James Storehouse News Release: 4/28/2023

James Storehouse Seeks to Raise $125,000 to Expand Their Services to Local Youth Through June Fundraising Event.

LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2023—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. “There are over 30,000 children in foster care in Ventura and LA Counties alone. Most face unimaginable rejection, neglect, abuse, and abandonment. Children in the foster care system are more susceptible to a variety of challenges

later in life such as homelessness, incarceration, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and limited education. When youth “age-out” on their 18th birthday, many have no ability or support to transition effectively into independent living. James Storehouse is committed to providing a helping hand to children and youth facing such daunting challenges,” says Executive Director, Stacy DeWitt. “Everyone can do something to bring hope to the most vulnerable population right here in our backyard.”

On June 4th, they will host the “Foster Love” fundraiser at the Westlake Inn from 1:00-3:00pm. 100% of the proceeds are dedicated to serving local foster children and youth through our newly expanded programs dedicated to relational healing and life-skills building, including: a Teaching Kitchen, Trauma-Informed Playroom, and Teen & Family Rec Room (see below). In 2022, James Storehouse provided over sixteen thousand appointments and deliveries for foster children/families in need. With their location stretched beyond capacity and programs growing exponentially, James Storehouse must raise $125,000 to build out three new programs.

These programs include:

Teaching Kitchen: Integral life skills will be taught to teen parents in foster care, youth aging out, and families reunifying. Many have never been taught basic cooking skills and affordable meal prep. The state-of-the-art kitchen will include personal workspaces/supplies, commercial grade appliances, and spaces to gather and share a meal.

Trauma-informed Integrated Playroom: This space will better accommodate court-ordered visitations for biological parents working to reunify with their children. Most of these parents have histories in the system when they were children. The play space will be specially designed to be soothing and inviting, trauma-informed, and sensory integrated to best meet their specific needs.

Teen & Family Rec Room: Many teens in group homes and youth aging out regularly hang out at James Storehouse as they have no family of their own to spend time with. A fun, appropriate space will foster relationships and mentoring in a casual setting: plans include a movie room, large rec games, and cozy, hang-out space.

James Storehouse is seeking tiered level sponsorships from local businesses, as well as auction items for both their live and silent auction. To donate, please email Shayley.JamesStorehouse@gmail.com.

About James Storehouse:

James Storehouse is a 501(c)(3) community-based non-profit established in 2012. We are located in Newbury Park, CA and we partner with local public and private child welfare agencies. From cribs to

college, James Storehouse supports children in foster care, youth aging-out of foster care, child trafficking survivors, children “at-risk” of removal, and all their caregiving families. We have received commendations from Los Angeles County and Ventura County recognizing our service to the child-welfare community.

James Storehouse warehouse stocks thousands of items donated by the community including beds, car seats, diapers, stroller, high-chairs and clothing to meet the emergency needs of foster families and aged out youth. Also in 2022, James Storehouse implemented a food pantry which provided food to 5,699 children and their caregivers living in food deserts. Their apartment set-up program for aged out youth and reunifying families set up over 80 apartments last year. James Storehouse’s transportation program provided 90 gently used cars and bikes for transitional youth.

James Storehouse partners with public welfare agencies, including the Department of Child and Family Services for Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, as well as many private agencies, churches and the community at large.

Community engagement is at the core of the non-profit. Annual events, including a back-to-school supply drive, teen prom events, life skills classes, and a Christmas toy drive, are done in partnership with local schools, businesses, and churches, including Oaks Christian School and Pepperdine University. They also partner with Cal State Channel Island’s PATH program to provide college textbooks, interview clothing, and dorm set-ups for aged out youth and formerly trafficked survivors.

To learn more or find out how you can get involved, please visit jamesstorehouse.org. For press inquiries, please contact Stacy@JamesStorehouse.org.