Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell, City of Long Beach, 4th District, The Long Beach Housing Development Company (LBHDC), LINC Housing and United Friends of the Children (UFC), will gather with the community to celebrate the completion and grand opening of The Palace. The historic 1920s hotel has been transformed into 13 studio apartments for emancipated foster youth.
In Los Angeles County there are more than 22,000 children in foster care and every year 1,400 emancipate. According to UFC, without meaningful intervention, many of these young people will become homeless or chronically unemployed within two-to-four years of leaving foster care. In California, 36 percent of foster youth become homeless within 18 months of emancipation.
These alarming statistics were the backdrop for The LBHDC, LINC, and UFC’s partnership to create a better future for youth who age out of the foster care system.UFC’s Pathways program creates enduring relationships and challenges the program participants to better themselves in a safe and secure environment, while empowering them on their journey to become successful and independent adults. With a building lifespan of more than 50 years, The Palace will provide a stable home to hundreds of young adults working toward gaining employment, finding their own apartment, and completing their education.
Through funding from The LBHDC, LINC Housing's renovation and the implementation of UFC's innovative Pathways Transitional Living program, former foster youth have the opportunity to access the critical education, employment, and life skills training they need to lead happy and fulfilling lives - all within the safety and security of their own apartment.
Who:
Bob Foster, Mayor, City of Long Beach (invited)
Patrick O'Donnell, Councilmember, 4th District, City of Long Beach
Patrick Brown, Chair, The Long Beach Housing Development Company
Hunter Johnson, President and CEO, LINC Housing Corporation
Polly Williams, President, United Friends of the Children
United Friends of the Children Alumni and Palace Residents
