Youth Voices
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BlogLatest Youth Voices Stories Debut at Downtown L.A. Film ScreeningFormer foster youth write and direct autobiographical films to shine a light on their experiences, while learning media skills from industry professionals. -
BlogMeet the Emerging Filmmakers Featured in the 2020 Youth Voices ProgramCheck out the latest Youth Voices video diaries directed and edited by foster youth. -
To Foster ChangeVertexAn exploding bomb. Tangled and desperate whispers. Bridges collapsing during ...An exploding bomb. Tangled and desperate whispers. Bridges collapsing during earthquakes. In her documentary, Jennifer juxtaposes the sights and sounds that best describe her bouts of anxiety with the ... -
To Foster ChangeNight WalkerReeves is a young filmmaker from Washington D.C. currently studying at the ...Reeves is a young filmmaker from Washington D.C. currently studying at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. As he walks through the night, he shares a poetic and hopeful ...
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To Foster ChangeHereafter YesterlyfeJosh is a 23-year-old entertainment professional. Losing all the original ...Josh is a 23-year-old entertainment professional. Losing all the original footage for this documentary reminded Josh of the uncertainty he experienced in foster care. Follow along as he shares his ...
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To Foster ChangeFrom Without to WithinAbove all, Jose identifies as a survivor. Jose remembers being told he was ...Above all, Jose identifies as a survivor. Jose remembers being told he was destined for greatness. An abusive upbringing thwarted these hopes, though. His search for love and acceptance landed him in ...
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To Foster ChangeDreams of the ShoreThe ocean is 25-year-old Jasmine’s refuge when her memories of a painful past ...The ocean is 25-year-old Jasmine’s refuge when her memories of a painful past and negative self-talk overcome her. But she reminds herself of her strength, her beauty and the dreams that motivate ...
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To Foster Change143Jaci entered the California foster care system when they were 4 years old. They ...Jaci entered the California foster care system when they were 4 years old. They open up about their lifelong struggle with depression. But allowing the love of others to shine through the darkness has ...
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To Foster ChangeBehind the Scenes: The Making Of The Youth VoicesIn an effort to let foster youth “tell their own story,” PBS SoCal’s To ...In an effort to let foster youth “tell their own story,” PBS SoCal’s To Foster Change social impact initiative created the Youth Voices Video Project. Five former foster youth were selected ...
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To Foster ChangeNot Your Statistic“Sugar Free Shari” is a former foster youth who entered foster care at age ...“Sugar Free Shari” is a former foster youth who entered foster care at age 14. Beating the odds of the 97% of foster youth who don’t finish college, Shari graduated from California State ...
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To Foster ChangeRoshawnRoshawn was born in and raised by the Los Angeles County foster care system, ...Roshawn was born in and raised by the Los Angeles County foster care system, spending her early years in kinship care. At the age of 13, Roshawn entered the juvenile delinquency system and became ...
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To Foster ChangeMei-LeMei-Le is a 23 year old former foster youth from Baltimore County, Maryland. ...Mei-Le is a 23 year old former foster youth from Baltimore County, Maryland. After graduating in 2017 from McDaniel College in Maryland with a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Art, and a minor in ...
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To Foster ChangeI Never Gave UpFormer foster youth, Lazarus beat the odds to not only graduate high school but ...Former foster youth, Lazarus beat the odds to not only graduate high school but to go on to college and graduate school. For Lazarus, perseverance was the key to success.
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To Foster ChangeThe LegacyLaura experienced 17 foster homes, three group homes, one trip to juvenile hall ...Laura experienced 17 foster homes, three group homes, one trip to juvenile hall and more than 18 high schools before finding her forever home. While many transitional age youth (TAY) emancipate alone ...
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To Foster ChangeJunelyJunely spent 5 years in California's foster care system. At 15, she entered care ...Junely spent 5 years in California's foster care system. At 15, she entered care as a teen mom. In many of her placements, she experienced abuse, neglect, and a lack of assistance and guidance. Even ...
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To Foster ChangeJasminePTSD has played a big part of Jasmine’s life. She has been using art as a form ...PTSD has played a big part of Jasmine’s life. She has been using art as a form of therapy for the last 10 years, and is now excited to express her experience with film. In this moving piece, she ...
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To Foster ChangeJaimeJaime is 23 and a former foster youth. After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts ...Jaime is 23 and a former foster youth. After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion & Textiles from Cal State LA, Jaime had the opportunity to participate in the Television Academy ...
