On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared the month of May “Foster Care Awareness Month” in support of the more than 30,000 children who are currently served by the County’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

In an effort to help connect loving families with current foster children for temporary or long-term placements or adoption, DCFS is highlighting the work of several community organizations that are honoring current foster parents and working to recruit new foster parents.

Below is a selection of events taking place across Los Angeles County for National Foster Care Awareness Month. To learn more about becoming a foster parent through DCFS, visit www.fosterlakids.com, call 888-811-1121 or email FosterLAKids@dcfs.lacounty.gov.

Los Angeles World Airport Airports Greets Travelers with Foster Care Message
Throughout Foster Care Awareness Month, hundreds of thousands of travelers logging on to the Los Angeles World Airport’s free Wi-Fi will be greeted with FosterMore’s “Because You Were There” video, which shares the gratitude of former foster youth whose lives have been touched by the community members who stepped up to support them during a challenging time.

Additionally, the iconic lighted pylons at the airport’s entrance will be illuminated “blue” to kick off the month of activities in honor of National Foster Care Awareness Month.

For more information about FosterMore please visit FosterMore.org.

Children’s Bureau
Children’s Bureau provides prevention, treatment, training programs, research, evaluation programs and advocacy for children and families impacted by foster care. They will host a special monthly informational meeting where prospective foster parents can access resources to help a child in need.

Children’s Bureau Foster Care Information Meeting
Saturday, May 5:
10:00 a.m. to noon
Location: Children’s Bureau, 460 East Carson Plaza Drive, Suite 102, Carson 90746
To RSVP or for information, call 213-342-0162 or email RFrecruitment@all4kids.org.

Five Acres Foster Care and Adoption Information Session

Five Acres is one of oldest nonprofits in Los Angeles, with 130 years of uninterrupted service to Southern California caring for vulnerable children and their families. Five Acres will host a special Foster Care and Adoption Information Session where attendees can meet existing foster families to learn from their first-hand experience and chat with Five Acres representatives to learn more about how to get involved.

Sunday, May 6:
12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: All Saints Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101

Foster Care Counts

Foster Care Counts will host its 10th Annual Foster Mother’s Day Celebration that will be a special day of relaxation honoring foster mothers and families on Mother’s Day. This special event will honor the parents that can often be forgotten on Mother’s Day: loving foster mothers.

10th Annual Foster Mother’s Day Celebration*
Sunday, May 13:
9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Location: The Willows Community School, 8509 Higuera St., Culver City, CA 90232
*This is an invite only event, not open to the public.

RaiseAChild’s “Let Love Define Family® Tour”

Based in Los Angeles, RaiseAChild is building loving families for foster children® as the nationwide leader in the recruitment and support of LGBTQ and all prospective parents interested in building families through fostering and adopting to address the needs of the more than 437,000 children in the foster care system nationally.

RaiseAChild will host three free events across L.A. County on different days to share the joys and benefits of fostering and offer support and resources to get parents on their way to building loving and nurturing families. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

La Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Wednesday, May 16:
6:30 p.m. to 8: 00 p.m.
501 N Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Lois Lambert Gallery
Thursday, May 17:
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Hilton Universal
Saturday, May 19, 2018
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA 91608

For more information and to RSVP for RaiseAChild events, call 323-417-1440 or https://RaiseAChild.org.

SHIELDS for Families Foster Family Recognition Dinner

Founded in 1991, SHIELDS for Families has grown to serve more than 10,000 families and is based in South Los Angeles. SHIELDS will host a Foster Family Recognition Dinner on Thursday, May 17, 2018 that will celebrate foster and adoptive parents enrolled in services with its agency. In addition to dinner and awards, there will be family-centered activities for all to enjoy.

SHIELDS Foster Family Recognition Dinner*
Thursday, May 17, 2018
*This is an invite only event, not open to the public.

For more information, call 323-242-5000 ext.1227.

Mixed Roots Foundation’s 6th Annual L.A. Dodgers Adoptee Night: A Special Night for All Who Are Touched by Adoption and Foster Care

Mixed Roots Foundation improves the quality of life of those touched by adoption and foster care by leveraging philanthropy and grassroots fundraising to help them achieve their dreams and goals. Mixed Roots Foundation will be teaming up with the L.A. Dodgers again and will host their 6th Annual Adoptee Night that will bring together a number of community partners including LA County DCFS, Five Acres, First Place for Youth, Echoes of Hope, Vista Del Mar, Children’s Bureau, Los Angeles Job Corps, and Stratford School. The special night will take place on Friday, May 25 where the Dodgers will take on the Padres and will also feature the USA Women’s Olympic Hockey Team Sisters Marissa and Hannah Brandt.

Mixed Roots Foundation’s 6th Annual L.A. Dodgers Adoptee Night
Friday, May 25:
Dodger Stadium
Pregame VIP Meet & Greet: 5:00 p.m.
Loge Terrace
Game Time: 7:10 p.m.
Fireworks: After the game

For more information, to sponsor kids or purchase tickets: Holly Choon Hyang Bachman,
Mixed Roots Foundation
213-725-8054
events@mixedrootsfoundation.org
www.mixedrootsfoundation.org

FosterAll’s Foster Care Information Presentations

The mission of FosterAll is to find homes for abused and at-risk children through Foster Care Programs in faith communities and provide professional and volunteer support for foster families. During National Foster Care Awareness month, FosterAll will give 18 presentations to faith congregations across Los Angeles County to highlight the need for more foster parents. In addition, The Archdiocese of Los Angeles will promote FosterAll’s services on connecting prospective parents with foster children to its 300 parishes.

For more information on locations and to RSVP for FosterAll’s events, call 818-649-8003.