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, …
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 …
🌟 Hero of the Month: Assemblymember Tina McKinnor 🌟
A lifelong Angeleno and dedicated public servant, @asmtinamckinnorhas built her career around creating opportunity, advancing equity, and strengthening communities across Los Angeles County.
What makes her support of United Friends especially meaningful is how hands-on she has been. From meeting one-on-one with our youth, to visiting housing sites, …
🌟 Hero of the Month: Ebony Wilson
This month, we’re honored to recognize Ebony Wilson, founder of Ebony’s Safe Space LLC, for her deep commitment to the Antelope Valley community and the youth she serves, including young people at United Friends of the Children. Raised in the Antelope Valley herself, Ebony brings both lived experience and …
🌟 Hero of the Month: Danyell Wells 🌟
This month, we’re honored to highlight Danyell Wells, Executive Director at the La La Land Foundation. She is a powerful advocate whose life’s work sits at the intersection of equity, mental health, and opportunity for young people.
With advanced degrees in social work and criminology, Danyell has built a …
🌟 Hero of the Month: Mark Daley 🌟
This October, during LGBTQ+ History Month, we are proud to honor Mark — a social activist, entrepreneur, author, and foster-turned-adoptive father whose life and work embody compassion, courage, and change. From founding @One Iowa, building @TheFosterParent.com, and serving on the leadership team of @FosterMore, Mark has dedicated his …
🌟 Hero of the Month: Senator María Elena Durazo 🌟
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are proud to celebrate Senator María Elena Durazo. Born to migrant worker parents, she rose from humble beginnings to become a nationally recognized labor organizer, civil rights advocate, and California State Senator.
Beyond her leadership in the labor and political …
Meet our July Hero of the Month: Angelica Nwandu 💫
Angelica is not only the founder and CEO of The Shade Room, one of the most influential media platforms online, but also a former United Friends participant. Her journey from foster care to cultural icon is nothing short of inspiring.
This past June, Angelica brought three United …