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To Foster ChangeGenesisGenesis is 21 years old and in her third year at Cal State Fullerton. She is ...Genesis is 21 years old and in her third year at Cal State Fullerton. She is majoring in Communications with an emphasis in Broadcasting, and a minor in Human Services with an emphasis in Social Work. ...
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To Foster ChangeFatimaFatima entered the foster care system at 15 and aged out at 21. Since leaving ...Fatima entered the foster care system at 15 and aged out at 21. Since leaving her foster home at 18, she has encountered many obstacles. Fatima is now a full-time student at Cal State Fullerton, a ...
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To Foster ChangeTrack Was Like Foster CareGrowing up in an unsafe household, Emaryne was in and out of foster care from ...Growing up in an unsafe household, Emaryne was in and out of foster care from the age of five. She excelled through high school and later joined the track and field team at Indiana Institute of ...
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To Foster ChangeAll That Glitters Is Not GoldBorn into a mixed-race family, Alexis never felt like she belonged. Her younger ...Born into a mixed-race family, Alexis never felt like she belonged. Her younger brother and sister were adopted out of foster care, leaving her with little family connection at 13. Despite that, ...
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To Foster ChangeDiamondAt age 15, Diamond entered the foster care system with her sister. What she ...At age 15, Diamond entered the foster care system with her sister. What she thought would be a life of stability and support turned out to be frequent living changes and uncertainty. However, she ...
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To Foster ChangeMei-LeMei-Le is a 23 year old former foster youth from Baltimore County, Maryland. ...Mei-Le is a 23 year old former foster youth from Baltimore County, Maryland. After graduating in 2017 from McDaniel College in Maryland with a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Art, and a minor in ...
Meet the Youth
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BlogTurning Art Into a Career: Pursuing Photography with DominiqueDominique has been able to turn photography into a business. His advice to young people interested in working behind the camera is to believe in themselves. -
BlogTurning Art Into a Career: Behind the Scenes with Mei-LeMei-Le advises youth pursuing careers in film and television to get to know the people around them and to stay open-minded. -
To Foster ChangeAmber: Job Training Was Key in Finding StabilityAmber was sleeping on park benches and at bus stops. She, like 90% of foster ...Amber was sleeping on park benches and at bus stops. She, like 90% of foster youth who want a job, faced trouble securing employment. She found a program that offers job training and sets up job ...
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BlogTraining and Placement Opened Job Doors for AmberA program that trained Amber and set her up with interviews made a huge difference in her job search and overall economic independence. -
To Foster ChangeAshley: Unlocking the Road to EducationSchool was never a priority for Ashley. She was more focused on ensuring her ...School was never a priority for Ashley. She was more focused on ensuring her siblings were fed and safe. It wasn’t until a high school teacher inspired her that Ashley believed she could be the ...
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BlogThe Support That Lead Ashley to Her College Acceptance LetterAshley's interest and achievement in school improved significantly with the support of teachers, foster parents and academic programs for foster youth. -
To Foster ChangeBrittanie: Navigating the Challenges of MotherhoodWhen Brittanie had her first child, she wondered how she could be a mother when ...When Brittanie had her first child, she wondered how she could be a mother when she didn’t grow up with a mother herself. Her fear of her child falling into the foster system was crippling. Although ...
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BlogSmall Boost Goes a Long Way to Ease Brittanie’s Parenting FearsA parenting class made life a little easier for Brittanie when she had her first child. Additional assistance programs would have supported her at other milestones in her life. -
To Foster ChangeGenesis: Finding a Safe Place to Call HomeGenesis found that one of the most challenging parts of foster care was being ...Genesis found that one of the most challenging parts of foster care was being forced into adulthood. She became unhoused after juggling school, work and life for a few years. About 35% of foster youth ...
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BlogTransitional Housing Stabilizes College Pressures for GenesisWhen Genesis aged out of the system, the financial burden of college led to homelessness. Housing assistance helped her overcome her financial burden and finish college. -
BlogA Valuable Story to Tell: Joshua Elizondo Shares his Video Diary ProcessFor about a month, young adults from the foster care system are paired with entertainment professionals to help bring to life short films from their experiences. Joshua Elizondo, one of the participants, shared his experiences throughout the process. -
BlogFilmmakers of the Future: Foster Youth Grow Storytelling Abilities at Media TrainingTo Foster Change hosts a two-day boot camp for former foster youth who are interested in becoming filmmakers. -
BlogFoster Art Participant Turned ProfessionalTo master his passion, Deitrick started his photography education through trial and error. Then, last year, he enrolled in a two-day boot camp hosted by ...
