Christian Bale opens foster care village in Palmdale aimed at keeping siblings together
PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- The actor Christian Bale attended the opening of Together California, a foster care village he helped create in Palmdale. The facility's mission is to keep siblings together.
It's described as the first village of its kind in the state and will prioritize keeping siblings together while they are in foster care, an arrangement organizers said is uncommon for most children in the system.
"It's our job to turn their heartbreak and their pain into love and hope and a sense of future," Bale said.
The 11,000-square-foot community includes 12 furnished homes and is designed to provide safe, nurturing environments for children and their families. Organizers said the village will offer programs focused on stability, support and care.
"A place where everyone is welcomed, a place that keeps families together, a place that creates community, a place where you can find hope in the most challenging of times," said Together California Executive Director Tim McCormick.
Organizers said the project was made possible through donations. The Austrian American Council West helped raise nearly $9 million for the effort.
"Perhaps the greatest legacy we can leave is not that our names will be remembered, but that children's lives are better because we cared," said Austrian American Council West President Veronika Reinelt.
One of Together California's co-founders, Dr. Eric Esrailian, credited Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger with helping bring the project to life.
"She embraced this project. She said we have to do this in the Antelope Valley. She connected us with Palmdale, and here we are today," Esrailian said.
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Barger said she believes the project will have a lasting impact.
"I guarantee you this project is going to change the trajectory of each and every child that steps foot on this campus," Barger said.
With the ribbon-cutting complete, organizers said people will begin moving into the community next month.
