Child Protection United States Project #27435

Finding Forever Families for Youth in LA County

by Kidsave International

Finding Forever Families for Youth in LA County

Project Report | Mar 10, 2025
A Festive Weekend of Connection and Hope in Los Angeles

By Development Team | Kidsave Staff

Kidsave Staff and Volunteers Spread the Love!

Los Angeles was alive with warmth, laughter, and hope as Kidsave continued its mission to connect older kids in foster care with caring adults. Through the LA Weekend Miracles program, Kidsave creates opportunities for children to meet caring mentors, host families, and potential adoptive parents in a fun and supportive environment. At a recent gathering, children, mentors, hosts, and potential adoptive families came together in a space designed to offer not just joy and celebration but also the opportunity to build meaningful connections that could lead to a future filled with love and stability.

The event created an inviting and festive atmosphere that welcomed everyone with twinkling holiday lights, the sound of cheerful music, and the warmth of a community coming together for a greater purpose. For kids in foster care, the holidays can often be a difficult time—a reminder of the families they don’t yet have. But on this day, that narrative shifted. Instead of feeling isolated, these incredible young people had the chance to experience the season in the way every child deserves—playing games, receiving gifts, and, most importantly, feeling seen and valued.

Laughter echoed throughout the venue as kids engaged in a variety of activities designed to bring out their playful, carefree spirit. They bounced between game stations, challenged adults to friendly competitions, and indulged in delicious holiday treats. These small moments of fun weren’tjust about entertainment; they were opportunities for kids and adults to build organic connections in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Brent, a 15-year-old who has been in care for 10 years, has lived in multiple residential facilities and group homes. He joined the Weekend Miracles program in December 2022 and regularly attended events, but it wasn’t until July 2024 that he met Jen and Aaron, a couple he felt a strong connection with and wanted to spend more time with. Over the past three months, their bond has grown, and now they are officially matched for hosting! Moments like these show the resilience of kids like Brent and the impact of Weekend Miracles in helping them find stability and belonging. Jen, Aaron, and Brent are already looking forward to creating new memories together.

These events are not just gatherings; they are stepping stones toward permanency. Every child deserves to feel safe, wanted, and supported, and it’s through these moments that lifelong connections can begin. Kidsave remains committed to ensuring that no child has to navigate the world alone, and with the help of mentors and host families, we are changing lives one connection at a time.

There are still many incredible kids in our LA Weekend Miracles program waiting for a mentor, host, and adoptive family. If you’re ready to make a difference, we invite you to join us. Your support can change a child’s future. Learn more and get involved today!

Views from the venue filled with holiday cheer!

The Festivities Begin!

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Nov 8, 2024
Creating a Foster Care System that Embraces Every

By Kidsave Staff | Development Team

In Texas and across many regions, the foster care system often operates under a “one-size-fits-all” approach, ignoring the unique needs of Black children and other marginalized youth. Systemic biases result in a disproportionate representation of Black children in foster care—not due to higher instances of abuse or neglect, but largely because of misinterpretations rooted in systemic racism and cultural misunderstandings.

We recently came across a story that truly illustrates this. A woman shared with one of our staff how her mother was denied the chance to care for a relative because their household was labeled “chaotic.” This judgment may have been derived from cultural bias and had negative long-termeffectson the child’s well-being. What the system dismissed as chaos was, in fact, a dynamic, loving environment that celebrated family strength. Because of this misunderstanding, their family lost the opportunity to stay together. This isn’t just one family’s story but part of a broader systemic failure to recognize the strengths of Black families and other marginalized communities. Too often, cultural differences are mistakenly viewed as deficiencies, resulting in unnecessary family separations. The result is usually longer foster care stays for Black children, who face emotional distress, a fractured sense of identity, and a higher risk of aging out without a permanent family.

A path forward begins with cultural awareness and sensitivity at every level of the foster care system. Programs that recognize and respect a child’s unique background and provide culturally sensitive mentoring and mental health support have shown success in reducing unnecessary separations and building strong, supportive connections. When professionals honor and value cultural differences, children benefit.

This year, we have focused on engaging with child welfare agencies, policymakers, and potential advocates for EMBRACE about the results of the study – all to develop the partnerships that can help us make the difference in the lives of Black children in foster care.In the coming months, we will be implementing our first phase of the EMBRACE study recommendations in our Weekend Miracles program in California and Texas, beginning with cultural responsiveness training and peer-to-peer support for families as they navigate welfare systems.

EMBRACE is dedicated to transforming foster care into a system that respects each child’s background and fosters true belonging. We advocate for changes like cultural competency training, reduced caseloads for social workers, increased funding for family reunification, and culturally qualified mental health practitioners. By supporting EMBRACE, you’re helping create a foster care system that meets every child’s unique needs, building a future where they can truly thrive.

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Aug 28, 2024
A Day of Fun, Connection, and Hope: Kidsave's Weekend Miracles Event in Pasadena

By Alexis Leal | Development Intern

Enjoying Games

Kidsave recently hosted a heartwarming Weekend Miracles event in Pasadena, California, where older kids in foster care had the opportunity to connect with caring adults. Held at Washington Park, the event was a beacon of hope, offering engaging activities and opportunities for meaningful connections.

The day kicked off with a delicious lunch, featuring steak and chicken tacos, savory street corn, and plenty of Gatorade to keep everyone refreshed. A fruit truck offered cooling fruit cups, setting the perfect tone for the activities ahead. Whether it was knocking down inflatable bowling pins or tossing bean bags, the joy was immense as kids and adults bonded over shared experiences.

As the afternoon ended, everyone gathered for a sweet treat in the form of ice cream, cooling down and reflecting on the day’s connections. Volunteers Mike and Tom, who recently adopted Dominic through Kidsave, share their joy at being able to give back. “Being here with my husband and our son, volunteering together, is a joy and an honor. Giving back to Kidsave means the world to us,” said Mike.

Our Weekend Miracles Los Angeles event is a testament to the inspiring work Kidsave does to find forever families and lifelong mentors for older foster youth. Kidsave is excited to announce the launch of its Weekend Miracles program in Virginia in the fall of 2024. In partnership with the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), Kidsave will introduce its Family Visit Model in Northern and Central Virginia, helping older foster kids connect with families. Without the success of Weekend Miracles Los Angeles, expanding to Virginia would not be possible!

Loving the fruit cart!

A Weekend Miracles Kid Bowling!

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