We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexa Weishaar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexa, we’d love to hear your thoughts on how Fostering UNITY was started?

The inception of our non-profit organization, Fostering UNITY, stemmed from a deep understanding of the challenges faced by foster families and youth in Los Angeles County. Recognizing that foster parents encounter complex systems and limited resources while youth struggle with trauma, instability, and educational barriers, we embarked on a mission to address these obstacles head-on.

Our journey began in 2020 with a clear vision: to provide foster parents with immediate, personalized support throughout their caregiving experience. We believed in the power of lived experience, ensuring that when caregivers reached out, they would connect with individuals who truly understood their journey and could provide meaningful advice and guidance. While there are numerous services for youth in foster care and initial support for foster parents, we identified a crucial gap in ongoing care and assistance during everyday moments and times of crisis.

Our ultimate aim was to prioritize placement stability for foster youth by nurturing and supporting their caregivers. By offering comprehensive care, educational resources, and fostering a community of like-minded individuals, we sought to empower foster parents and equip them with the tools needed for success. By eliminating the significant barriers that often hinder successful foster placements, we envision creating a brighter future for youth in foster care and their dedicated caregivers.

Through Fostering UNITY, we strive to transform the foster care experience, one caring connection at a time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about the depth of Fostering UNITY as a whole, what can you share with our community?

At Fostering UNITY, our work is driven by a deep commitment to providing comprehensive support throughout the entire foster care journey, rather than solely during the initial stages or in times of crisis. What sets us apart is our belief in the power of building a strong community of foster parents. We recognize that lasting change requires the collective effort of our partners, volunteers, donors, and employees who are genuinely invested in making a sustainable impact.

One of the biggest challenges we face as a non-profit is securing the necessary funding to sustain and expand our programs. We continually seek individuals and organizations who understand the value of supporting our foster community, whether through recurring donations, offering goods and services, or contributing their time to our events and programs. We firmly believe that every person can make a difference in the life of a foster youth by utilizing their strengths and connections and partnering with Fostering UNITY.

Our journey has not been easy, as we confront obstacles, navigate complex systems, and advocate for accessible and inclusive foster care. We continuously educate ourselves on the latest laws and standards, ensuring our foster parents do not have to navigate their journey alone. The more strong partners we recruit, the easier it becomes to provide a united and connected team ready to stand by our foster parents and foster youth.

We want the world to know that they too can make a profound impact, even if they are not directly involved in foster care. By becoming part of our unified village, they can join us in supporting children in foster care and ensuring they do not face life’s challenges alone. We invite individuals to reach out and share their strengths and interests with us, so we can collaborate on meaningful ways they can work alongside Fostering UNITY to create positive change.

At Fostering UNITY, our mission is driven by the unwavering belief that every child deserves a supportive and nurturing environment.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Fostering UNITY distinguishes itself by not only providing an array of resources, programs, and education but by serving as a vital hub for collaboration with other organizations. Our aim is to ensure that our foster parents (caregivers) and youth in foster care receive the most accurate and accessible information available. We are proud to partner with esteemed organizations including the National Center for Youth Law, The Reproductive Health Equity Project, AmeriCorps, Harbor-UCLA, Alliance for Children’s Rights, Saving Innocence, FosterAll, Penny Lane Centers, John Burton Advocates for Youth, Cal-FURS, local community colleges hosting FKCE classes, Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services, CarePortal, Raise a Child, and the Department of Child and Family Services.

Furthermore, we deeply appreciate the individuals who are the driving force behind Fostering UNITY’s impactful services. Their dedicated time, vision, support, and efforts are instrumental to everything we accomplish. Our C.A.R.E Service specialists, including the remarkable Dr. Melissa Daniels, Audrey Cruz, and Faye Holmes, serve as passionate advocates. Arryn Baker, our Program Coordinator, keeps us moving forward in a fun and productive manner. Joyce Ma, our Organizational Development Coordinator, ensures our value within the community and aligns our systems with our mission. Dayna Freier, our Director of Operations, ensures the sustainability, effectiveness, and sound management of our organization’s reporting, data, finances, and systems. Dorothy Daniels, our Executive Director, breathes life into our vision through her support and partnerships with our esteemed allies. And lastly, I, Alexa Weishaar, proudly broadcast our organization’s efforts far and wide, ensuring that people are aware of the invaluable and accessible programs we offer.

At Fostering UNITY, our collective efforts make a lasting impact, thanks to the dedication and commitment of our remarkable team.

Website: https://fosteringunity.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fosteringunityla/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fostering-unity-los-angeles-county/?viewAsMember=true

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FosteringUnity

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FosteringUNITYLA

Image Credits
Fostering UNITY

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