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SUMMER 2015 Newsletter ALLIANCE VOICE Preventing Abuse & Promoting Futures 6 Toddler’s Solid Start 4 Collaborate for Impact 5 $1.3 Million Raised at Dinner 8 Donors Make it all Possible 14 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AroundAround the the Alliance Alliance CHAIR Cliff Gilbert-Lurie Ziffren Brittenham LLP A MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY Amy M. Hawkes Ernst & Young LLP BOARD CHAIR TREASURER MYTHS ABOUT SINGLE PARENT Chris B. Walther Activision Blizzard CLIFF GILBERT-LURIE & MONKEYING ADOPTIONS DISPELLED Matthew Babrick CEO an adoptive mother explains the facts Goldman, Sachs & Co. Peter Benedek AROUND United Talent Agency JANIS SPIRE James P. Clark Chief Deputy Attorney, City of L.A. Russell Madness star Crystal the Monkey joined us at a recent Trent Copeland Attorney & Legal News Analyst for 600 young children to overcome Adoption Day. Thank you to producer Anna McRoberts for Nancy de Brier developmental delays. Looking ahead, creating so much fun for our kids and families! Attorney & Child Advocate we’ll reach more through our parenting Michael Downer Capital Research & Mgmt. Co. teen program (page 6), which prevents Scott A. Edelman Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher abuse and the cycle of foster care for 1. Nathen Garson and Crystal Susan F. Friedman children born to foster teens. 1 NBC News (Retired) 2. Crystal at the bench with Judge Nash Leslie Gilbert-Lurie* 2 Writer, Child Advocate & Attorney Our efforts on behalf of relative foster Barbara Grushow families resulted in the historic enactment Barbara Grushow Designs of the Approved Relative Caregiver Angie Harmon Actress & Child Advocate Program to provide funding that will lift Jodie Blum is an active volunteer passionate about Yasmine Delawari Johnson Thank you for your tremendous children out of poverty. We will continue Child Advocate working with foster youth. As the executive director Jo Kaplan turnout and generous support for our to push for a system that meets each Referee, Juvenile Court of GrammyU, she hosted a job shadow day for youth Annual Dinner (page 8) and RIGHT to child’s unique needs (page 12). Mitchell T. Kaplan interested in the music industry. Jodie has always Kaplan Stahler Agency LAUGH (page 10) events. We could not wanted to adopt and we were thrilled to help create Gwyn Lurie accomplish any of our goals without Supporting the transition to Alcove Films her forever family with Tristan, 5, earlier this year. the financial support and dedication of independence for young adults makes 3 Karen Mack Writer & Producer all of you who have been friends to our a huge difference. In the last decade, MYTH: YOU CAN’T ADOPT A CHILD AS A Steven A. Marenberg* Alliance family over the years. we’ve reached 20,000 youth, bridging Irell & Manella LLP SINGLE PARENT. Sue Naegle the gap to self-sufficiency. Through the Naegle Ink FACT: I went through the same protocol and With your help, we have exceeded L.A. Opportunity Youth Collaborative Kevin Reilly evaluations as any other family. There weren’t Turner Broadcasting System many goals in our five year strategic (page 5), even more will complete challenges due to me being a single parent, but of Rick Rosen plan. We focused efforts on infants and school and start a career. Recently, a William Morris Endeavor course some days you think “wow, I could use a little toddlers, children raised by relatives former youth client, now a social worker, Bruce Rosenblum more help.” Legendary Television and the most vulnerable transition-age stopped by to pick up resources for her Phillip Rudolph foster youth. own clients. Moments like that bring Jack in the Box, Inc. MYTH: THE PROCESS WAS TOO LONG AND DIFFICULT. Susan Saltz such special meaning to our work. FACT: While navigating services and the court process Child Advocate In the past year, the Saltz Family José F. Sanchez can be complicated, I would never think twice about Sidley Austin LLP Early Intervention Advocacy Center Thank you for helping to make this 3. Crystal had the my son. You’ll do anything to make sure they have the Toni M. Schulman* obtained assessments and therapies all possible! Geary family cracking up Child Advocate best of everything so they are healthy and happy. Pamela Soper, ex officio CBS Television Bart H. Williams* MYTH: WHEN YOU DON’T ADOPT A BABY, YOU LOSE Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP 2014 Programs at a Glance Adoption and OUT ON ‘FIRSTS’. Noelle Wolf Adoption Support THANK YOU JUNIOR LEAGUE! (8,028* children served) FACT: I wanted a child between 3-5 years old, and Child Advocate 873 Robert J. Woolway we’ve experienced lots of firsts together. Tristan was Trinity Capital LLC with me when he lost his first tooth. The tooth fairy NextStep: PRESIDENT & CEO Transition-Age Youth Guardianship thing was new for me too! He also went on his first Janis Spire 1,759 586 airplane ride, his first trip to the beach and of course I CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Michael House was there for his first day of kindergarten. Education and LEGAL DIRECTOR Early Child Development Laura Streimer Healthcare 1,147 DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 425 Margy Feldman CELEBRATE UPCOMING ADOPTION DAYS COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Constance Farrell JULY 31 & NOVEMBER 20, NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY *Includes brief services and Benefits and Special Junior League of Los Angeles hosted a phenomenal life skills * Past Chairs trainings for 2,123 children and families Needs Support workshop series empowering 80 young women in foster care! 1,115 ALLIANCE VOICE | Summer 2015 kids-alliance.org | 3 Pro Bono Spotlight Program Highlight PROSKAUER ADVOCATES FOR COLLABORATE TAY SUCCESS TODDLER’S SOLID START FOR IMPACT so he can walk, talk and learn to prepare more transition-age foster youth for success in school and work When Laura’s mother became ill and was given one year to The Los Angeles Opportunity Youth Collaborative (OYC), which works in partnership live, Laura decided to realize her own dreams and give her with multiple agencies and builds pathways to education and employment for mother the joy of a grandchild. Laura, a teacher, adopted transition-age foster youth (TAY), is shaping a course of action for the year ahead. Jesse Sauceda spent most of his from the foster care system, knowing that many children Four implementation groups are working to improve policies, resolve system barriers life in foster care and aged out into languish there without the love of a family. Baby William and enable TAY to obtain education and employment opportunities: homelessness without a high school entered Laura’s home and the hearts of Laura and her mother diploma. He found the soon after. Coalition 1. Pathways to Successful Outcomes for TAY: Focuses on navigating smooth for Responsible Community transitions for youth with a coordinated referral network and services to get youth . He enrolled in a diploma The Alliance met Laura and William through our medical- Development on track to complete high school, achieve higher education and become ready for program and secured a mentor. legal partnership at L.A. County + USC Medical Center, work and gainfully employed. Soon after, he got a construction job where William was being treated for Fetal Alcohol through YouthBuild. Jesse recently Syndrome. Laura repeatedly sought to get William 2. Youth Leadership: Engages youth as ambassadors, spokespeople and moved into his first apartment. speech and other therapies, but she was denied. A self advocates. Sense of Home furnished his new place and Jesse proudly shares Laura needed legal muscle, so the Alliance asked pro bono problem; colors and full sentences are next,” said Laura. 3. Federal, State and Local Policy Reforms: Makes policy recommendations to photos with everyone he sees. partner Proskauer Rose attorneys Anthony DiBenneditto Laura is confident in Williams’s future thanks to the remove system barriers and ensure policies are tailored to best support the needs and Joe Perez to take the case. Their fierce advocacy in an dedicated attorneys at Proskauer. Even better, Laura’s mom of TAY. The effectiveness of the OYC is evident intense negotiation with the agency resulted in substantial has recovered from her illness and can share in that future! additional therapies for William. in Jesse’s success: he now has a home, 4. Collection and Use of Data: Develops a set of common indicators to collect and diploma and work experience, and is evaluate the measurable outcomes for youth and the efforts of the collaborative. finally creating the life he wanted. “It was is so intimidating, especially with my son’s wellbeing on the line,” said Laura. “Knowing that I had “All pro bono matters are worthwhile, but I’m an engaged and responsive team fighting for my son was invested in cases like this where years from wonderful beyond words.” now, we could sit down and track how William progressed because of what we set out to do” The therapies that the Proskauer team obtained have made OYC THEORY OF CHANGE a big difference. Now three, William is walking, running and - Joe Perez, Attorney Proskauer Rose MOVING THE SMALL GEARS MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE making friends at school. “ABCs and counting to ten are no High School Volunteer Invests in Foster Youth IMPROVED EDUCATION OYC PARTNERS BREAKING AND EMPLOYMENT FOR Nonprofits COLLABORATING DOWN SILOS, TRANSITION-AGE YOUTH Child Welfare FOR IMPACT SYSTEM CHANGE Ashiley Lee began interning at the Alliance in February 2014. She was an School Districts incredible asset, but what truly set her apart was the ingenuity she employed Employers Higher Education to help our clients. Ashiley and her sister sold clothes and other items on Community Providers Ebay and donated $1,000 to the Alliance. She also purchased 100 duffel bags Philanthropy Probation to give to children when they change homes.