About us

Fostering a world where every child can thrive

We believe every child deserves stability, love, and nurturing to grow into their full potential.

Our vision

Cultivating loving families for children

RaiseAChild brings personal experience and expert guidance to help you discover your options and support you on your path to caring for a child in your community.

Our Mission

To inspire and encourage caring people to nurture children in foster care.

Fostering Services:

Info Sessions

Parent Matching Event

Community Resources

Support our mission

Our Founder

Rich Valenza

As the father of two children adopted through Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Rich understands firsthand the trials and tribulations of LGBT community members and of single parents who seek to build families.

Over the years, Rich has formed strategic partnerships with community service agencies, national and regional LGBT organizations, and businesses to build RaiseAChild’s strength and influence.

RaiseAChild Team

we know. we've been there.

Our team is proud to have a personal connection to our critical work.

Jason Cook

Chief Program Officer

Foster-to-adopt parent of 7

Chat with Jason

Deyanira Contreras

Parent Advocate Deputy Director

Foster parent

Chat with Deyanira

Richard Avila-Winburn

Brand & Marketing Coordinator

Foster-to-adopt parent

Sonja Lee

Community Event Planner

Parent

Esmeralda Ortiz

Program & Event Associate

Former child in foster care

Kim Do

Administrative Associate

Yuliana Gutierrez

Bilingual Parent Advocate

Foster care advocate

Chat with Yuliana

Lluvia Tovar

Bilingual Parent Advocate

Former foster care counselor

Chat with Lluvia

Paris Cook-Troynel

Parent Advocate

Former child in foster care

Chat with Paris

Edgar Rodriguez

Partnership Marketing Specialist

WE ARE HIRING

Join our team

RaiseAChild CEO

RaiseAChild is looking for a new CEO to start in 2024. Interested? Please apply

A word from our founder

Explore

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Book Event

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RaiseAChild Board

Becky Walton

Board Co-Chair
VP of Sales & Business Development Parent

Amy Bernardino

Board Co-Chair & Governance Committee
Pennymac, SVP, Administration
Parent and Birthmother

Maggie Bohlman

Governance Committee
Piece-by-Piece, Executive Director Foster-to-Adopt Parent

Camille Thornton

Secretary
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Foster-to-Adopt Parent

Mirza Patail

Board Treasurer
Management Consultant
Parent

Beth McCluney

Development, Co-chair
Krieger Speciality Products, Owner
Foster-to-Adopt Parent

Linda Konner

Development Co-Chair
Parent

Jonathan Fitzgarrald

Governance Committee
ChairEquinox Strategy Partners
Foster-to-Adopt Parent

Daniel Roemer

Program Outreach Committee
Rumack Family Foundation, VP
Foster-to-Adopt parent

Guillaume de Chalendar

Development Committee
SVP, Head of Media & Entertainment
Banc of California

Lyndea Dew

Board Member
Vice President, Content & Talent Partnerships
NBCUniversal Advertising Platforms & Operations

Ross Smith-Knight

Board Member
Guaranteed Rate Mortgage
Foster-to-Adopt Parent

Sidney Hsu

Board Member
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Nancy Mogy

Board Member
Motivational Speaker & Youth Advocate

Agency Partners

RaiseAChild partners with FFA's and county agencies to find loving homes for children in foster care. We work closely with each agency to match parents with the needs of children in each agency's network.

When working with RaiseAChild, our Parent Advocate team work 1-on-1 with you to understand your needs and goals to match you with the right agency for you.

Chat with our team

Champion Level