A College with Care gift directly impacts youth like Ruben. In 2021, Ruben joined UFC’s Scholars program. Ruben faced academic challenges due to instability and lack of guidance, intensified by virtual learning. With help from his UFC counselor and grandma, Ruben was connected with an in-person tutor. Ruben now meets with his tutor twice weekly, …
Introducing… our Hero of the Month Eddie Leavy! Eddie is a former foster youth, actor, singer, and writer based in Los Angeles and New York. As a Black transracial adoptee, Eddie is an avid proponent of telling stories centered around adoptees and their experiences.
With a background in musical theater and a penchant for comedy, Eddie …
On June 1st we held our annual graduation to celebrate over 40 of our education scholars and pathways residents for reaching an incredible milestone! We are so proud of each of them and their determination that has led to a high school diploma, college degree, or the completion of a trade-tech certification or program. We cannot …
A College with Care gift supports youth like Melissa. Coming from a low-income household, the prospect of college seemed unattainable. UFC helped her family navigate the complexities of financial aid and provided Melissa with a dorm kit to ensure she had essentials such as groceries, books, and supplies.
With support and guidance from UFC, Melissa negotiated …
We’re excited to introduce our May Hero of the Month, Francois Reihani! Combining his extensive experience in hospitality and philanthropy, Francois founded La La Land Kind Cafe in 2019 and the La La Land Foundation this month to hire and mentor youth aging out of the foster care system. Since its inception, La La Land …
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 …