Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services

Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services Empowering foster and at-risk youth since 1906, we're on a mission to build bright futures through vital services that inspire hope and drive change.

Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services provides innovative and individualized treatment, education, and support services to children, young adults, and families to better their lives.

Please join us in welcoming Blythe Cotton Maling as Optimist’s next chief executive officer. She brings more than 30 yea...
06/16/2026

Please join us in welcoming Blythe Cotton Maling as Optimist’s next chief executive officer. She brings more than 30 years of nonprofit executive leadership and a steadfast commitment to children, youth, and families in Los Angeles. Maling is honored to lead the organization’s next chapter and looks forward to partnering with the Optimist team, board, and community.

06/11/2026

New federal rules are making it harder for young adults exiting foster care to access food assistance — and the clock is running out. ⏰

Starting June 1, former foster youth must prove they're working or in job training at least 80 hours a month or lose food stamp benefits after three months. According to The Imprint, nearly 2,600 young adults exit foster care in California every year, many of whom rely on that support as they work toward stable housing and employment. 🏠

California's AB 2765 would protect current and former foster youth from these requirements. It passed the Assembly Human Services Committee and now heads to the Senate. 📋

Your donation helps us provide grocery assistance to residents in our housing program — reducing their reliance on food stamps while they work toward stability. Link in bio. 🔗

06/09/2026

Shyanne grew up in Optimist's programs. While she was with us, she connected with Coffee with a Cause — a local nonprofit coffee shop — where she interned as a barista, learning to make drinks, run a shop, and work with customers.

She's sharing one of her favorites: an iced matcha latte. Recipe below. ☕

Ingredients:
1-2 tsp Matcha powder
2-3 tbs Hot water
¾ cup Oat milk
1 tsp Sweetener
1 tsp Vanilla syrup (optional)
½ cup Ice

Prep the matcha: Sift the matcha powder in a bowl or mug to avoid lumps.
Whisk: Pour hot water over the Matcha. Use bamboo whisk or handheld frother to mix until smooth
Sweeten: Stir in your sweetener while the Matcha is warm.
Assemble: Fill a tall glass with plenty of ice.
Combine: Pour oat milk over the ice.
Pour and Serve: Pour the matcha over the oat milk. Stir well and enjoy.

06/05/2026

Don’t call us a boy’s home.

But seriously, we haven’t been JUST a boy’s home for a while now. We evolved and expanded to serving all youth and families in the child welfare system in Los Angeles County.

There are a lot of things we're older than, and a lot more that we're not. For example, we're not older than dinosaurs, ...
05/29/2026

There are a lot of things we're older than, and a lot more that we're not. For example, we're not older than dinosaurs, but we are older than sliced bread.

What does this mean? We've been around for a long time. In some ways, much longer than most of Los Angeles. And in that time, we've served youth and families for more than 120 years.

Thank you Optimist Pacific Southwest District for your generous donation and a special shoutout to Carol Morack and Jim ...
05/29/2026

Thank you Optimist Pacific Southwest District for your generous donation and a special shoutout to Carol Morack and Jim Oliver for visiting our main campus.

Two different ways to talk about Optimist, but the mission remains the same.
05/22/2026

Two different ways to talk about Optimist, but the mission remains the same.

What a night! 💙To our generous sponsors: thank you for joining us at An Evening of Optimism and for investing in brighte...
05/20/2026

What a night! 💙

To our generous sponsors: thank you for joining us at An Evening of Optimism and for investing in brighter futures for youth and families across Los Angeles County.

Your support helps create stability, healing, and hope. We’re so grateful to have you in our corner.

05/18/2026

This week for , Mental Health Therapist Nayeli Rodriguez, ACSW, shares how healthy communication between a caregiver and child can strengthen their relationship and help improve personal well-being.

05/14/2026

For Mental Health Awareness Month, Jossie, AMFT, shares the importance of rest! Even 10-15 minutes a day of intentional, low-effort activities can make a difference in your well-being.

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1660 Hillhurst Ave
Los Angeles, CA
90026

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