Story
Throughout my life, I have seen the good and bad of the foster care system in Los Angeles and beyond. Beginning my career as a court appointed attorney for some of the 50,000+ children in LA's foster care system, I recognized the unique need for advocacy these children possess. Today, as a professor at Pepperdine University, I am lucky to mentor college students who were once part of the foster care system. Finally, my own father's life was greatly benefited from the love and support of a foster family. I have seen firsthand the great programs and support the Junior League of Los Angeles provides to kids in Los Angeles' foster care system. Will you join me in supporting this fundraiser, so we can continue supporting them?
Can one black dress worn for five short days create awareness about issues that affect others for a lifetime?The iconic Little Black Dress is usually thought of as just a fashionable wardrobe staple great for business or a fun night out. So why is the LBD at the center of an awareness campaign about foster youth?Founded in 2014 by the Junior League of London, the Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) is a week-long awareness and fundraising campaign that harnesses the power of social media to illustrate the limitations foster youth have in choices, opportunities, and access to resources. Advocates wear one black dress for five consecutive days, in an effort to spark conversations and awareness about local foster youth and related issues.To date, dozens of Junior Leagues have replicated the initiative in their own communities, collectively sparking countless conversations and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of important community programs.