“Making a difference in the lives of foster-care and at-risk youth by providing programs that enhance self-esteem, self-worth, self-sufficiency, and long term success.”
CARRY founder Dr. Pearl Grimes, an internationally recognized, board-certified dermatologist and the medical director of the Vitiligo and Pigmentation Institute of Southern California, believes that children should be provided with equal opportunities regardless of socio-economic status or background.
Dr. Grimes believes the lessons of resilience and compassion she learned as a child made the difference between triumph and failure. In a desire to give back to the community, Dr. Grimes volunteered with a number of organizations working with foster-care and at-risk youth before founding CARRY in 2005.
CARRY’s initial efforts were in Dr. Grimes’ field, offering pro bono dermatology services to other non-profits serving foster and at-risk youth including My Friends’ Place, a homeless shelter for teens in Hollywood and Dreamcatchers Foster Homes. As services expanded to other organizations serving at-risk youth, it became clear that these youngsters required numerous resources for success. Many children become part of the foster care system because of confirmed child abuse or neglect. Hence, their childhood had become severely compromised and complicated by adverse childhood experiences. Unfortunately, the foster care system has often been unresponsive to their individualized needs. Indeed, many of these children were “old” before their time, having fended for themselves on some of L.A.’s toughest streets before finding shelter and guidance in programs geared toward at-risk and foster youth.
Given such dire circumstances, at-risk and foster youth often grow up lacking self-esteem, self-worth, and essential life skills. Due to the overwhelming needs of this population, CARRY then expanded to try to bridge this gulf. The organization expanded its programs to include monthly camp opportunities, summer camp experiences, social skills programs, musical theatre and performing arts, etiquette classes as well as a scholarship program. These programs fulfill CARRY’s mission to make a difference in the lives of foster-care and at-risk youth by providing programs that enhance self-esteem, self-worth, self-sufficiency, and long-term success.
Since its inception, the organization has provided more than $150,000 annually in pro bono services. CARRY clinics have provided services to more than 4,000 youth. We have provided life-changing social skills programs for 400+ junior high and high school students. Our scholarship program has facilitated college support for multiple foster youth. We continue to move forward with the goal of impacting more lives each year.
– We carry our youth to a safe, secure and productive place.-