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BlogBecoming A Sister Mom – MarcyIn foster care, family comes in all shapes and sizes. Four years ago, when Marcy Valenzuela was only 24, she decided to take in two ...
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To Foster ChangeIt Only Takes One Person Who Cares Enough!Foster youth advocate and relative caregiver, Marcy, believes in the power of ...Foster youth advocate and relative caregiver, Marcy, believes in the power of one. Determined to get her siblings out of foster care, she took them in as her own. It only takes one caring adult to ...
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To Foster ChangeMy Sister Adopted Me!During May, National Foster Care Month, college student and former foster youth, ...During May, National Foster Care Month, college student and former foster youth, Flo, celebrates her sister for becoming her relative caregiver and setting her on a positive path. Why Not You? It ...
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To Foster ChangeIt’s Not Graffiti, It’s ArtJessie Castillo grew up in the Los Angeles foster care system from the age of 3 ...Jessie Castillo grew up in the Los Angeles foster care system from the age of 3 to 18. Walking away from drugs, depression, anger and bad influences in high school, Jesse turned to drawing, painting ...
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To Foster ChangeThe Value of Supporting Foster Youth24-year-old Jhamasa Lewis-Adams, a college grad, entrepreneur, singer and ...24-year-old Jhamasa Lewis-Adams, a college grad, entrepreneur, singer and artist, shares the value of supporting foster youth. She wound up in foster care due to her mother’s drug addiction, but ...
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BlogTransitioning to AdulthoodDespite a tumultuous childhood in foster care and a fractured leg injury in high school, Annika kept pursuing her college dream of going to the ...
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To Foster ChangeA Vision for Positive ChangeJohna Rivers is a former foster youth from Los Angeles who co-founded the Reel ...Johna Rivers is a former foster youth from Los Angeles who co-founded the Reel to Real film festival, a competition honoring youth who make original media projects that address issues plaguing their ...
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BlogMy 15 MentorsShari talks about the impact of her 15 mentors and how a new mobile school launching in fall of 2017 will expand foster youth's education ...
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To Foster ChangeStay in SchoolFormer foster youth, Chris was fortunate that his foster mother supported his ...Former foster youth, Chris was fortunate that his foster mother supported his education. Chris recognizes the critical role education has played in his life.
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BlogMore Power to Be ReachedBrittany Cannon is 24 years old and lives in Los Angeles. Before she headed west from Florida, she spent most of her upbringing in tumultuous ...
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BlogWhy I AdvocateAthena is among the 38% of foster youth in California who are reunited with their birth parents. She is also among the small percentage of ...
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BlogMentoring At-Risk YouthAt the age of 24, Marisa works at Children’s Law Center of California (CLC) in Los Angeles, where she helps foster youth access the resources ...
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BlogI Beat The OddsVictor Pinzon, 25, knows about fighting. As a youth growing up in a gang-riddled Northern California neighborhood, he let his fists do the talking. Eventually his constant scrapes ...
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BlogGraduating From CollegeEvery morning before school, 17-year-old Lonnell rises before dawn to make his way to the football field at Manual Arts High School. At 6:00 a.m., ...
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BlogFeeling At Home Again: Precious WhitesideThe former foster youth, who grew up in San Bernardino County and was placed in foster care at the age of 12, was ultimately reunified ...
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BlogFrom Obstacles to SuccessIf you asked Erica about her journey to get to where she is today, she'd tell you that being a former foster youth is her ...
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BlogForging AheadWhen Briana Spencer was 23 years old, she took her first yoga class at Santa Monica City College in Los Angeles and hated it. In ...
Meet the Community
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BlogList of Programs Assisting Current and Former Foster YouthLearn about some organizations and programs created specifically to meet the unique needs of current or former foster youth. -
Blog5 Tips on Sharing Your Story Through PhotographyIssa Sharp of Venice Arts lends some insight into how to gain confidence and represent your experiences through the art of photography. -
BlogBoard of Supervisor Candidates Focus on Child Welfare at Community DebateFour candidates running for a seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors discussed affordable housing, homelessness, juvenile justice and child welfare at a community forum Friday evening. -
To Foster ChangeFoster Care to Director of LA Children & Family ServicesAs a former foster child and trained social worker, Bobby Cagle understands the ...As a former foster child and trained social worker, Bobby Cagle understands the challenges facing foster youth. In his role as Director of Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family ...
