A Powerful Voice for Foster Youth

Esmeralda Barajas entered the foster system at age 8 and exited just when she needed help the most. She had a toddler and health issues that left her unable to work. With debt piling up from the loss of income, she was facing homelessness.

“I was out of funds, and I owed money to people who had helped me out before,” says Barajas. “I was scared. I was worried I may lose my child due to not being housed.”

She reached out to Children’s Law Center of California (CLC), who quickly helped Barajas find funds for one month’s rent and a peer advocate who supported her as her health improved. With CLC’s assistance, she was able to regain employment and find permanent stable housing. CLC also identified a financial literacy program.  

Young adults leaving foster care are at high risk for homelessness. To ensure that more young adults who exit the foster system like Barajas stay housed, the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles has partnered with CLC as part of the We are LA Children and Youth Program. Launched in July 2024, it helps young adults find resources and housing with the help of steadfast case workers.  

CLC is the legal advocate for over 20,000 foster youth in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer counties. Outside the courthouse, their multidisciplinary support ensures that kids and families have the tools they need to thrive. 

“Kids can’t thrive unless they have a healthy family to be a part of. And ideally, it’s their family of origin,” says Leslie Heimov, executive director. “It  is our role to look at the child’s whole situation, and that includes where they live, who cares for them, their relationships with their families, and their education and mental health needs. Our function is to help families be safe and strong.”

CLC, the largest children’s legal services organization in the nation, has more than 550 dedicated, compassionate legal, social, and work professionals who advocate for children and prioritize keeping families together when possible. Their Expectant and Parenting Youth (EPY) program helps support young soon-to-be parents and ensures that family instability is not a repeating cycle. Other services include mental health care casework, peer support for foster youth, advocacy for those with developmental disabilities, and intensive casework for the most vulnerable youths. 

“It’s hard to do well in school if you’re having a mental health crisis. It’s hard to maintain employment if you’re clinically depressed. It’s hard to be a good parent if you’re struggling with anxiety or depression or substance use. It’s hard to maintain housing if you have an addiction,” says Heimov. “It’s all interwoven. Nothing we do is this one thing.”

Now with a second child, Barajas credits CLC’s support with her family’s comfort and stability. 

“I am so thankful that there are good people in this world looking to help those in need and I am thankful for CLC for always supporting me,” Barajas says. “CLC won’t
abandon you.”