PALMDALE — A new foster-care campus that organizers describe as the first of its kind in California opened in Palmdale on Sept. 11, bringing a mix of private philanthropy, celebrity support and county backing to a project aimed at keeping siblings together while in foster care.
Facility built to prioritize family retention, organizers say
Together California, an 11,000-square-foot community that includes 12 furnished homes, held its ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday. Actor Christian Bale attended the opening, joining donors and project leaders who said the village is designed to offer a stable, nurturing environment for children and their families.
"It's our job to turn their heartbreak and their pain into love and hope and a sense of future," Bale said at the event.
Together California's executive director, Tim McCormick, said the campus will emphasize keeping siblings together — an arrangement organizers called uncommon for many children in the foster system — and will provide 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 Tim McCormick.
Funding, partners and local officials
Organizers credited private donations with making the project possible. The Austrian American Council West helped raise nearly $9 million for the effort, and its president, Veronika Reinelt, urged attendees to view the investment as a legacy for children.
"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," Reinelt said.
One of the village’s co-founders, Dr. Eric Esrailian, acknowledged the role of Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger in bringing the project to the Antelope Valley. Barger said she believes the campus will have a lasting impact on children who come through its doors.
"I guarantee you this project is going to change the trajectory of each and every child that steps foot on this campus," said Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
What the campus offers
Organizers described the community as providing safe, nurturing homes and programs that support family stability. Officials said people will begin moving into the homes next month.
- Size: 11,000 square feet
- Homes: 12 furnished residences
- Fundraising: nearly $9 million raised (Austrian American Council West)
- Opening: ribbon-cutting held Sept. 11; move-ins expected next month
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Palmdale |
| Square footage | 11,000 sq. ft. |
| Number of homes | 12 furnished homes |
| Major donor | Austrian American Council West (nearly $9M raised) |
Local implications and next steps
Officials framed Together California as a model for how private funds and county partnership can address gaps in foster-care arrangements. By focusing on sibling placement and comprehensive wraparound programs, organizers hope the village will offer a different path than typical congregate or single-child placements.
While organizers did not provide a public schedule of programming at the opening, they said the campus will concentrate on stability, support and care for children and families. With move-ins slated for next month, local child welfare providers and county officials are likely to monitor early outcomes closely as the campus transitions from ribbon-cutting to daily operation.
As Palmdale adds the new facility, advocates and officials will be watching whether the model can be replicated elsewhere in the county and state, and how the campus serves siblings and family units who enter the foster system.
The opening drew attention from both national figures and local leaders; organizers said the project reflects a community commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children in the Antelope Valley.
