Rosa joined UFC’s Scholars program in 2015. Initially hindered by a lack of support for her learning needs, UFC helped Rosa secure the necessary educational accommodations to get her through middle school and high school.
In 2021, Rosa was accepted to CSU Dominguez Hills and decided to proceed without accommodations to avoid stereotypes. Rosa lost …
Meet Jocelyn. Jocelyn’s journey with United Friends began when she was in the 8th grade. Now, as a freshman at university, her involvement in the Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) has become a vital part of her life. For Jocelyn, being part of YAP is more than just participation; it’s a commitment to advocating for foster …
Introducing our Hero of the Month, Franco Vega! Over two decades ago, Franco kickstarted his journey by teaching transition-age foster youth and establishing an employment haven for recovering addicts and the homeless.
In 2011, he founded The RightWay Foundation, a game-changing program tackling trauma and job hurdles for foster youth through mental health services and job readiness …
In December, our holiday gift drive achieved remarkable success! Every one of our youth received gifts on their wish list. This was made possible thanks to the generous contributions from a diverse group of supporters. We extend our gratitude to Full Picture, whose assistance secured a shoutout from Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara and tapped …
Karen’s journey with United Friends began a decade ago when she was fourteen. Her involvement in the Youth Ambassador Program has been more than just a role—it’s been her way of connecting with and contributing to a community that has grown to be a significant part of her life.
Karen, thank you for being such a …
Meet Laila!
For over 7 years, since her middle school days, Laila has been an integral part of the UFC family. Her passion lies in advocating for foster youth and sharing her own journey to inspire others. As a Youth Ambassador, Laila offers vital insights and a personal perspective on the challenges and triumphs of transitioning …
Meet Benji! Born and raised in Los Angeles, Benji is a proud alum of UC Santa Barbara with a degree in Sociology. Now, he’s making waves in Public Relations at The Walt Disney Studios.
As a participant in UFC’s Youth Ambassador Program, Benji represents us at special events and on social media, passionately speaking about his …
In her senior year of high school, Tiona’s determination shines bright. Despite her family’s move mid-semester, disrupting her four-year connection with friends and dreams of joining the basketball team, Tiona remains undeterred. The hurdles she faces around transportation issues momentarily dimmed her “A/B” brilliance, but Tiona’s resolve never falters.
Collaborating with her counselor, she is crafting …
While in high school, Sherrie felt defeated because she saw many of her classmates transitioning into their dream universities. Not academically eligible for a university, she decided to take the transfer path. Demonstrating persistence at Los Angeles Southwest Community College, Sherrie became a competitive applicant for UCLA.
The transition to UCLA proved challenging as she had …
(left to right) Mackenzie Orr – Community Manager, Olivia Dickerson – Advocacy Counselor, Ebony Harris, Jasmine Griffis – Director of Housing
Ebony is a go-getter. There is no other way to describe her. She knows what she wants to achieve and doesn’t let anything get in her way. Ebony entered Pathways in 2021. She was a …