LA Foundation Awards $50,000 Grant for Pasadena Foster Care Facility Upgrades

A Los Angeles-based nonprofit has donated $50,000 to help renovate historic cottages that house foster children in Altadena.

United Charity Foundation awarded the grant to Pasadena nonprofit Five Acres, a child welfare agency that has served vulnerable children for 137 years. The money will support the agency’s cottage renovation project, which has raised more than $270,000 total.

The foundation was established by Dr. Carl Moy and Linda Moy, first-generation immigrants from China and Taiwan who arrived in Los Angeles in the early 1980s. Dr. Moy works in healthcare while Linda Moy is a business entrepreneur. Both are known for their philanthropic work in the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County.

“United Charity Foundation supports non-profit organizations that support children and families,” Linda Moy said. “Dr. Moy and I feel that Five Acres embodies the saying, ‘Everybody needs somebody.'”

She described Five Acres staff as the children’s “somebody” when they have no one else. The Moys have supported the organization for years because of its dedication to foster children, according to Linda Moy.

The renovation project includes new roofing and interior improvements. Work is expected to finish by June 30.

Five Acres serves nearly 7,000 children and family members each year across six counties in Southern California. The agency focuses on finding permanent homes for children in its care.

“The funds we raise help us make critical improvements to Five Acres cottages and facilities used by foster children in our residential care,” said Jennifer Berger, the agency’s chief advancement officer.

The foundation’s donation will help maintain facilities so children can live in safe, comfortable spaces, Berger said.

Five Acres was founded in 1888. The agency operates under three core principles: safety, well-being and permanency for the children it serves.

The Moys toured the facility with Vivian Chan to see how the renovations will impact children and staff.

To learn how you can support Five Acres, visit https://5acres.org.