By Development Team | Kidsave Staff
Children in foster care often face steep challenges when it comes to building trust and finding lasting support. That’s why Kidsave’s work focuses on creating opportunities for connection — moments that can spark hope and lead to lifelong relationships. Two recent events, the Universal Studios Weekend Miracles recruitment day and the MiracleMakers Golf Tournament, showed just how powerful community and compassion can be in changing lives.
Opening Doors at Universal Studios
For many older kids in foster care, joining a program like Weekend Miracles can feel intimidating or even out of reach. To help bridge that gap, the Los Angeles Weekend Miracles team hosted a special recruitment event at Universal Studios designed to reach youth we hadn’t connected with before — including some who had previously declined to participate.
The event gave kids a chance to experience something joyful and exciting while learning more about how Weekend Miracles could help them build meaningful relationships. It worked — 45 youth attended, and nearly half (22) later joined the next Weekend Miracles event. A few who had said “no” in the past even changed their minds after seeing the program in action.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Every single youth reported having fun, and almost all shared that the discussion and panel helped them better understand the program. Many said they wanted to come back for another event. The top reasons they wanted to get involved were simple but powerful — the chance to have fun, to feel included, and to have something positive to do on the weekends.
The event also highlighted what kids hope to gain from a mentoring relationship: learning real-life skills like driving or budgeting, exploring new places, and having someone to turn to for support. By creating a relaxed, joyful space, this event reminded us that connection begins with trust — and trust often begins with fun.
Teeing Off for a Cause: The MiracleMakers Golf Tournament
A few weeks later, Kidsave supporters came together for a day filled with sunshine, community, and generosity at the 22nd Annual MiracleMakers Golf Classic at the Pacific Palms Resort.
Golfers started their morning with breakfast burritos, Bloody Marys, and a putting contest before heading out to the greens. Volunteers from Banc of California brought great energy to on-course games, and our sponsors helped make the day memorable from start to finish.
As the tournament wrapped up, guests enjoyed a celebratory dinner and participated in a lively raffle and live auction featuring everything from a ride on the Goodyear Blimp to luxury getaways. The competition was fierce, the bids were generous, and by the end of the night, the event raised over $25,000 to support Kidsave’s programs.
One of the most touching moments of the day came when Yhoser, a teen who found his forever family through Kidsave’s Summer Miracles program, shared his story. Hearing firsthand how Kidsave changed the course of his life reminded everyone why these events matter. Every swing, every bid, and every show of support helps kids like Yhoser find family, stability, and hope for the future.
A Shared Mission
Both of these events — one focused on reaching new youth and one on raising funds — represent the same vision: a world where every child has the chance to be seen, loved, and supported.
Through your continued support, Kidsave can reach more youth, create more moments of connection, and bring more families together. Together, we are building brighter futures — one relationship at a time.
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