Every day in every part of our world, children are exposed to abuses that we cannot comprehend. They are exposed to these horrific acts by the people who were supposed to give them unconditional love, protect them and guide them through life. Instead, they are exposed to a web of deceit. The statistics for high-school age foster youth are dire: within 18 months of emancipation, 50% of foster youth will be homeless. A large proportion will be trafficked, and many will perish. These are the realities of children living right in our community. In our country, a child enters foster care every two minutes.

These beautiful children who survive are then left to their own devises to cope with what has happened to them. Fortunately, there is good news in that there is a “Village” of good, kind people with enough love to help these children to recover in their homes and in their hearts. These children are miracles who have survived and who will succeed with the help of our “Village” as it is said: “It takes a Village to make the world a better place to live”.

Through the Executive Leadership Roundtable (ELR), the Corona Chamber has for 25+ years helped community leaders become more aware of their significant places in society with nine months of learning, comradery, becoming better stewards and philanthropists. They are tasked each year with a project that will make our community a better “Village” to live in.
Education is a key tool for success in life—and is often unattainable for foster youth. Drop-out rates are three times higher for foster youth than other low-income youth, with only 50% of foster youth graduating from high school. Nationally, only about 10% of all young people ages 16 to 24 are unemployed. But the unemployment rate for young people aging out of foster care is 47% to 69%, depending on age and gender.

In 2021, the ELR will be taking on the big task to make our community aware of the Miracle Children who are in the Foster Care. On July 20^th, 2021, we will have “The Day of Hope“ to let these youths know what amazing contacts, development programs, trade schools and colleges they have right here at home—and provide them with mentors who will share their passions and guidance helping them to know that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE! These kids have the chance to succeed to become productive, loving people in our world—to become the future “Village” for those Miracle Children still to come.
The Executive Leadership Roundtable would like to invite the local community to donate to this project or to offer their time volunteering at the event on July 20, which will be held at Corona City Hall. More information is available at www.mychamber.org/executive-leadership-roundtable.

In advance we would like to thank you for your help with this life-changing project. Sponsorships are available. Checks, cash and credit card donations are excepted. You can easily donate at www.mychamber.org/chamber-foundation.

Please call Chantal Blash at (909) 782-5514 or Tina Covington at (951) 836-9944 or email tcovington@alturacu.com with any questions.

For those interested in applying for the 2021-2022 ELR program (to begin in September 2021), applications can be found at www.mychamber.org/executive-leadership-roundtable.