BRIGHT HORIZONS GROUP HOME IN CLAREMONT FOSTERS HOPE FOR TEEN BOYS

It is another quiet day in the friendly, tranquil Claremont neighborhood. As people take a stroll with their dogs, they walk pass a quaint bungalow style home like many others that line Mountain Avenue. An oak tree towers over the front yard. Inside photos with smiling faces line the walls. It may seem like a typical residence, but this house is different.

Bright Horizons is a home full of heart and hope for six teens in foster care. The Bright Horizons staff wants the local community to set aside their preconceptions about foster children and get to know the organization for who they are and their mission.

In the U.S. there are more than 415,000 children in the foster care system. In California alone, more than 62,000 children are in the foster care system, and 33% of the state’s foster care population is in Los Angeles County. With a large foster population and little help for group homes across the county, the impact it has on children and adults involved is huge.

Bright Horizons is a transitional home that has been in operation for 15 years, today housing six boys looking and waiting for a loving place to permanently call home. That wait is eased a bit because the boys are surrounded by a committed and caring staff that strives to create a family oriented environment and fits the needs of the children.

David Cuevas who has been a part of the Bright Horizons staff for ten years as program administrator makes it a priority to be a positive influence on the boys.

“My day is based on my priority- the needs of the kids,” Cuevas said.

The staff’s main concerns are helping the boys adjust to a new stage in their life with a positive mental outlook. As part of creating a positive environment, the staff celebrates the accomplishments the boys make, no matter how big or small. Cuevas creates a “Life Book” for each of the boys. In those books, he documents everything the child experiences, good or bad.

“You bring me a ‘C’ from school, I’m going to take a picture because you used to get ‘D’s,” he explains.

At the end of their time at Bright Horizons, the book is given to the child as a memory book and a token of their personal growth. Also, staff often take the older boys on trips to visit and tour college campuses to encourage them to set goals and see the world.

Throughout his time at the home, Cuevas has experienced several lows and highs. But he says the highs outweigh the lows. One high point, in particular, was when he was asked to be the godfather of the son of one of his former occupants. Cuevas also mentions there have been several former occupants that have gone on to college, joined U.S. military forces, and have started families of their own.

Asking former occupants of the home, “If you’ve made great strides toward the future…visit our home. You might be an inspiration to one of the kids struggling,” he says.

Mario, a current occupant of the house, is one of the several that have strides to a better future. He praises the staff members for creating a family oriented environment and encouraging him to pursue his education. Mario currently is enrolled at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga and is looking to have a career in culinary arts.

“We’re a place where we nurture, house, and care for kids,” Cuevas said.

But like other group homes, help is needed and always welcome. Volunteers are encouraged to spend time at the home during the week to help the boys with homework and projects, and the daily operations of the home. Also, a GoFundMe account has been created to buy clothing, games and fund trips. To make a donation and for more information, visit gofundme.com/brighthorizons.