20 years of building connections with youth in foster care

"IT TAKES A VILLAGE" - BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT VILLAGE DOESN'T 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


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.


Foster Sustainability	Foster Knowledge
Fundraise	Get Informed
Our campaigners have done some pretty amazing things to build a sustainable and vibrant future for youth in foster care. What will YOU do? Email us to learn more!	Sign up for our email list to receive regular stories and updates from Peace4Kids. We promise, you'll be glad you did!

With youth in foster care facing challenging odds, they deserve 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


ON AVERAGE, FOSTER YOUTH WILL MOVE 7 TIMES DURING PLACEMENT	1 in 5 WILL BE HOMELESS UPON EXITING CARE


1 in 4 FOSTER CARE ALUMNI EXPERIENCE PTSD	NEARLY 50% of YOUTH EXITING CARE WILL NOT HAVE FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL

What makes a Super Hero?

Heroes are born when the world they once knew tragically falls apart. This moment inspires an unexpected pursuit of greatness as they must find the light to guide them through the darkness.

Thinking back to the story of the great super heroes, we're reminded of the experience of our youth. Often feeling isolated and alone, society teaches them that their experiences make them “at risk.” Everyday interactions in our community perpetuate this isolation with the most common phrases like, “take this home to your parents” or “what time is your mom picking you up?” Our young folks are forced to move through life trying to overcome the public's perception of “who they are.”

If you look deeper into Super Hero stories, there's an even more surprising connection…

All of these heroes were youth in foster care!

⚡️Batman is raised by his Butler [non-relative caregiver]

⚡️Superman is taken in by a family in Kansas [adoption]

⚡️Storm is brought to a home for mutant children [group home]

To overcome public perceptions, youth in foster care must be super human.

For 20 years, Peace4Kids has been a safe space for youth to honor the pain of their past and learn to embrace a future that builds on their individual and collective strengths. A home for heroes.

As a result, our youth have received awards from the White House, built innovative structures to feed the community, and even been named to Time Magazine’s “Most Influential People Under 30.”

While these stories are phenomenal, our youth are ready to do more!

Join our Heroes Circle today – Click the button below to make a recurring gift to secure the future for a youth in foster care

For our 20th Anniversary, Peace4Kids is expanding programming to more deeply serve young adults ages 18 – 25. We've learned that these years are the most critical time for the youth in our community. Suddenly the foster care system that once shielded them, thrusts them into a world that is unforgiving to their journey.

By stepping into our Heroes Circle with a monthly donation, you'll build a sustainable future for youth transitioning out of foster care. 100% of your donation funds strength based, youth focused programming in South LA - honoring each youth’s unique needs, experiences, abilities and legacy. In return, you'll:

⚡️Be invited to exclusive events

⚡️Receive a limited edition 20 Year Anniversary t-shirt

⚡️Be inspired by stories of resilience, strength and promise from our Peace4Kids family

⚡️#SeeTheHero in our youth, because the truth is… that’s who they are.

what's new?

Latest from the blog

Breaking Down Barriers

Last year, when Antwoine and our LEAD group developed a list of barriers to their success, homelessness was at the top of the list. Affordable housing is near impossible to come by in Los Angeles and with rental rates often pricing out potential renters, we have lost many Peace4Kids alumni to neighboring cities and states; forced into another move by a system that has failed to adequately serve them. We brainstormed ideas, and shared their list with our volunteers and stakeholders asking folks to support our increased efforts to support our Transitional Age Youth (TAY). In response, over 100 supporters joined our Heroes Circle by signing up for recurring monthly donations. One family, the Mathews were so struck by the housing disparity that they launched their very own foundation Home4LAYouths and offered Peace4Kids TAY a whole floor of apartment units in a building they own in Downtown LA. These units would be offered well below market rate, but we still needed financial support to cover the gap that might exist for some of our transitioning youth. One of our alumni, Angelica Nwandu, was so touched by this family’s generosity that she decided to match their financial gift with one of her own — a $50,000 commitment! Because of these gifts, more youth will have the opportunity to stay in their community to fulfill their educational and career goals. Most importantly, they will gain a sense of ownership and fidelity over their destiny. Antwoine Laws is the first recipient of this housing opportunity. When asked about his initial reaction to the news Antwoine said, “I was shaking. This is a place I can finally call my own - and even though I'm having this adventure on my own, there's still somebody (the Mathew's family) so close that's looking out for me, and that's really dope!" This month, in honor of National Foster Care month, we're excited to share our ongoing strategies to positively change the outcomes of youth in foster care. Watch the video below to hear more from Antwoine, and join the movement today by becoming a part of our Heroes Circle!
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I Wish Every Day Was Saturday!

Last Saturday, over 100 Peace4Kids volunteers, alumnae, caregivers and supporters came together to celebrate the indelible bond created by the Foster Care journey. Steve Yablok and the Fais Do Do family graciously hosted, providing a deeply intimate and connected space. Daniel Lopilato and band filled the air with musical light, love and energy. Thanks to Chloe’s Clean Cuisine, we shared an amazing community meal. Chloe’s original, whole foods, vegan recipes and menu align with the Peace4kids philosophy around sustainable food equity. The tribe’s energy was palpable – tenured and new volunteers spoke to the immediate sense of belonging and the divine nature of connectivity. Each volunteer was acknowledged with an “I wish every day was Saturday” commemorative t-shirt. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as we honored Deirdre Lopilato, Antwoine Laws, Jenny Serrano and Angelica Nwandu - 4 generations deeply impacted by the Foster Care experience. Each shared the value and reciprocal benefit of Peace4Kids, their personal evolution, and the ability to create legacy and change in the child welfare system. We capped off the evening by expanding our Heroes Circle – and receiving a $50K investment from Angelica Nwandu to launch our transitional aged housing program. 80% of Peace4Kids service delivery is selflessly contributed by our amazing volunteer family. We’re deeply grateful for your continued and collective support – accelerating an internal revolution and impacting the community forever.
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20 years of building connections with youth in foster care

"IT TAKES A VILLAGE" - BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT VILLAGE DOESN'T EXIST?

20 years ago, we set out to answer that question

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

Foster Support

Foster Community

Foster Sustainability

Foster Knowledge