United Friends of the Children

UFC's mission is to empower current & former foster youth to self-sufficiency. Our service-enriched Scholars (education-focused) & Pathways to Independence (transitional housing for 18-25 year-olds) programs provide advocacy & consistent relationships with a caring community. We increase the positive life outcomes of youth by focusing on educational, workforce development, & transitions to stable housing. Grounded in positive youth development literature we utilize a long-term relationship approach which is a defining mark of the organization.

United Friends of the Children and TWINSPIRE are partnering to provide financial literacy workshops to 50 youth in Los Angeles County’s foster care system. Participants will gain valuable knowledge and economic opportunities to disrupt generational poverty. Led by former foster youth and financial expert, Demonte “Tray” Thompson, TAY foster youth (ages 16-24) will participate in cohort-based workshops designed to increase the financial health and stability of foster youth as they transition to college and adulthood.

The Scholars Program is specifically designed to meet the critical need for high-touch, relationship-focused programming focusing on the educational attainment of youth in Los Angeles County’s foster care system. Providing a suite of services including educational case management and advocacy, college-readiness workshops, college tours, enrichment activities, youth development, and peer-led leadership opportunities, academic support, and financial aid, LA foster youth are able to bridge the gap between them and their non-foster peers.

By providing LA County foster youth with a support network of caring adults and a host of program opportunities, the project will help more than 700 youth to reach successful independence.

Believing that college access and success is the best path to self-sufficiency, United Friends of the Children has created an 11-year educational support continuum that helps foster youth graduate from high school, aspire to and attain college acceptance, and earn their Bachelors degree. 100% of those in our Readiness program 4 years or more graduate HS, with more than 50% matriculating directly to 4-yr. schools; 70% of those in our College Sponsorship program earn a Bachelors within 5 years.

UFC's College Readiness Program supports foster children from grades 7-12 so they graduate from high school and move on to college careers.