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To Foster ChangeLove Comes FirstRich Valenza, Founder and CEO of RaiseAChild, fostered-to-adopt two children as ...Rich Valenza, Founder and CEO of RaiseAChild, fostered-to-adopt two children as a single dad. In this video from Love Comes First, hear Rich share his journey through the process, the day he met his ...
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To Foster ChangeCommunity is FamilyZaid Gayle, Executive Director of Peace4Kids, a youth-driven organization based ...Zaid Gayle, Executive Director of Peace4Kids, a youth-driven organization based in South Los Angeles serving low-income communities, shares how his 18 years of working in the community has changed the ...
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BlogImpacting Early ChildhoodThe importance of family and impacting early childhood early on is what drives Rosa Arevalo, Senior Program Coordinator for CASA of Los Angeles, to keep ...
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To Foster ChangeYou Can’t Do It AloneKara Soldati is President and CEO of United Friends of the Children (UFC). As ...Kara Soldati is President and CEO of United Friends of the Children (UFC). As both a foster parent and founder of several non-profits dedicated to foster youth, Kara is clear that teamwork, ...
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BlogFoster Youth Need CASAsMaegan Mattock is a Senior Program Coordinator for CASA of Los Angeles who trains CASA volunteers to advocate for children in the Los Angeles foster ...
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To Foster ChangeWorking To Empower YouthEvery year in March, National Social Work Month is celebrated to honor all those ...Every year in March, National Social Work Month is celebrated to honor all those who work to empower youth. In this compilation piece celebrating National Social Work Month, hear from many ...
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To Foster ChangeEvery Child Needs an AdvocateExecutive Director of CASA LA, Wende Nichols Julien, emphasizes how becoming a ...Executive Director of CASA LA, Wende Nichols Julien, emphasizes how becoming a CASA volunteer is a high-impact role and will likely be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, full of ...
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BlogCompelled to CareIn his own words, corporate attorney Forrest Prull shares how he helped the Walt Disney Company bring happiness to LA’s foster youth and their families.
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To Foster ChangeThe Impact Is Beyond RewardingJason Roach is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) with CASA of Los ...Jason Roach is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) with CASA of Los Angeles, an organization dedicated to helping foster youth and their families across the LA community. He shares the alarming ...
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To Foster ChangeThe Impact of Being a C.A.S.A.In this inspiring video, shot inside an orange county courtroom, three amazing ...In this inspiring video, shot inside an orange county courtroom, three amazing women and dedicated champions of CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, explain the importance of being one, what ...
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BlogBecoming A Mentor Made All The DifferencePeter Gragnani, who volunteers with Community.2.0, a collaborative of local community organizations and churches, including Five Acres, found his calling to volunteer later in life. -
BlogMusic HealsWhen words fail, grieving children can find an outlet in music. Arvis Jones has impacted the lives of many foster youth and their families at Los Angeles-based mental health agency Hathaway-Sycamores with her musical therapy. -
BlogPolicy Is A RoadmapAlthough David Green often wears his advocacy hat these days, representing the Service Employees International Union’s (SEUI) local chapter, Green has been a social worker ...
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To Foster ChangeSmall Actions MatterDonna Brown’s commitment to social change has always been there. Before she ...Donna Brown’s commitment to social change has always been there. Before she helped start the National Foster Youth Institute in 2011, she worked in the LA community to improve the lives of ...
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BlogPaying It ForwardShaquenta "Q" McDonald, a former transitional age youth and now Program Coordinator for Los Angeles nonprofit Hathaway-Sycamores can relate to the many struggles foster youth face. -
To Foster ChangeAll Kids Deserve FamiliesHear how Sarah Boone, CEO of Extraordinary Families and proud adoptive mother of ...Hear how Sarah Boone, CEO of Extraordinary Families and proud adoptive mother of 3 sons from foster care, does it all. Through Sarah's work of recruiting, training and supporting a diverse population ...
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BlogFinding Jack A HomeAt first, 12-year-old foster youth Jack wouldn’t talk to his Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Lynn Temple. He might nod or shake his head, but ...
