October 2015 - Kids Alliance

Giving Families Fortitude
"Sometimes in life you come upon the realization that you are backed into a corner and may not stand to win a
fight with your own resources." -Cherie, loving caregiver to her granddaughter
Challenging doesn't begin to describe the daily hardship our multi-generational families navigate. We exist to
alleviate their burden. Every child deserves a loving home and every caregiver willing to step up should have
the opportunity to do so with the information and tools to succeed.
We solve problems for families and get them the appropriate resources, but our impact is far greater when you
consider the fortitude, empowerment and humility gained. That feeling is priceless, and so is the love our
caregivers give their young kin.
"The care and consistent support that the Alliance staff has shown to me is an example of the humanity
and concern that mirrors the mission of the Alliance." -Cherie
Our advocacy on the Step Up Coalition led to the ARC Program last year, which provides more equitable foster
care funding to these families. KPCC recently aired this piece and $17.4 million was included in this year's CA
budget to better recruit and retain foster parents, including relatives. Read More>
A huge thanks to The Eisner Foundation for supporting our work to build strong multi-generational communities.
Vote for B4UGO in the LA2050 Grants Challenge!
The Alliance and Children's Law Center have entered into the
LA2050 Grants Challenge to expand Know Before You Go--a
campaign to empower, educate and connect foster youth! It
includes a new website knowb4ugo.org, the B4UGO app and soon
a YouTube web series. Vote and help us get $100,000 to transform
the futures of thousands of foster youth. Get out the vote now
through Tuesday, November 3 and encourage your friends to do the same through social media! You can also
support other organizations in different categories that support foster youth like United Friends of the
Children. Vote Now>
Use this tweet: Vote for @kidalliance #knowb4ugo campaign to connect #fosteryouth in
LA through @LA2050 bit.ly/1N25DFD @knowb4ugola
Early Childhood Development at Raising Baby
The Alliance of Moms Raising Baby event on September 26 gave 85 moms and dads in foster care knowledge
and tools to help their babies grow healthy and strong. Dozens of volunteers led workshops and cared for
participants' babies so they could absorb the enriching content. Each participant received a goody bag filled with
baby care items, clothes, snacks and educational toys provided by a number of generous sponsors including
The Honest Co. Thank you AOM for carrying out our mission and expanding opportunities for our clients. Thank
you CII for donating your space and to Heirloom LA for generously catering. Read More>
Raising Baby in the press: Huffington Post I InStyle I Daily Mail.com
AOM members Jessica Alba, Emily Lynch, Jordana Brewster, Danika
A couple with their son before a
A little one runs to her dad during
Charity, Rachel Bilson, Kelly Zajfen, Kristen Bell, Jules Leyser, Yasmine
workshop begins.
lunchtime.
Delawari Johnson and Rosemarie DeWitt pose for a picture.
Youth Prepare for Jobs in the Grocery Industry
On September 12, iFoster and the L.A. Opportunity Youth Collaborative
held a grocery recruitment event with over 40 foster youth ready for
employment. Participants took a work readiness assessment, practiced
mock interviews and received professional clothes, courtesy of Men's
Warehouse and Foster Care Counts.
They also applied for jobs with Ralphs, Nabisco and Lemonade. Applicants were matched with employers and
interviews were conducted earlier this month. We are so excited to see more foster youth get jobs, learn critical
skills and start building their careers in viable and fast growing industries. Read More>
Upcoming Events
Kinship Conference
If you are raising a relative's child, join us Saturday, November 14 for an invigorating day of education, support
and reflection in Oakland at the 2nd Annual Kinship Summit. We will cover funding, education rights and the
difference between adoption and guardianship. Thank you to the Walter S. Johnson and Zellerbach
Foundations. Read More and Register>
National Adoption Day
Join us on Friday, November 20 when we celebrate National Adoption
Day, sponsored by LifeLock. Hundreds of children will be brought together with their
forever families on this joyous day celebrated in cities across the country. Read More>
24th Annual Dinner
Save the date for our 24th Annual Dinner on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at the Beverly
Hilton. The Alliance will honor Fox Chairmen and CEO's Dana Walden and Gary
Newman with the National Champion for Children Award. Pomona School District
Superintendent Richard Martinez will receive the Francis M. Wheat Community
Service Award. Tickets and Sponsorship>
Supporters Go "All-In" at Poker Tournament
The 12th Annual "All-In" for Kids Celebrity Poker Tournament hosted by
Commerce Casino on October 18 was a huge success, raising more
than $140,000 for Alliance clients! The star-studded group of Texas
hold 'em participants included Brad Garrett, Willie Garson, Josh Malina,
Cheryl Hines, Nicole Sullivan, Mimi Rogers and Tony Denison.
Thank you to all of the generous players and dedicated sponsors who
came together to make the tournament the most successful in the
event's history! A special thank you to Presenting Sponsor City
National Bank and "All-In" Angel Sponsor The Diane and Dorothy
Brooks Foundation. Read More>
Actors Josh Malina & Cheryl Hines.
Stay involved and help share our work--
Know Before You Go, a campaign
join our social media community today!
to help foster youth succeed.
The Alliance is among
only 4% of nonprofits to
receive this ranking for
five consecutive years.