Nearly 500 Children and Adults Attended Illumination Foundation’s Annual Carnival for Kids in Anaheim

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

$86,000 Was Raised to Support Housing and Healthcare Services for Families Experiencing Homelessness    

ORANGE, Calif., July 20, 2023 – Illumination Foundation, a nonprofit organization with the mission to disrupt the cycle of homelessness, held its annual Carnival for Kids on July 15 at St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church in Anaheim. Carnival for Kids brought together 17 corporate partners and community organizations, and approximately 200 volunteers to create a memorable day for children while raising $86,000 to support housing and healthcare services for families experiencing homelessness. Nearly 500 children and adults enjoyed the free community event that featured 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 participated in 27 activity booths hosted by local companies, community organizations, and volunteers. Interactive games and hands-on activities included ring toss, cornhole, bean bag toss, bookmark making, STEM experiments, balloon artist, photo booth, and seashell painting. Children received backpacks filled with school supplies, books, bicycle helmets, booster seats, and a variety of prizes.

“Families in our program look forward to Carnival for Kids every year,” said Dr. Pooja Bhalla, Illumination Foundation Chief Executive Officer. “It is a day of summer fun for our families. It is a pleasure to see the joy and smiles on the children’s faces.”

Carnival for Kids sponsors included U.S. Bank, Farmers & Merchants Bank, The Bickerstaff Family Foundation, Prospera Hotels, The Grover Family, The Campo Family, CalOptima, Applied Medical, Hytron Manufacturing, West Coast University, The Schneider Family, O'Connell Hotels & Hospitality, Sonny Bloom, Dr. Jacqueline DuPont-Carlson and Marc Carlson, and Illumination Foundation Board members.

Activity booths included Illumination Foundation Board of Directors, U.S. Bank, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Prospera Hotels, Fisher Phillips LLP, GEO Group, West Coast University, Gleam Team, IF Club Fountain Valley High School, AAP-OC, CalOptima, Concordia University Irvine, DOT, NCL Monarch, OC Sheriffs, Orange County 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 Bhalla. “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.

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