Ruby used her time wisely and worked really hard during the pandemic to get ahead in school. As a result, she completed her high school junior and senior years ahead of most in her class. But then, the reality and weight of what came next after high school as a foster youth hit her and …
Jacqueline is passionate and determined in all she does. Earlier this year, she graduated from UCLA with a Master’s in Public Policy. Her journey with United Friends started in 2017 when she joined the education program. Her goal was to get an education as a way out of her life circumstances.
She first entered the foster care …
We’re excited to announce our December Hero of the Month, Aida Berduo Berry! Currently, Aida is the Senior Manager of Civil Rights Programs (Title VI) in the Office of Civil Rights. She is also a UFC alumna, a current UFC board member, and was our Fall Gala committee chair. Aida played an instrumental role in …
Before entering United Friends’ housing program in May of 2021, Brittianna was homeless. Going from couch to couch, Brittianna worked a part-time job that did not provide enough to live independently.
“At one point in time, I worked two jobs. One from 10 am – 7 pm and the other from 8 pm to 4 am. …
Through his experience in foster care and extensive research as a doctoral student at UCLA, Demontea Thompson aims to raise graduation rates for other foster youth.
Co-founder of the nonprofit organization Twinspire, Demontea and his twin brother, UFC alumnus and board member Tray, have helped numerous low-income and homeless youth by offering them support and mentorship …
We’re excited to shine a light this month on Candi Marie, UFC NextGen Board Member and the host of our 2022 Fall Gala! As a Meisner-trained actress, TV Producer, and founder of her own media company Candi’s Creative, we are honored to highlight her this month.
Candi Marie’s path to success was less than ideal. Growing …
Recently, 25 pathways residents were celebrated for successfully completing the program. We are excited to announce that 75% of the youth moved out of their pathways apartment and into stable or permanent housing! The remaining 25% have secured safe living accommodations and are continuing to seek stable and permanent housing with the continued support of …
This month we want to shout out one of our Scholars, Manuel Diaz.
Manuel has been in the education program since 2015 and is now studying at Pasadena City College. This summer, he participated in the TV Academy Foundation’s summer internship program where he was placed at one of the world’s largest production companies, Endemol …
Our October Hero of the Month is Junely Merwin, UFC alumna who actively advocates for youth in care and works to spread awareness about foster care through social media and her website. She first entered foster care at fifteen with her one-month-old son, but despite this challenge, she persevered and graduated with a BS in …
Brenda is a hardworking and determined individual. She has faced some great challenges but has kept pushing toward her goals. In January 2020 she joined UFC’s education program. At the time, she was starting her last semester at East Los Angeles College and was concerned about her housing situation. “I did not want to experience …