Past Events

The local community came together for a preview showcasing our future plans for the Palace Hotel in Long Beach. UFC, LINC Housing Corp., the Long Beach Housing Development Company and the City of Long Beach are partnering together to redevelop the Palace Hotel to provide critical housing, education and life skills needs to emancipated foster youth through our Pathways Program. Local businesses, government officials and private citizens attended the event and heard from local Councilmember Patrick O'Donnell, among others. 

College Readiness Program high school students enjoyed a unique educational experience when they attended the Black College Expo that brings Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and other colleges directly to students.

College Readiness students gave back to the community by helping out at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in their mission to end hunger. These volunteer events are an important component to our programs by engaging the youth and providing them with opportunities to help others in need.

Students and their guests enjoyed the opportunity to share a meal together, swap holiday stories and set goals for the New Year. With our students attending schools across the country, the winter break provides a special time where UFC staff and youth can converge and have some rare and treasured face to face time together.

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.  

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.