Past Events

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.

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.

On October 3, UFC partnered with the USC School of Social Work to present our 10th annual college awareness day for Los Angeles foster youth, caregivers and service providers. The event offered a full day of workshops, panels and educational activities designed to support students as they explore their college options. Guests enjoyed lunch offered by the Carl’s Jr. Star Diner during the college and resource fair, at which more than 70 colleges and resource agencies were represented.

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.