Our Adopt-a-Family Program stabilizes and rehabilitates homeless families by moving them out of shelters and into a new home.
We meet and evaluate the prospective families, at our camp and through agency referrals, to determine that the parents are drug and alcohol free, have job skills, and are committed to improving their lives.
If the family is adopted, we provide the needed funds, assistance in the physical move, and supply them with furniture and appliances.
Families we adopt become permanent members of our foundation family. Their children attend our Care Through College Learning Center, and our Summer Camp FUN Enrichment Program. We continue to see all the families on a regular basis, by home visitations, by phone conferences, through special dinners, monthly field trips, outings and “Family Camp weeks”.
40 Families have successfully transitioned to self-sufficiency.
Several years ago, the CLF began Family Nights once per month in Santa Monica, where the families we serve came together to talk, discuss and dine together, with their children, and our staff. This became a great way to keep in touch with the families, check on the children’s progress, and meet any arising challenges.
One of the greatest concerns which presented itself the most, was the parent’s alarm and anxiety about their child’s academic progress, as well as their futures. They often felt helpless, overworked, and needed the assurances of someone looking out for their children, of being completely on their side of making sure their child receive the best possible education, and academic help.
In February of 2006, these very concerns evolved into the “Care through College” Learning Center, a beautiful, light-filled space in Santa Monica, for the local children enrolled in our Adopt-A-Family Program.
Here is a letter from one of our “kids,” Monica Meza, who joined the
Adopt-A-Family Program in 1994:
“The Children’s Lifesaving Foundation has been there for my family and me for more than a decade. It has been a hard journey, but with the emotional and financial support from the CLF, it has been a lot less of a struggle.
We have gone from living from shelter to shelter, (I met Maria D’Angelo, the President of the CLF, when she came to visit the Way Inn, in Hollywood. My boyfriend Alex and I were 14 years old. This is around the time I became pregnant with my son, Alex, Jr.)
We can’t thank Maria and the CLF enough for all that they have done for us throughout the years. When Alex, Jr. was one month old, we went to live at Maria’s house, until I was able to move into our own apartment.
The CLF with its generosity helped us with paying first and last month’s rent, as well as the deposit fee, furnishings, and appliances. We have been living there for the past five years.
The CLF also awarded me with a college scholarship several years ago, and I am presently employed at a large insurance company.
I have just learned that I will be receiving a scholarship this year from the Soroptimists of West L.A.
Recently, I felt challenged again, because Alex lost his job. Maria & the CLF came to our aid, and since then, Alex is working full time once more.
We feel so fortunate and strong once again.
The CLF was there to make sure that we would remain in our home.
I have great hopes for my son’s future. I know that one day, soon, he will forge his own future. He is seven years old and a great student, and when he is ready, he too, I know, will receive a college scholarship from the CLF.
My thanks to you all who have helped the CLF grow, and continue to help more young people like myself. I love the CLF and its staff and friends, for all they have done for me, and my family. Thank you.”
This is a very significant program to the CLF, and one that is very easy for friends to get involved in.
Please e-mail us if you are interested in sponsoring a family.
