CARRY Activities

In December 2009, CARRY hosted a holiday party for girls from several of the foster homes at Maggiano's Little Italy Restaurant at The Grove in Los Angeles. The girls were treated to a three-course meal as CARRY also provided gifts for all in attendance. There was great delight in seeing the excitement upon receiving the gifts CARRY gave. The CARRY board members enjoyed interacting with the foster youth and learning more about their incredible stories. CARRY continues to provide opportunities for foster youth care to explore a variety of activities outside of those to which they are accustomed.

Monthly visits by CARRY to foster homes in Los Angeles help CARRY interact with at-risk youth and provide opportunities for CARRY to be of valuable assistance. In addition, work is currently underway towards the donation of fitness equipment at the homes as well as fitness and self-defense instruction by a European and World Champion instructor.

Growing Up CARRY...

Briana has been a part of the CARRY program since its inception and in 2009 we watched her graduate from high school. When Briana first came to CARRY she was a withdrawn and standoffish child with a mild skin care condition. Dr. Grimes began her treatment with Briana on the inside and out by offering free skin care treatment and a little "tough love talk" to boot. Briana continued to visit Dr. Grimes and the CARRY team took a special interest in assuring that Briana was staying on track for a successful life – in spite of the foster care situation. This summer Briana had dinner with Dr. Grimes and some of the CARRY team followed by a shopping spree for back-to-school items. Briana left with a big smile on her face and was certain of the direction in which she was headed. Her biggest thanks went to the confidence CARRY provided by offering her ways to see herself in a beautiful way inside and out. That's what happens when you grow up CARRY!

Disneyland Is For Everyone...

Twenty youth from Maryvale took off on a trip to Disneyland sponsored by CARRY. The youth began distanced from the CARRY team but soon warmed up and chatted eagerly away about riding "It's a Small World" and "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride". "It was so exciting to see the spark in the children's eyes when we walked up to Disneyland, but, then to talk with them about their first time visit there began to put tears in my eyes," CARRY board member Kandra King said. "It also proved that our mission to work with this population and try to reunite them with their siblings is right on target. Some of the kids enjoyed the trip simply because they had been reunited with a sister or brother." In addition to this trip, CARRY provides outside activities to foster care youth throughout the year.