Illumination Foundation to Host Free Carnival for Kids for Unhoused Families in Anaheim

Companies, Organizations, and Volunteers Encouraged to Partner for Community Event

SANTA ANA, Calif., July 10, 2024 – Illumination Foundation, a nonprofit organization with the mission to disrupt the cycle of homelessness, is hosting its annual Carnival for Kids on July 27 from 12 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at St. Anthony Mary Claret Church in Anaheim. Carnival for Kids brings together local companies, community organizations, and volunteers to create a memorable day for families who are unstably housed or experiencing homelessness.

Carnival for Kids is a free community event that features carnival rides, rock wall, children’s activities, games, a petting zoo, a DJ, stilt walkers, magician, hip hop dancers, food, and more. Children and families will participate in activity booths hosted by local companies, community organizations, and volunteers.

“With the high cost of living and lack of affordable housing in Orange County many families are unstably housed and at risk of homelessness,” said Dr. Pooja Bhalla, Illumination Foundation Chief Executive Officer. “We encourage community partners and volunteers to join us to share resources, create connections, and make a positive impact on the lives of others. Your support allows us to continue to provide critical housing and healthcare services to vulnerable families on their journey to well-being, stability, and permanent housing.”

Carnival for Kids sponsors to date include Corporate Presenting Sponsor U.S. Bank, Presenting Sponsor Bickerstaff Family Foundation, Prospera Hotels, Stanbridge University, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Crowe LLP, Grover Family, Rick Campo, Marc Carlson and Jacqueline DuPont-Carlson, Rick Chan, and Karen Jordan.

Karina’s Backpack Project will be distributing backpacks filled with schools supplies to children in attendance.

Activity booth sponsors to date include Chapman University Early Human and Lifespan Development Program, Pediatric Interest Group at UCI Medical School, Girl Scouts, NCL Monarch, OC Sheriffs, OC Ghostbusters, H4H Foundation, Extraordinary Lives Foundation,

Captain Jack Live, Civic Soul, Leah Fredkin & Caitlin Stamos, AAP-OC, Illumination Foundation’s Gleam Team, West Coast University, and CalOptima.

The Better Senator Ice Cream Truck, donated by Senator Josh Newman, will be serving ice cream at Carnival for Kids.

Corporate supporters, community partners, faith-based organizations, school groups, and volunteers are encouraged to host an activity booth, sponsor, volunteer, or donate. Watch highlights video from last year’s Carnival for Kids. Reach out to volunteer@ifhomeless.org for more information.

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

Illumination Foundation provides integrated housing and healthcare services. In 2023, Illumination Foundation served nearly 7,000 people experiencing homelessness. Illumination Foundation served 327 children and parents in our family emergency homes.

Illumination Foundation operates five family emergency homes. 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 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