SEPTEMBER 2021
From Fostering to Forever
A thriving toddler, Luis found a forever home with Marcella and her husband, Julio.

The couple hoped to adopt through foster care. That’s when they connected with The Village’s foster care support team, who helped them navigate the process of becoming foster parents. Shortly after that, they welcomed then two-month-old Luis into their home.

Luis was placed in foster care as a result of neglect and domestic violence. Like other infants who experience early childhood trauma, there were signs that Luis was not reaching developmental milestones. Impressive parenting by Marcella and Julio made all the difference. Understanding the impact of trauma, they worked with Luis to address areas where he was falling behind and patiently worked through his fears.

The couple established household routines that helped Luis feel safe and cared for, and they regularly engaged in enrichment activities such as family walks and arts and crafts. Luis has made so much progress that he’s already learning to speak both English and Spanish.  

Concepcion Ramirez, The Village’s Social Worker who followed Luis, was elated to see the positive developments. “Marcella and Julio were intentional about spending time with Luis. I could feel the love in their home."

In July, after two years of fostering, their dream was realized when they joyfully finalized their adoption of Luis.

Note: Names have been changed for privacy purposes. 
Early Intervention Changes Lives
Research shows that the first five years of child development is crucial to their lifelong health and well-being.

In 2020, The Village provided specialized services to 247 children under the age of five though our behavioral health and foster care programs.
Specialized Services for Children and Families
The Village has long been at the forefront of providing culturally sensitive services to children and their families. Our professionals utilize a range of evidence-based practices and innovative approaches, including:

  • The Infancy, Childhood and Relationship Enrichment (ICARE) initial assessment, which identifies each child’s strengths, helps measure developmental progress, and informs strategies for building parent-child relationships.
  • Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) has been cited in more than 100 research studies for its effectiveness in teaching parents the skills needed to manage their child’s severe behavior problems. PCIT has also been proven to reduce trauma symptoms of abused or maltreated children. Using a one-way mirror and headsets, a PCIT therapist observes the parent-child interaction and coaches the parent in real-time.
  • The Village’s Positive Parenting Program is delivered in collaboration with local schools. The multi-week workshops help parents positively and effectively address their child’s challenging behavior using praise, rewards, progress charts, and other tools to encourage following directions and completing assignments.
Greetings from The Village’s Development Team
“I was thrilled to join The Village’s team in June after working in the nonprofit space for more than ten years. Born and raised in San Diego, I’m a Southern California girl at heart. On the weekends, you’ll find me with my husband and two kids at the beach, park, or sporting event. The Village’s mission is very close to my heart, and I am proud to advocate for children, preserving families, and building stronger, safer communities throughout Los Angeles.”
“I joined The Village team nearly two years ago and have worked for nonprofits since I was 16. I am passionate about storytelling, advocacy, and raising awareness for the needs of my community. I love to travel, connect with friends and family over good food, and explore Los Angeles. Working at The Village has increased my awareness of youth struggling with homelessness. Their stories continually fuel my commitment to help.”
We look forward to working with all of you — The Village’s donors, supporters, and community partners!