Illumination Foundation Hosts Free Annual Carnival for Kids in Anaheim

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community to Come Together to Support Housing and Healthcare Services for Families Experiencing Homelessness

ORANGE, Calif., June 22, 2023 – Illumination Foundation, a nonprofit organization with the mission to disrupt the cycle of homelessness, is hosting its annual Carnival for Kids on July 15 from noon 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, children’s activities, games, a petting zoo, pony rides, a DJ, stilt walkers, juggler, magician, folklorico dancers, food, and more. Children and families will participate in activity booths hosted by local companies, community organizations, and volunteers.

Carnival for Kids sponsors to date include U.S. Bank, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Bickerstaff Family Foundation, Geeta and Sonny Grover, alliantgroup, Rick Campo, CalOptima, Dr. Jacqueline DuPont-Carlson and Marc Carlson, The Schneider Family, Prospera Hotels, Hytron Manufacturing, and Applied Medical. Activity booths include Illumination Foundation Board of Directors, IF Club Fountain Valley High School, Team Kids, AAP-OC, Concordia University Irvine, DOT, NCL Monarch, OC Sheriffs, OC Ghostbusters, 501st Legion, Dragon Kim Foundation, and Huntington Beach Mermaids.

“Lack of affordable housing and access to healthcare are barriers for many families in Orange County,” said Dr. Pooja Bhalla, Illumination Foundation Chief Executive Officer. “That is why we integrate housing and healthcare services and work with community partners to provide  resources to meet the needs of families. We encourage community partners and volunteers to join us to share resources, connect with others, and create a special day for children in the community.”

One of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population is working families with children struggling to meet basic needs. The lack of affordable housing and the high cost of living, including rent, transportation, and childcare in Orange County, mean families are vulnerable to homelessness.

According to the 2022 Point-In-Time Count there are 389 families (486 adults and 715 children) experiencing homelessness in Orange County. Families with children make up 21% of Orange County’s homeless population. In addition, an Orange County grand jury report estimates there are 23,246 students who are unstably housed in Orange County, living in crowded rooms, motels, cars, or public spaces. These unstable living arrangements expose children to high levels of trauma.

Illumination Foundation has been providing integrated housing and healthcare services for 15 years. In 2022, Illumination Foundation housed 321 family members and served 258 children and parents in our Family Emergency Shelters.

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.

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. 

Support Carnival for Kids at www.ifhomeless.org. Proceeds from the event will support Illumination Foundation’s Children and Families Program.

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. www.ifhomeless.org