Fostering Normalcy

Foster youth are forced to grow up so very quickly – Friends of Ohana aims to give foster youth a piece of their childhood back. We want to make sure that these youth don’t miss out on normal teen experiences such as attending school dances, playing sports, or getting a driver's license. Through normal childhood experiences, Friends of Ohana helps youth build self-esteem, foster healthy relationships, and develop essential life skills necessary for their future.

Celebrations & Events

Friends of Ohana is the extended family to hundreds of youth in foster care. Celebrating foster youth helps them to feel like they belong and are part of a family and community. Celebrations are a time for joy and togetherness and we create moments and memories of feeling loved and valued that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Friends of Ohana funds and organizes:

Birthday Gifts & Celebrations
Graduation Gifts & Celebrations
Family-like Holiday Celebrations
Easter Egg Hunt & Easter Baskets
Thanksgiving Dinners for Foster Youth
Christmas Gift Drives & Foster Youth Sponsorships

New Clothing & Shoes

Being a teen isn’t easy for anyone, but being a teen in foster care can be especially difficult. By providing new clothing and shoes we are not only helping meet their basic needs, but also bringing them a sense of dignity and a boost of self-esteem. Friends of Ohana provides:

Name brand shoes & clothing
Formal wear for school dances or graduations
New Clothing for Job Interviews
Swimwear for Summer Camp
Warm clothing for Winter Camp

Winter & Summer Camp

The simple pleasures many kids take for granted can be a luxury for foster youth. An everyday activity like camp can become a magical experience for them. Foster youth can often feel unnoticed because of their circumstances, camp is a golden opportunity for them to feel cherished and included. New experiences like seeing the ocean for the first time, throwing their first snowball and singing around the campfire are memories that will last a lifetime. Friends of Ohana fully funds two camps annually for hundreds of foster youth.

Summer Camp
June 2024
San Diego, California

Winter Camp
February 2025
Williams, Arizona

Sports & Extracurricular Activities

Participating in sports and extracurricular activities has a profound impact on the physical, emotional, and social well-being of foster youth by instilling values such as discipline, responsibility, and perseverance. Foster youth often lack stability in their lives and the structure and routine of sports is particularly beneficial for them. Coaches and teammates serve as positive role models providing guidance, support and encouragement to foster youth. In order to give the opportunity for all foster youth to experience these benefits, Friends of Ohana provides: