New Collaboration Offers Jobs and Skills to Transition-Age Youth

 

The Alliance is always looking for workforce and skill-building opportunities for transition-age youth to kick start their road to self-sufficiency. As part of this goal, we recently partnered with Heirloom LA, a local catering company, to offer exclusive skill-building experiences to foster youth. We first met Heirloom LA when they approached us to help find a youth to work in their kitchen. While they were only looking for one candidate, they ended up hiring two young men. Heirloom LA also hosted a brunch for six foster youth on April 27. Co-owners Tara Maxey and Matt Poley prepared several fun and educational stations for the young women. They were taught how to properly set a table and given tips on etiquette and serving--useful and practical life skills. Matt even provided a cooking demonstration and showed the participants how to make a tasty beet salad and vegetable omelet, dishes that would be easy to duplicate at home. (Most of the young women had never eaten beets.) We are so grateful to partners like Heirloom LA for providing former foster youth employment and hands-on opportunities!

 

May is Foster Care Awareness Month and the week of May 12 we are working with local companies and organizations to offer job shadowing days to foster youth ages 18 to 22. Participants include SpaceX, Grammy U and ICM Partners, among others. If you are interested in exposing foster youth to your career and expertise, email v.daverso@kids-alliance.org or read this flyer for more information.
Join us at the 5th Annual the RIGHT to LAUGH

 

Are you ready for an evening of comedy and non-stop laughs? Mark your calendars for our 5th Annual the RIGHT to LAUGH comedy event presented by SOLOW and The Gary Magness Foundation on Thursday, May 29 at the Avalon Hollywood. We are looking forward to a hilarious lineup of comedians, including Ray Romano, Brad Garrett, Bill Bellamy, Rob Riggle and J.B. Smoove, with more to come! Before all the comedic fun, guests can bid on exclusive silent auction items and experiences. Enjoy top comedy acts at the RIGHT to LAUGH while supporting the Alliance. We hope to see you there. Learn More>

Intern Raises Money & Donates 100+ Travel Bags to Foster Youth 

Many high school kids like to sell their old stuff for cash, but few, if any, donate the funds to charity. That's what makes Alliance intern Ashiley Lee so remarkable. The high school junior sold old clothing on eBay and donated the $1,000 proceeds to the Alliance. In addition to the donation, Ashiley used some of the money to purchase more than 100 duffel bags for foster youth to use when they move homes. Ashiley came up with the idea after reading articles about foster youth using garbage bags to move their belongings. "I thought this was a good way of changing the stigma. I mean if you give a child a trash bag it's a way saying they are disposable too," said Ashiley.  We are so grateful for young people like Ashiley.
In the Press: Step Up Works to Bring Equity for Relative Foster Families

The Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle recently published editorials on California's two-tiered foster care system where children being raised by relatives receive considerably less support that other foster youth. The message reverberates across the state: California can--and should--change policy this year to increase state foster care benefits to children placed with relatives. The recent press is the result of the Alliance-led Step Up Coalition's efforts.
Meet Our Incredible Families

At our 22nd Annual Dinner on April 7, 2014, we shared the moving and inspiring stories of the Cornejo and Soto families. The stories highlight the obstacles relative foster families face and the work we do to make their road easier. This video demonstrates the critical need to equally support all foster families and why children who are placed with relatives deserve no less. 



The Alliance has earned Charity Navigator's highest four-star rating four years in a row -- an honor held by only 7% of charities!
May is National Foster Care Awareness Month!