L.L. Foundation for Youth has provided Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services with a grant of $100,000.00. OYHFS has been dedicated to helping children in and at risk of foster care achieve success at home, at school, and beyond for over a century. In response to the fragmented services experienced by many youth in the child welfare system, OYHFS provides a full continuum of care that supports youth over time, across all levels of care, and into adulthood.

The funding from this grant, along with additional funding and contracts, has enabled the organization to renovate old dormitories, modernize its facilities, and provide affordable and safe transitional housing for former foster youth, along with a community garden, large kitchen, and recreation facilities. Additionally, OYHFS has successfully implemented a program with case management support centered around wellness, education, relationships, and career. With the program in place and the housing almost completed, OYHFS was able to accept the contract offered by LA County Child and Family Services for providing transitional housing for 18+-year-old foster youth and allowing them to serve more young adults.

We are really very appreciative of LLFY Foundation. It has been transformative for us: it was the right gift, the right size, at the right time. It lined up.

Todd Sosna, Ph.D., CEO