Foster Care Counts to Honor Foster Parents & Children at 6th Annual Foster Mother's Day Celebration Sunday, May 11

LOS ANGELES, April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Foster Care Counts, the non-profit organization founded by Jeanne Pritzker that's dedicated to raising awareness and serving the needs  of foster youth and families in Los Angeles, will host its sixth annual Foster Mother's Day celebration Sunday, May 11. Together with numerous community-based organizations that support Los Angeles' foster care system, Foster Care Counts is hosting 2,000 foster youth and their families at a celebration that gives back to foster parents who dedicate their lives to helping children. The annual event, hosted this year at The Willows Community School in Culver City, honors foster families with a day filled with fun, entertainment, food, relaxation and pampering. This year's corporate partners include Nestle, Disney/ABC Television Networks, Paul Mitchell^®, Jouer Cosmetics and Wolfgang Puck Catering and all activities are made possible by over 300 dedicated volunteers.

"Foster parents play a key role in our community. They offer a haven – a precious safety net – for the more than 35,000 foster youth in Los Angeles County," said Jeanne Pritzker, Founder of Foster Care Counts. "It is a privilege to recognize these families for the love, kindness and support they give to foster children across Southern California and to show our appreciation by hosting a day in their honor." 

"I am so happy that Foster Care Counts is continuing their tradition of organizing this wonderful appreciation day for our foster mothers," said Philip Browning, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Child and Family Services.  "Our foster mothers provide loving care for thousands of children every day in Los Angeles County and we are indebted to them for their dedication to our children. Thank you Foster Care Counts for making this day possible." 

As Mother's Day recognizes the hard work of moms in all households, Foster Care Counts believes it is important to celebrate the special parents who are helping to raise children who need alternative living situations.  To accommodate twice as many guests as last year, this year, Mother's Day will have a morning session from 9:30am-12:30pm and an afternoon session from 1:30pm-4:30pm.

Paul Mitchell, Jouer Cosmetics, Nestle, and Wolfgang Puck Catering will assist volunteers in celebrating foster parents and children. Cast members from ABC Family's "The Fosters," and VoluntEars from The Walt Disney Company will all take part in the day.  The Kids' area will have carnival games, cookie decorating, arts and crafts, magicians, balloon artists, face painting, and more. Young children can enjoy a special storytelling area hosted by Better with Books, which will also be giving young readers books and backpacks to take home.  Guests will be treated to a special clothing boutique that will give them the opportunity to take home new and gently used clothing for themselves and their families.  Kellee McQuinn, the founder of KidTribe, an international children's fitness program, will be the energetic emcee for the day.

Visitors to the spa will enjoy pampering with manicures, hair styling by Future Professionals from Paul Mitchell the School Sherman Oaks and makeup sessions from Jouer Cosmetics. All guests will receive a spa gift bag with beauty products donated by partners and sponsors. Wolfgang Puck Catering will provide a buffet lunch to all attendees and Nestle will be providing drinks, desserts, and snacks. Families can have family portraits taken, framed and decorated to preserve the memories of this "special day."

Foster Care Counts' mission is to improve the lives of youth in foster care and ensure they thrive.  We partner with care and advocacy organizations to address the gaps in service and impediments to success and target ways to boost outcomes.  Together, we ignite initiatives to empower foster youth, improve access to valuable resources, and incite change on their behalf.  If you are interested in joining us and becoming part of our community that is dedicated to making a difference in Los Angeles' foster care community, please visit http://fostercarecounts.org.

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Press Contact: Rita Hollingsworth/RMH Media
Email or (213)361-2736

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SOURCE Foster Care Counts