Currently more than 463,000 youth nationwide are in foster care
In California, which has the largest foster care population in the U.S., 100 youth are placed in foster care each day, tripling in the last 20 years. We Are Ohana Foundation have formed to radically enhance the lives of foster youth. The foundation’s primary purpose is to bring the dreams of foster youth to life as well as to motivat
e and inspire their future through our resource center. Our mission is to fulfill the dreams of foster youth aging 5-24. Eligible youth write to the organization and describe a dream. Dreams may range from having a car, going on an adventure, meeting an idol, to making it snow in the middle of summer. The possibilities are endless, as we all know imagination has no limits. As long as we have it in our means to fulfill the dream we will. These youth need guidance; our resource center will be a safe environment where we offer free classes and workshops taught by experienced individuals, for the enrichment of foster youth in areas such as art, music, health and independence. As well as the classes being offered at our facility we will provide a safe place for the youth to interact with a game room, crafts, computer lab, and a variety of special events. Of the 26,000 youth who exit out of the foster care system each year, ¼ are incarcerated or homeless within the first 2 years and only half graduate high school. We Are Ohana will change that by having multiple mentors available at the center each day, creating constant support and growth. Despite the common perception that most youth in foster care are young, the average age is over nine years old, with many of teens having babies themselves. Children and adolescents who have experience in foster care are twice as likely to be diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder than US war veterans, therefor meditation, yoga, and counseling are a few programs that will be available at the center to provide emotional stability and guidance. We want to show these kids that whatever they are experiencing at the moment is not the END and that they control their own mind and future. The youth in foster care are worthy of simple joys in their complex worlds. Join us in making a powerful impact on their lives that may shape their future as well as our own. Thank you from all of us at We Are Ohana.
