United Friends of the Children: Long-Term Commitments Leading to Lasting Impacts

United Friends of the Children is dedicated to ameliorating the lives of children in foster care to help them achieve successful adult lives. They provide housing and educational programs to make sure that youth in foster care will graduate from high school and college, find a job and housing, and they serve as a support system to gradually teach them independence.

This program accelerates the lives of children that were put in difficult situations. UFC volunteers build relationships over an extended period providing commitment and consistency and serving the emotional needs of children. Once a kid turns 18, they are gradually taught independence while still being offered support and love from these enduring relationships.

Making Foster Care Better

Children that end up in foster care have had tumultuous childhoods. They have been neglected, abused, and even abandoned by their parents. Over 75% of children in foster care are there due to neglect.

In Los Angeles there are over 20,000 youth in foster care. There are about 500,000 foster youth in the United States, and 20% are in California.

In California, $1.7 billion dollars per year are spent on foster care. At United Friends of the Children, $15,000 will send a child to college, $5,000 will fund two summer internships, and $1,500 will offer three recent college graduates housing assistance.

What sets UFC apart from other child welfare organizations is that they continue caring for children once they have “aged out” of foster care after age 18. This means that they are no longer dependent on the state. United Friends of the Children make kids feel like they are part of a family, offering consistency and support through college.

Help out United Friends of Children

You can help out United Friends of Children by donating, volunteering, or providing internships.

Donating to UFC will give long-lasting effects to foster youth. Kids supported by UFC are graduating form high school, attending college, and securing permanent housing. Donate today.

Volunteering with United Friends of the Children includes providing group products, college readiness activities, life skills classes, fundraising activities, annual special events, holiday help, office assistance and tutoring. Download the Volunteer Application.

Providing Internships will help the UFC youth gain work experience, develop professional work habits, build self confidence, and gain networking opportunities. It is a great way to offer a child in need the experience they need to compete in the job market. Contact Carla Palmer for more info about providing internships to foster youth.

Want more contact information for United Friends of the Children? Call them between 9AM and 5PM Monday through Friday at 213-580-1850 or visit them on their website at www.unitedfriends.org.