Illumination Foundation’s 11th Annual Carnival for Kids Brings Together 566 OC Residents Facing Homelessnessfor a Free Day of Fun

Community partners and elected officials joined effort to create memorable event; Congressman Lou Correa presented $850K grant to Illumination Foundation

SANTA ANA, Calif., August 1, 2024 – More than 566 local individuals who are unstably housed attended Illumination Foundation’s free Carnival for Kids that brought together an additional 240 people from area companies, community organizations, elected officials, and volunteers to create a memorable, carefree day for families experiencing homelessness. Illumination Foundation, a nonprofit organization with the mission to disrupt the cycle of homelessness, hosted its 11th Annual Carnival for Kids on July 27 at St. Anthony Mary Claret Church in Anaheim to raise awareness and support for the need to provide housing and healthcare services for unhoused families.

At the event, Congressman Lou Correa presented an $850,000 check from a Community Project Funding grant for Illumination Foundation’s Richard Lehn Intergenerational Campus, which will provide supportive housing for both families and seniors. Senator Tom Umberg, Aliso Viejo City Councilmember Ross Chun and actor John Stamos also participated in Carnival for Kids.

“It was amazing to see the smiles on the children’s faces and joy in their hearts at this year’s Carnival for Kids. I’m constantly inspired by the families we serve and community partners who came together to create an extraordinary day for families in the community,” said Dr. Pooja Bhalla, Illumination Foundation Chief Executive Officer. “Many families in Orange County struggle with the high cost of living. Carnival for Kids created a positive and memorable experience for children to enjoy a day of summertime fun. We are grateful for the ongoing collaboration of our partners, supporters and volunteers that allows us to provide housing and healthcare to families on their journey to well-being, stability and permanent housing.”

According to the 2024 Point-In-Time Count, 347 families (443 adults and 685 children) are experiencing homelessness in Orange County. Unstably housed families in Orange County often live in crowded rooms, motels, cars or public spaces. Such living arrangements expose children to high levels of trauma.

Carnival for Kids featured interactive games and hands-on activities at more than 30 booths hosted by community groups and volunteers. Children and families enjoyed carnival rides, a petting zoo, a DJ, stilt walker, magician, School of Rock band, student performances from Dragon Kim Foundation, food and more. Captain Jack & Friends; OC Ghostbusters; The Anaheim Ducks’ mascot, Wild Wing; and representatives from Anaheim Fire & Rescue, OC Sheriffs and 501st Legion delighted attendees. Children received backpacks filled with school supplies from Karina’s Backpack Project, toys from Mattel Children’s Foundation, and booster seats from American Academy of Pediatrics-Orange County Chapter (AAP-OC), in addition to books, bracelets and other prizes.

Carnival for Kids raised more than $100,000 in sponsorships to support Illumination Foundation’s Children and Families Program that provides comprehensive supportive services to help move families toward stability and into permanent housing.

Carnival for Kids sponsors included Corporate Presenting Sponsor U.S. Bank and Presenting Sponsor Bickerstaff Family Foundation, in addition to Prospera Hotels, Stanbridge University, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Crowe LLP, Grover Family, Rick Campo and Family, Jacqueline DuPont-Carlson and Marc Carlson, CalOptima, West Coast University, Rick Chan and Family, Karen Jordan, Mark Costa, Joan Koransky and Family, Fishers Phillips LLP, Civic Soul, Illumination Foundation Board of Directors, and Illumination Foundation Gleam Team.

Activity booth sponsors included Chapman University Early Human and Lifespan Development Program, the Pediatric Interest Group at UCI Medical School, NCL Monarch, OC Sheriffs, Anaheim Fire Department, Anaheim Ducks Street Team, OC Ghostbusters, 501st Legion, H4H Foundation, Extraordinary Lives Foundation, Dragon Kim Foundation, Captain Jack Live, Civic Soul, Leah Fredkin & Caitlin Stamos, AAP-OC, Illumination Foundation’s Gleam Team, West Coast University, Stanbridge University, Project Food Box, Orange County Conservation Corps and CalOptima.

In-kind sponsors included Karina’s Backpack Project, who donated backpacks filled with school supplies; The Better Senator Ice Cream Truck by Senator Josh Newman; Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, who donated and served paletas/popsicles; Mattel Children’s Foundation; Sanrio; Melissa’s Produce; H4H Foundation; Bracken’s Kitchen; Rauch Family; Hanes; My Saint, My Hero; Republic Services; OC Conservation Corps; and Costco.

Illumination Foundation provides integrated housing and healthcare services to those experiencing homelessness. In 2023, Illumination Foundation served nearly 7,000 people experiencing homelessness, and Illumination Foundation’s five family emergency homes served 327 children and parents.

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 homes, recuperative care/medical respite facilities, and permanent supportive housing. www.ifhomeless.org.