Key Takeaways
- • La Sierra University welcomed its first cohort of four former foster youth from California, Washington, and Texas for the 2026 school year, which began Sept. 21, 2026, through the HOME@LASIERRA Endowment.
- • The endowment, which launched as a pilot in fall 2025 under President Christon Arthur, provides debt-free tuition, on-campus room and board, wellness and spiritual care, and partner-agency support.
- • The university has raised $550,000 toward a $2 million endowment goal and aims to enroll five to 10 emancipated foster youth annually.
- • Research cited in the endowment case statement says at least 20% of emancipated foster youth face immediate homelessness upon aging out of care.
- • A fundraiser, "An Autumn Night's Reade Chapter II," will be held Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Zapara School of Business, with free admission and required reservations.
Summary
La Sierra University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution in Riverside, California, welcomed its first students under the HOME@LASIERRA Endowment at the start of the 2026 school year on Sept. 21. Four students from California, Washington, and Texas moved into campus housing and enrolled under the initiative, which covers tuition, on-campus room and board, holistic wellness and spiritual care, and dedicated support services delivered through community partner agencies. The program is led by La Sierra University President Christon Arthur, alongside university alumnus and foster parent Dr. Carla Baum and her husband, Dr. Brad Baum. An advisory board guides the program.
According to the university, the endowment has raised $550,000 toward a $2 million goal, and it aims to enroll five to 10 emancipated foster youth each year. Support is delivered through La Sierra's Wellness Services, Collaborative Learning Center, and Office of Spiritual Life, along with partner organizations including the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, Path of Life Ministries, Olive Crest foster care services, La Sierra University Church, and local school districts and foster youth liaisons. Students receive regular check-ins with case managers.
The university cites research from an endowment case statement indicating that at least 20% of emancipated foster youth experience immediate homelessness after aging out of the system, and that former foster youth experience post-traumatic stress associated with adverse childhood experiences at nearly five times the general population rate. Carla Baum noted that children in care often change placements; according to the Children's Law Center of California, 44% of children in the state who remain in foster care for 24 months or longer experience three or more placements, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation reports that 40% of foster children nationally experience three or more changes in living arrangements in a year.
A fundraiser, "An Autumn Night's Reade Chapter II," will take place Thursday, November 12 at 6 p.m. at the La Sierra University Zapara School of Business in Riverside. The event, which builds on last year's pilot rollout, features dramatic readings and music, admission is free with required reservations, and seating is limited. Attendees may also contribute to the endowment.
According to the university, the endowment has raised $550,000 toward a $2 million goal, and it aims to enroll five to 10 emancipated foster youth each year. Support is delivered through La Sierra's Wellness Services, Collaborative Learning Center, and Office of Spiritual Life, along with partner organizations including the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, Path of Life Ministries, Olive Crest foster care services, La Sierra University Church, and local school districts and foster youth liaisons. Students receive regular check-ins with case managers.
The university cites research from an endowment case statement indicating that at least 20% of emancipated foster youth experience immediate homelessness after aging out of the system, and that former foster youth experience post-traumatic stress associated with adverse childhood experiences at nearly five times the general population rate. Carla Baum noted that children in care often change placements; according to the Children's Law Center of California, 44% of children in the state who remain in foster care for 24 months or longer experience three or more placements, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation reports that 40% of foster children nationally experience three or more changes in living arrangements in a year.
A fundraiser, "An Autumn Night's Reade Chapter II," will take place Thursday, November 12 at 6 p.m. at the La Sierra University Zapara School of Business in Riverside. The event, which builds on last year's pilot rollout, features dramatic readings and music, admission is free with required reservations, and seating is limited. Attendees may also contribute to the endowment.
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