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To Foster ChangeMaking Graduation PossiblePeter Samuelson, President & Co-Founder of First Star, knows what works for ...Peter Samuelson, President & Co-Founder of First Star, knows what works for foster youth to succeed and graduate from high school and college: "If the kids have mentors and consistency, they will do ...
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BlogHow Mentoring Has Improved Both Our LivesThree years ago, two women met randomly at The RightWay Foundation, an organization which provides transition age foster youth (TAY) employment and mental health services. One ...
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To Foster ChangeThe Need to FosterMonique Ambrester, a Program Manager for the Residential Division at Five Acres ...Monique Ambrester, a Program Manager for the Residential Division at Five Acres saw the need to help kids besides being a teacher in the classroom. Today, she opens up today about her experience in ...
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BlogMy Mentees Teach MeFor Nurit Kotick, long-time Pasadena resident, wife, mother, mentor volunteer and board member at nonprofit Hillsides, mentoring youth has changed her life.
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To Foster ChangeWe Are CASAMatt Wadlinger is Director of Outreach, Marketing and Family Connections at CASA ...Matt Wadlinger is Director of Outreach, Marketing and Family Connections at CASA of OC, an organization which serves severely abused, neglected and abandoned children through the recruitment, training ...
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To Foster ChangeBeing Mama LucyFor Lucy Abdelradiy, or "Mama Lucy" as she is affectionately called by her ...For Lucy Abdelradiy, or "Mama Lucy" as she is affectionately called by her colleagues, residents and former residents at Hillsides Residential Treatment Services Program, making sure foster children ...
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To Foster ChangeFoster Youth, Not Bad KidsLanny Wilson’s mentoring style is more than just unique: it’s inspiring and ...Lanny Wilson’s mentoring style is more than just unique: it’s inspiring and life-changing for Southern California’s foster youth. A Case Manager with the Children’s Law Center of California, ...
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To Foster ChangeFoster Youth, Not BrokenJudge Maria Hernandez, a Juvenile Presiding Court Judge in Orange County, CA, ...Judge Maria Hernandez, a Juvenile Presiding Court Judge in Orange County, CA, determines the course of action for foster youth in juvenile justice in Orange County. Here, she opens up about the ...
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To Foster ChangeImproving Youths' LivesGene Howard is Executive Director of the Orange County Alliance for Children and ...Gene Howard is Executive Director of the Orange County Alliance for Children and Families, a consortium of 15 non-profit organizations throughout Orange County that work in the field of child abuse ...
Meet the Families
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BlogDoing Our Part To Do Good – Miranda and AlexMiranda and Alex opened their homes and hearts a couple years ago to three girls, all under the age of three. Two of the girls ...
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BlogWhy I Fostered On My Own – Nefertiti’s Story
In 2006, I began the process as a single woman, clear that my desire was to offer an African-American boy a permanent, loving home. I ...
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BlogIntuition Led Us To Fostering – Erin and Tony KimErin and Tony Kim have a blended family, with two birth kids and two foster-adoptive kids who range in age from to 9 to 15. ...
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BlogRaising 7 Sons Out of Foster Care
Across Southern California, foster parents take in children from foster care to give them a loving, safe and comfortable home. Some of those children become ...
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BlogProud Two-Dad HouseholdScott Sparks & Wilber Rubio are two proud dads who fostered-to adopt three siblings from Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization, RaiseAChild. Read their inspiring journey to ...
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To Foster ChangeFostering Changed My LifeSingle Dad, Calvin, opens up about how fostering two boys through California ...Single Dad, Calvin, opens up about how fostering two boys through California nonprofit, Extraordinary Families, has changed his life. What he’s learned could help us all become better parents.
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To Foster ChangeReunifying Foster Youth with Their FamiliesFormer foster youth Holly Raines describes her journey to reconnect with her ...Former foster youth Holly Raines describes her journey to reconnect with her biological family thanks to the help of Matt Wadlinger and the Family Connections program at CASA OC. Holly chronicles her ...
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BlogIt Was Fate – Dee DelaraIn her own words, Dee Delara shares her inspiring foster-to-adopt story.
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BlogFostering Is Beyond Rewarding – Carlos and Gail RemisCarlos and Gail Remis have been on the front lines caring for foster children for the last 20 years, providing clean beds and hot meals, ...
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BlogFostering, The Right Choice – Essie Bradic
Single foster mother, Estrellita “Essie” Bradic, is a long-time elementary school teacher and advocate for foster children. Despite the year and a half of hurdles ...
Providing Support for To Foster Change
