 14, 2010
The Nordstrom Fashion Island Opening Gala next April will benefit Orangewood Children's Foundation and U.C. Irvine Medical Center. The event will include an all-store celebration with full dinner, dessert buffets, and bars with an in-store fashion element. Entertainment and shopping will be located throughout the store. For more information please contact DJ Jackson at 714-619-0237. |
Tuesday, January 12th: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, February 9th: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, March 9th: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, April 13th: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, May 11th: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, June 8th: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, July 13th: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, August 10th: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, September 14th: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, October 12th: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, November 9th: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, December 14th: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm Calendar subject to change. Please visit www.orangewoodpals.org or call 714-619-0237 | |
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