PASADENA, CA – (July 30, 2024) Foothill Family, Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree) and Shoes That Fit, came together to deliver 250 pairs of top-line athletic shoes and five pairs of socks (one for each school day) to underserved youth in the San Gabriel Valley. This initiative underscores the critical role that new shoes have in boosting children’s confidence and their ability to participate in school activities and sports, while emphasizing Foothill Family’s mission to uplift and empower the community.
Steve Allen, Chief Executive Officer of Foothill Family, expressed his gratitude for the collaboration, saying, “We are incredibly thankful to Oaktree and Shoes That Fit for their incredible support and dedication to our mission. Providing new shoes and socks to children not only helps them physically but also boosts their confidence and self-esteem, which is essential for their overall wellbeing. This collaboration demonstrates the power of community and the profound impact we can have when we come together to support our youth, ensuring they have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
Nearly 100 Oaktree employees volunteered during their lunch break to decorate the shoe boxes and write personal notes of encouragement for the students. For many of these kids, this is the first time they will receive new shoes in a box, and they often ask if they can keep the boxes. The incredible effort, creativity and care put into making the boxes and notes special was truly inspiring.
“Oaktree has a longstanding tradition of creating positive impact in the communities in which we live and work through the firm’s Our Communities Matter program, which has partnered with Foothill Family and other deserving organizations for many years,” remarked Nicole Adrien, Chief Product Officer and Global Head of Client Relations at Oaktree. “We are proud to have joined forces with Foothill Family and Shoes That Fit to provide brand-name shoes and socks to over 500 students from 18 school districts across the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. Whether through this initiative or Foothill’s Backpacks-for-Brighter-Futures program which we sponsored for six consecutive years, our hope is to help kids start the school year on the right foot while we continue to support Foothill’s critical work with children and families in our proverbial back yard.”
“The importance of proper footwear cannot be overstated.” Amy Fass, CEO and Executive Director of Shoes That Fit, highlighted the significance of the initiative, noting, “Shoes are important to kids. But good athletic shoes are expensive, and when low-income families are forced to choose food and rent over shoes, children are left wearing shoes that hurt or embarrass them, and some kids skip school altogether. We are so grateful to Oaktree and Foothill Family for meeting this need and investing in the lives of children by providing brand-new shoes, making it possible for children to attend school, participate in sports, and enjoy everything childhood has to offer. Thank you for your continued partnership.”
Oaktree’s support for Foothill Family spans eight years, during which they have donated more than $110,000, 500 pairs of shoes 2,500 socks and previously stuffing over 7,000 backpacks with essential school supplies for children heading back to school. This long-standing partnership reflects how sustained support and collaboration can significantly empower and uplift the community, ensuring success in attainable and accessible.
Foothill Family provides on-site therapy in 183 schools in 18 school districts to support youth in feeling valued, heard and empowered.
For more information about this initiative or to learn how you can support Foothill Family, please visit http://www.foothillfamily.org or call (626) 993-3000.
ABOUT FOOTHILL FAMILY
Founded in 1926, Foothill Family provides a range of community-based mental health and social services. Foothill Family is committed to building stronger families and communities by promoting mental health, hope, and resilience. Through its leadership in supporting under-resourced communities in the Greater Los Angeles region, the agency has earned a reputation for providing high-quality services aimed at achieving brighter futures in which individuals and families thrive, communities are strengthened, and generations are enriched. Programs include mental health and school-based services for children, a focus on early childhood development and parent education, youth and family services including child abuse prevention and treatment, domestic violence prevention and treatment, elder abuse prevention and treatment, and services for pregnant and parenting teens. Learn more about Foothill Family at http://www.foothillfamily.org.
About Shoes That Fit
A national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Claremont, CA., Shoes That Fit tackles one of the most visible signs of poverty in America by giving children in need new athletic shoes to attend school with dignity and joy, prepared to learn, play, and thrive. Named a California Nonprofit of the Year, Shoes That Fit delivered new athletic shoes to over 180,000 children across 50 states last year alone. Help ensure that no child misses school because they don’t have shoes that fit by visiting our website http://www.shoesthatfit.org.
About Oaktree
Oaktree is a leader among global investment managers specializing in alternative investments, with $193 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2024. The firm emphasizes an opportunistic, value-oriented and risk-controlled approach to investments in credit, private equity, real estate and listed equities. The firm has over 1,200 employees and offices in 23 cities worldwide.
Our Communities Matter (OCM), Oaktree’s employee-centric program designed to dedicate resources to meaningful initiatives around the world, creates lasting positive impact in the communities in which we live and operate. OCM empowers employees to give back to local causes they believe are most in need. Its intention is to facilitate a variety of local, employee-led volunteering opportunities and company-sponsored gifting programs throughout the year, as well as sponsor ad hoc events in partnership with our Employee Resource Groups such as Oaktree Pride, the Women’s Leadership Council and Oaktree Abilities. For additional information, please visit Oaktree’s website at http://www.oaktreecapital.com/.
Stepping Up Together: Foothill Family, Oaktree, and Shoes Team Up to Bring Confidence and New Kicks to Kids in the Community
Oaktree Volunteers (Group #1)
Oaktree Volunteers (Group #2)
Oaktree’s Our Communities Matter organizers Leia Vincent, Becky Chuen, Nicole Adrien, and Jessica Lemus
Foothill Family’s Megumi Xavier and Shoes That Fit’s Sarah Costales
Oaktree volunteers decorating shoe boxes.
Oaktree volunteer with decorated shoe box.
Oaktree volunteers decorating boxes
Oaktree volunteers
A total of 250 shoe boxes each included 5 pairs of socks (one for each school day of the week) and were decorated with inspiring messages.
Decorated shoe box
Encouragement notes for kids receiving the shoes