El Monte, CA – For some families, the holidays can be a stressful time. More than 90 percent of those receiving treatment from Foothill Family live in poverty-level or under-served households and many struggle to meet basic essentials.
To ensure every one of our kids and their caregivers would have a gift to open this holiday, Heads Up Youth Foundation came alongside Foothill Family as the Lead Sponsor on the Making Seasons Brighter holiday program of Foothill Family’s El Monte/Santa Anita Family Center and created a pop-up shop where families could select gifts for each other and their family while enjoying a festive experience with music, arts and crafts, delicious treats and even gift-wrapping stations.
The Heads Up Youth Foundation began as one man’s vision towards youth development and empowerment. Rob Fukuzaki, the weekday sports anchor for ABC7 Eyewitness News in Los Angeles and host of the post-game show, Sports Zone, started the foundation in 1997.
Fukuzaki, along with his wife Sharil, collected nearly 600 gifts to support more than 350 kids and families. Gifts included sneakers for teenagers, toys, houseware gifts for adults, jackets, electronics, and books. Their dedication to ensuring the day was a festive and special experience for kids and families, they brought along other community businesses – Bobuzz who provided boba drinks, Cassidy’s Corner provided bagel bombs, Revolve Coffee provided hot cocoa and lavender lemonade, Up, Up and Away provided Facepainting and a balloon artist. Kids could also create their own ornaments at Arts & Crafts station.
On behalf of the families we served, Foothill Family is grateful for the Heads Up Youth Foundation, Rob and Sharil Fukuzaki, community businesses, volunteers and the Foothill Family team who came together to make this incredible event possible and holiday season filled with joy and giving.
ABOUT FOOTHILL FAMILY
Foothill Family was founded in 1926 and provides a range of community-based mental health and social services to at-risk populations in the greater Los Angeles area. Foothill Family has earned a reputation for providing high-quality services aimed at empowering families and strengthening communities. Programs include mental health and school-based counseling for children, child abuse prevention and treatment, domestic violence prevention and treatment, early child development programs, services for pregnant teens and their babies, family counseling, and youth development. Last year, more than 22,000 children and their families benefited from Foothill Family’s life-changing programs.
ABOUT HEADS UP YOUTH FOUNDATION
The Heads Up Youth Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged, at-risk and foster youth. We raise funds to support young people affected by disadvantaged financial and family backgrounds, those who lack the basic necessities and educational opportunities in life. Our goal is to build confidence, instill hope and enrich lives.
The Foundation assists sports and youth organizations that improve the lives of our youth. Through youth-centered activities, whether it may be educational, recreational and/or mentorship, the youth are provided with a positive and safe learning environment. An environment in which they are provided the tools and resources needed to become inspired and to discover a future filled with endless possibilities so they can realize and achieve their goals and dreams. Learn more at www.headsupyouthfoundation.org.
# # #