Leslie joined our Scholars program in 2022 and has navigated nine foster care placements while never losing sight of her goals. Alongside school, she worked part-time for over a year to save for a car, and when an unexpected expense got in the way, United Friends was able to step in and remove that barrier.
She …
On May 30th, we hosted our 2026 Scholars Program Spring Graduation, a celebration for all the youth in our program graduating high school and college this year.
It was a chance to honor their achievements alongside the counselors, community members, and supporters who have been part of their journey. Moments like these are a direct reflection …
This past weekend, our Next Gen Board hosted the Seventh Annual Trivia Event at The Nickel Mine in Santa Monica. Teams came together for an afternoon of friendly competition, community, and a great raffle, all in support of foster youth across Los Angeles.
The Next Gen Board continues to be a driving force in bringing our …
We are also grateful to the Oracle team for hosting United Friends youth for an inspiring career workshop in Santa Monica.
From resume support and interview preparation to one-on-one mentorship with Oracle professionals, youth had the opportunity to strengthen important skills while exploring future career paths.
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This Foster Care Awareness Month, we also collaborated with La La Land Kind Cafe to highlight two United Friends participants and siblings, Edwin and Mary.
Filmed at the La La Land location on 3rd Street in Los Angeles, the project explored their experiences participating in La La Land’s workforce development program and the role United Friends …
Kiera joined our Scholars program in 2019 and initially struggled with communication, engagement, and motivation in school. She often kept to herself and found it difficult to ask for help.
When she started college, Kiera realized she needed a laptop to succeed academically. Reaching out for support became a turning point. With the tools she needed …
Kiera’s story reflects the importance of self advocacy and support, values that also guide this month’s Hero of the Month, Junely Merwin.
A United Friends alum, advocate, speaker, and higher education professional, Junely has transformed her lived foster care experience into meaningful work that supports students and drives systems change.
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Ramiro Montiel, a United Friends alum, spent his early years moving between twenty-four foster homes across Southern California. Even through that uncertainty, he found inspiration in storytelling and a vision for his future.
With support from United Friends, Ramiro pursued his passion, built a career across major media companies, earned his MBA from UC Berkeley Haas, …
Karla joined the United Friends’ Scholars program in 2024 with a clear goal in mind: earning her driver’s license.
As she worked toward that goal, her counselor helped identify areas where additional support could make a difference. Through that guidance, Karla was connected to a local driving school, and United Friends provided funding for behind-the-wheel instruction.
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Hero of the Month: Denny Luria
This month, we’re proud to celebrate Denny, our Board Chair and a longtime champion of United Friends.
As a psychologist dedicated to helping girls and women find their voices and develop a stronger sense of self, Denny has spent her career empowering others to grow with confidence and resilience. That same …