20 years of building connections with youth in foster care 

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"IT TAKES A VILLAGE" - BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT VILLAGE DOES NOT EXIST? 

20 years ago, we set out to answer that question

Founded on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence, Peace4Kids inspired to build a supportive community for youth in foster care in South Los Angeles.

We weren’t preachers or teachers. Instead, our early years were spent listening and discovering. Tired from hiding in the shadows, our youth were ready to share the strengths gained from their unique experiences and trauma. Honoring their journey helped signal their importance and value in the community. With this profound insight, “Community as Family” emerged and continues to shape how we engage today.

Our youth demonstrated the value of acknowledging personal experience and trauma leading the way for Peace4Kids to develop into a space of healing and discovery for all. Our "Village" has grown organically and exponentially: engaged youth, committed volunteers and community leaders all contribute to our success. Through consistency, trust and deep vulnerability, we've formed life-long relationships.

We’re truly grateful for the thousands of youth we've connected with, and thank each and every one of you for being a part of our Community as Family

 

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Foster Support
Foster Community
Donate Today Volunteer

We can't do it without YOU! Support 100% free programming for South Los Angeles youth in foster care by making your gift today.

Join the Family! Through our programs and training, volunteers develop the skills and knowledge that support foster youth success. 

Every child deserves a supportive community that nurtures their gifts

At Peace4Kids, our vision of "Community As Family" provides consistency, stability and trust - so that youth in care reach their highest potential

 

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Foster Trust
 Foster Strength
Community as Family
Super Powers

By earning youth trust, we overcome one of the key obstacles that "the system" faces when addressing disparities.  Read more...

 Are Super Heroes real? Learn what Superman, Batman and Spiderman have in common with youth in foster care. Read more...

Foster Youth face challenging odds

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ON AVERAGE, FOSTER YOUTH WILL MOVE 7 TIMES DURING PLACEMENT

 1 in 5 WILL BE HOMELESS UPON EXITING CARE
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 1 in 4 FOSTER CARE ALUMNI EXPERIENCE PTSD  

 NEARLY 50% of YOUTH EXITING CARE WILL NOT HAVE FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL

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  • Latest from the blog

    An authentic portrayal of the foster care journey

    While all young adults struggle with finding their voice and their path, those with a history in foster care have complexities that are hard to understand. Typically, the relationships with intergenerational allies – both biological family and friends, help us navigate this difficult transition to adulthood. But what happens when these allies are non-existent? What if those who went before us are the reason why we question our very existence? These are the questions highlighted by our very own Angelica Nwandu & Jordana Spiro in what LA Times dubbed an "Emotionally poignant film". The Director, Jordana, is a former Peace4Kids volunteer and supporter. The co-writer, Angelica (Angie), is an alumna of Peace4Kids and currently sits on our Board of Directors. I do not endorse this film because of my personal ties. In fact, my deeply connected relationship to Angie made watching this film a much more painful experience. I have mentored Angie for the past 15 years of her life. I have witnessed her attempt to anchor her story and heal from the pain of her past. I have watched the dynamics with her sisters shift while her doubts sent her into the darkest corners of her soul. I have also witnessed her find the light and transform her pain into inspiration. Intimately knowing the darkness has given her the ability to see opportunity where others are too afraid to go. 
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    Everything I believe about food, I learned from a five-year-old.

    Everything I believe about food, I learned from a five-year-old. It was her lesson, twenty years ago, that gave birth to our food justice campaigns. In the early days of Peace4Kids, we were only a garden -- the 99th Street Elementary School Peace Garden. I was in my early 20s and a very strict vegan. This caused friction with many of our youth’s parents and caregivers because at all of our program activities, we allowed only plant-based foods to be served. When the children questioned this, I would explain about the food ecosystems and the impact meat has on our health, as well as the environment. As a result, they began requesting plant-based diets at home. This led to nightly calls from angry caregivers during dinner time. The complaint was always the same, “You made these kids not want meat?! Then you need to come over here and feed them.”
    Continue reading

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