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In a heartwarming show of community support on September 25, Seen&Heard’s friends and supporters gathered for a happy hour event and achieved something extraordinary. What began as a $30,000 fundraising goal quickly grew into a celebration, with a total of $40,150 raised by the night’s end. Seen&Heard – a Los Angeles nonprofit that empowers former foster youth and other system-impacted young people through trauma-informed performing arts programs – is now energized by this win and looking ahead to an even bigger goal: raising $100,000 by December 31, 2025.
Community Unites to Raise $40,150 for Los Angeles Youth
Now, we are channeling this momentum into our next campaign: an effort to raise $100,000 by year’s end to meet the growing needs of our students. Every dollar will help to:
- Keep alumni involved as paid teaching assistants, enabling program graduates to pay it forward as mentors for the next cohort.
- Bring weekly classes to more underserved neighborhoods, with resources like transportation so that every student – from Pomona to the Antelope Valley – can attend classes consistently.
- Build the organization’s capacity to welcome every young person who wants to join, ensuring Seen&Heard can keep up with rising demand and never turn a willing student away.
Each of the above outcomes means more youth will have the chance to learn, heal, and grow through the arts. It’s all part of Seen&Heard’s commitment to make sure no one falls through the cracks when they reach out for a helping hand.
From 4 to 136: A Growing Movement to Reach More Youth
Seen&Heard’s journey over the past few years has been nothing short of remarkable. Founded in 2018 with just four students in its first class, our program has since expanded dramatically – by 2023, a total of 136 youth had participated in Seen&Heard’s classes, workshops, and community events.
Why Trauma-Informed Arts Matter for Foster Youth
The young people at the heart of Seen&Heard’s work have stories that all too often include trauma and instability. In Los Angeles County, our program serves system-impacted youth ages 16–24 – including teens and young adults who have been in foster care, survived trafficking, or been involved with the juvenile justice system. Many have faced homelessness or grown up in under-resourced neighborhoods. These are the youth who are so often overlooked, yet who have limitless potential waiting to be unlocked with the right support.
That’s where trauma-informed performing arts comes in. Trauma-informed means Seen&Heard’s instructors and curriculum are sensitive to what these youth have been through, creating a safe, supportive space for them to express themselves. Through theater games, storytelling, and personal creative projects, students begin to rebuild their confidence. They learn to communicate, collaborate, and shine in front of an audience – building emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and real-world skills for school, work, and life.
Amazing Outcomes: Why Our Program Works
What makes Seen&Heard different is our ability to reach the heart of what holds young people back. By addressing trauma at its root, we equip former foster and other system-impacted youth with the tools, confidence, and life skills they need to thrive in school, work, and beyond.
And the results speak for themselves:
- 70% of our graduates say they feel more self-confident than when they started.
- 85% report feeling comfortable speaking in front of others—a huge step for youth who once struggled to be heard.
- 80% say they now communicate better in all areas of life.
Our alumni have gone on to achieve incredible things—graduating from top colleges like UCLA and even earning master’s degrees from Columbia University. Two have received once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to study and live abroad, proving what’s possible when young people are given the chance to be seen and heard.
Every donation to Seen&Heard fuels stories like these and helps young people turn pain into purpose and build bright, independent futures.
How You Can Help: Donate, Volunteer, Spread the Word
As Seen&Heard looks toward the future, we invite you to be part of this journey. The need is growing, and reaching our $100,000 goal means opening doors for even more young people. If you’ve been moved by this story and are wondering how to make a difference, the answer is simple: donate now. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to launching new classes and changing more lives. If you’re looking to make a direct impact – maybe searching online for the best charities to donate to or meaningful charities near me – consider Seen&Heard as a way to support foster youth right here in Los Angeles. And giving money isn’t the only way to help: we also welcome those who have been looking for volunteer opportunities near me to get involved in our workshops or events. Even spreading the word to your friends, family, and colleagues makes a difference; it might connect the next mentor, donor, or student to our community.
Ways You Can Help
- Give monthly—small, steady gifts power big, steady outcomes.
- Sponsor a class—underwrite instruction so another young person can enroll.
- Volunteer—host a mini-info session at work or volunteer your time at our next event.
In the end, it’s about so much more than dollars and cents – it’s about “moving a young person one step closer to a diploma, a stable career, and a future they get to write.” Every act of support counts. Together, we can ensure that Los Angeles’s system-impacted youth not only dream, but have the chance to dance, sing, speak, and soar toward the bright futures they deserve.
Thank you for keeping the lamps of hope lit. Because of you, young people find their footing—and their way forward.