Sarah McCarthy
Signal staff writer
With students returning to school, many are preparing for the new school year with new supplies, backpacks, clothes and more. But for the more than 60,000 children in California’s foster care systems, receiving these essentials each year can be a challenge.
Tidings for Teens, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering youth in the foster care system, recently held its 10th annual Old Navy shopping event, providing clothing to more than 175 children in the foster care system in the Santa Clarita Valley, Palmdale and Lancaster.
The shopping event took place on July 28th at the Old Navy in Stevenson Ranch after hours.
Tydings for Teens partnered with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services’ Santa Clarita office to hold its first shopping event with Old Navy in 2014. But over the past two years, the nonprofit has expanded its partnerships to DCFS Palmdale and Lancaster, reaching more foster care youth in need.
Tydings for Teens co-founder Kelly Mina said she was inspired to expand after hearing about a huge need for help in the Antelope Valley’s foster care system.
“There is a huge need out there. [Palmdale and Lancaster] “We have kids who really don’t have the basic necessities,” Meena said. “Some of them are in the care of relatives in Santa Clarita, but the need is so great in the Antelope Valley.”
Each foster youth will receive $125 to purchase clothing items at Old Navy, and social workers from DCFS offices in Santa Clarita, Palmdale and Lancaster are encouraging youth and families most in need of supplies to attend the event.
More than 40 volunteers helped run the event, including adult volunteer shoppers who partnered with foster youth to help them shop.
Tydings for Teens raised thousands of dollars for the event, allowing them to provide foster youth with not only clothing, but food, a face painting station and even an ice cream truck.
Sarah and Sophia Hermida are sisters who live in foster care and attended the shopping event. They have four other siblings at home, but they say opportunities like this are crucial to continuing their education at CSUN.
“A lot of foster youth don’t have the opportunity to go to college,” Sarah said. “I feel like this gives us an opportunity to grow and not worry about the basics.”
As the shopping event continues to grow each year, the Hermida sisters encourage foster youth to learn about the opportunities to receive support similar to the support they received from Tidings for Teens.
“A lot of kids don’t know these things exist. This could be the deciding factor as to whether they can pursue a career in the future or not. It’s really helpful,” Sophia said.
To learn more about Tidings for Teens, or to volunteer or donate, visit tidingsforteens.org or contact Tidings for Teens. [email protected] or call 661-600-9412.