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Illumination Foundation, a nonprofit organization with the mission to disrupt the cycle of homelessness, is hosting Carnival for Kids for children and families who are unstably housed on July 30 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at La Palma Park in Anaheim. Carnival for Kids provides an exciting carnival experience while funding supportive programs that provide safety, stability, and shelter to vulnerable families in Orange County.
Carnival for Kids provides children from Illumination Foundation’s programs, and local qualifying families from nearby school districts, an opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled day that they otherwise might not have a chance to experience. Carnival for Kids features carnival rides, children’s activities, games, a petting zoo, pony rides, live music, a stilt walker, folklorico dancers, food, and more. There will be Meet & Greet with Stormtroopers, Ghostbusters, OC Sheriff with patrol car, and Wild Wing from the Anaheim Ducks.
Children and families will participate in activity booths hosted by local companies, community organizations, and volunteers. Carnival for Kids sponsors included Farmers & Merchants Bank; Prospera Hotels, Inc.; Kaiser Permanente Orange County; Jacqueline DuPont-Carlson & Marc Carlson; West Coast University; Appliance World/Mattress Sales Inc.; the Schneider Family; Edwards Lifesciences; CalOptima; Rick & LuAnn Campo; West-Tech Materials; The Rosendin Foundation; The Geo Group Inc.; IF Gleam Team; and Geico. Bracken’s Kitchen is providing a meal to all attendees.
According to the 2022 Point-In-Time Count there are 389 families (486 adults and 715 children) experiencing homelessness in Orange County. Families experiencing homelessness struggle to meet their basic needs. The children are exposed to high levels of trauma, including unstable living arrangements.
“We believe that every child, family, and individual should be treated with sustainable compassion and that every person deserves a safe and comfortable space to live,” said Illumination Foundation Co-CEO Jack Toan. “We provide housing and healthcare to our families to support their journey to stability.”
Illumination Foundation operates four family emergency shelters in Orange County. Illumination Foundation’s Children and Families Program provides comprehensive, client-centered, trauma-informed supportive services, including case management, children’s developmental screening, behavioral health counseling, connections to primary care and social services, parent education, educational support and enrichment activities, and housing navigation, to help move families toward stability and into permanent housing.
Illumination Foundation’s Stanton Multi-Service Center is a walk-in center where individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can connect with services and resources to stabilize their situation and connect to permanent housing.
In 2021, Illumination Foundation housed 477 families overall and served 243 children and parents through our Family Emergency Shelter Program.
Corporate supporters, community partners, faith-based organizations, school groups, and volunteers are encouraged to host an activity booth, sponsor, volunteer, or donate.
Support Carnival for Kids at https://ifhomeless.org/donation/. Proceeds from the event will go toward funding family emergency housing and supportive services.
About Illumination Foundation
Illumination Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides targeted, interdisciplinary services for the most vulnerable homeless adults and children in order to disrupt the cycle of homelessness. The organization provides a full continuum of care from street to home, including case management, medical coordination, behavioral health and substance use counseling, and housing navigation to our vulnerable clients in shelters/navigation centers, family emergency shelters, recuperative care/medical respite facilities, and permanent supportive housing. https://www.ifhomeless.org
