This year, because of budget cuts, the county has decided to let go of the annual Christmas Party for the Foster Children of Walden Family Services. Something that, as you may already know, is very valuable and special to a child. It's the time of the year when they can feel the excitement of opening gifts, have fellowship with others and meet Santa Claus -- to wish for something that they want with all their heart. It's that moment to really feel like a kid, a moment to feel wanted and part of a family. As per the event, the children will be enjoying an all you can eat buffet, countless tokens to play games of their choice around the restaurant, a number of prizes and gifts and the special participation of "Santa Claus".

We are organizing a Fundraising event for the benefit of this project. We are also accepting online donations if you are not able to make the Fundraising event. Our target date to pool in all donations is by November 28, 2008.

Fundraising Event

When: Saturday November 22, 2008 at 8:00 pm

Where: 831 S. Douglas St, El Segundo, CA 90245

Bands Playing: Elias Deleault, Taken by Light, Geo Perez, The Jelous Monkeys, Sounds of Sirens, AQQUARELA, DJ JoVee

Run down of the event for Kids

Chuck E Cheese party
Monday, December 8, 2008
5:00-9:00pm
(The restaurant is closed for the night so that the families and children can enjoy the venue.)

16269 San Fernando Mission Blvd.
Granada Hills, CA 91344
888 366-6022

Attendance: 175 people (Foster Kids, Foster Parents and Social Workers (staff)

This holiday party is a time when Walden's foster parents and children come together and celebrate the holiday season. The families are provided with an all they can eat buffet of pizza, soda and salad bar. In addition, the children are given tokens to play at the countless games around the restaurant.

Walden staff takes pictures of the families and Santa Claus "magically" appears to greet the children and takes pictures with them. Additionally, Walden raffles off prizes/gifts (if any) that have been donated to the families.

Due to recent budget cutbacks and the economic state, Walden has had to cut back on family activities, but, we are working diligently to garner funds from the community and donors to pay for the holiday party. The estimated cost for the party is $2,500.

More Information about Walden

History
Walden Family Services, a private, non-profit California corporation, was founded in 1976 to provide quality care for abused and neglected children in a residential group homes. In 1983, Walden transitioned into foster care and pioneered one of California’s first “Treatment Foster Care” programs to offer children and teenagers an alternative to group home placements. Walden expanded its foster care program in 1994 to include services for children with developmental disabilities.

With a staff of over 115 highly trained social service professionals, licensed therapists, and support personnel, Walden provides services to more than 400 children daily in over 300 certified foster homes in Southern California. Walden Family Services serves Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange and surrounding counties.

Walden Family’s Services’ mission is to support the lives of children and families through lasting relationships. Walden works to ensure that children in the foster care system are placed with loving, stable families, therefore providing youth with the necessary supports for building successful, fulfilling lives.

Why is Walden needed in the community?
In California, the number of children in foster care has more than quadrupled since 1980. In San Diego County alone, there are over 7,000 youth in foster care. Foster care children remaining in the county welfare system will typically be moved to an average of ten different foster homes*, creating tremendous disruption in a child’s life and in his or her ability to form healthy relationships.

What makes Walden Family Services special?

  • Walden offers extensive pre-certification training and on-going educational opportunities for foster parents.
  • All of our social workers have a Master’s Degree and an average of 5 years of experience in the field when they join the Walden team.
  • Our social workers have small caseloads so they can provide individualized support to Walden families, including weekly home visits.
  • Comprehensive mental health services are available on-site.
  • Walden staff is available on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Respite care is available to foster families approximately 6 times a year.