Past Events

On Christmas Eve, hundreds gathered at the Radisson Hotel in Whittier for the much anticipated Pathways Christmas Celebration. With over 200 Pathways residents and alumni and UFC staff, board members and volunteers in attendance, it is evident that our Pathways family continues to thrive from year to year. Everyone enjoyed an evening of good cheer as they opened gifts, sang carols and enjoyed some delicious holiday food. The Christmas Eve celebration has become an important tradition at UFC and serves as the only family holiday gathering for so many of our youth.

With help from the Dodgers Dream Foundation, College Readiness students and their families enjoyed Dodger dogs, holiday card making and a private tour of the stadium. Nine exceptional students received awards for greatest academic improvement, highest commitment to academic success, greatest commitment to CRP, and tremendous leadership skills. Special caregivers were also presented with awards for their commitment to the program.  

Over 50 ladies came out to support UFC and enjoy a complimentary shampoo and blow-dry and gift bag of Sebastian goodies - all at the fabulous Lukaro Salon in Beverly Hills. Guests contributed gift cards and other donations totaling $1,800 for holiday presents for the foster youth in UFC's programs. Thank you to all who participated in this event and helped to make the holidays a little brighter for foster youth!

Pathways residents and alumni and UFC staff and board members came together to enjoy some UFC family time and a traditional Thanksgiving feast.  The youth organized a surprise staff appreciation ceremony and slideshow where they gave thanks for UFC’s support during and after the program and presented staff members with certificates of appreciation and gifts.  This much anticipated annual event provides another opportunity for the youth to continue to form bonds with their UFC friends and family.

UFC College Sponsorship students, alumni, and staff gathered to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday at Universal Citywalk's Saddle Ranch Chop House. A giddyup' good time was had by all as people swapped first semester stories while delighting in all things barbeque. The highlight of the evening arrived as everyone crowded around the Saddle Ranch's mechanical bull to watch the brave souls attempt to stay atop the bucking bit of steel. The evening ended with hugs and a feeling of gratitude for food, friends, and fun.

More than 250 professionals and current and former foster youth attended the conference in downtown Los Angeles at the California Endowment Center for Healthy Communities. UFC partnered with California College Pathways (CSU Office of the Chancellor and the John Burton Foundation) to bring this professional development opportunity to college administrators, educators, service providers, and advocates who support foster youth in achieving their higher educational goals. Interactive workshops featured a variety of topics including; closing the financial aid gap for former foster youth in higher education; and supporting the mental health needs of former foster youth on campus.

Almost 30 alumni from UFC’s Pathways Program attended a weekend of reuniting and bonding in Universal City. Both program staff and alumni enjoyed activities at Universal CityWalk as well as a motivational speech and team-building workshops with Dr. William Franklin. Alumni had lunch at the Hard Rock Café and dined at the Saddle Ranch.