Walden Family Services, a Southern California-based nonprofit foster care-to-adoption and transition-age youth housing agency, celebrated its committed philanthropists March 16 at the organization’s third annual Fostering Hearts Legacy Luncheon.
The event at the San Diego-landmark Mister A’s honored current and former Board of Directors members and long-time donors who have made a lasting pledge to support Walden’s pioneering work to provide quality care for foster youth, young adults and families throughout Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego.
“Through their generous philanthropy and dedication to our board and vision, Walden Legacy Circle members help ensure the long-term sustainability of Walden’s services for foster youth ages zero to 24,” said Teresa Stivers, CEO of Walden Family Services. “Their commitment highlights Walden’s 42 years of service and further strengthens our ability to serve the diverse, and changing, needs of our communities.”
Launched three years ago, the Walden Legacy Circle acknowledges community members who have made a planned gift to guarantee Walden continues providing innovative and effective foster care, adoption and youth programs that help children and young adults with developmental disabilities and special health care concerns as well as mental and behavioral health challenges heal from trauma and reach their full potential.
Walden Legacy Circle members include San Diego philanthropists Mary Alice and Ron Brady, Michelle and Art Candland, Hilary and Hal Dunning, Terri and Craig Gainor, Arlene Lieberman and Maryanne and Harley Sefton.
Walden’s unique range of foster and adoptive services place LGBTQ children and youth with supportive families and includes transitional and preventative programs that successfully assist young adults transitioning out of the foster care system and support young parents entering parenthood to end the cycle of child abuse.
Learn more about Walden Family Services and building a legacy at www.waldenfamily.org.