The Leonard Hill Hope Center is a charitable foundation that takes in foster children. The foundation has been a leader in creating programs to raise standards of caring for dangerously at risk and “down-on-their-luck” children in the County of Los Angeles.
This program serves more than 19,000 children that are in need of a loving home, parents, food, shelter, and education. A majority of these kids have suffered through some type of abuse, child neglect, and/or violence. The Violence Intervention Programs (VIP) newest building will provide services to foster children and young adults.
Children in the foster care system face more challenges than children who are not. According to research, by age 19, 45 percent of foster youth will be homeless and living on the streets, 46 percent won’t graduate high school, and 50 percent of females will become pregnant or already have children. The VIP project, which is three years in the making, will offer the most vulnerable a chance to get off the streets and get their lives back on track. The program will provide mental health support, educational tools, and specialty care for LGBTQ teens, life skills, and links other vital resources.
Leonard Hill Hope Center will open on Sept. 14 at 11 a.m. and will hopefully promote a new sense of community with foster youth. The center is a newly renovated 12,000 square foot space. Nearly 200 participants are expected to attend the grand opening with notable guests including First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis; Director of Los Angeles County Health Agency Dr. Mitchell Kats; USC Keck School of Medicine Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs Frank Sinatra; Executive Director Dr. Astrid Heppenstall Heger; and Dr. Patricia Gordon, founder of CureCervicalCancer, H.E.A.R.T Board Member, and widow to Leonard Hill.
For more information about the grand opening call Hailey Jures at (323) 221-4134 x 222. Valet and self parking is available at the site parking lot at 1748 Sichel St., Los Angeles.
