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Our Mission
CAMP strives to empower foster youth and transitioning young adults with the resources and services necessary for successful, independent living.
Our Vision
Create A Miracle Project (CAMP) is a 501-(c)(3) non-profit, faith-focused organization providing preparatory, support, and mentoring services for youth in care, their parents, and those who have emancipated from foster care. CAMP offers family preservation services for foster and adoptive families and families of children with disabilities.
CAMP is dedicated to improving situations for displaced children and for young adults who have aged out of foster care and into poverty. Our aim is to help youth, families, and young adults enjoy personal success and contentment in relationships both inside and outside the home.
"Created miracles" often involve a number of people pulling together. CAMP engages community leaders in efforts to garner endorsement and active support for project initiatives, while working to develop strategic partnerships to effect and sustain positive change in the foster/adoptive family experience.
Our Purpose
We create and proliferate a sense of community responsibility for assisting foster care youth and those who have emancipated into poverty, to grow and have the kind of opportunities that lead to fulfilling and productive lives.
Our Board of Directors
Robert E. Colwell, MAT
President and founder of Create a Miracle Project
Carl Simmons, Mentor
Foster/Adoptive parent and community activist
Alisa Blair, JD
Public Defender for Superior Court of Los Angeles
Eboni Johns, MFT
CSW for Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services
Amber Johns, MBA
President and founder of Silver Lining Consulting
Valerie Lee, MSW, PPSC
School Social Worker for Redondo Beach Unified School District
Irene De Alba, MSW
Meagan Shead, Administrator
Create a Miracle Project
CAMP began as a vision of Robert E. Colwell who experienced four foster homes
from age 11 to 18 after the death of his single mother. Determined to improve
situations for displaced children, he began sharing his knowledge and experience
with foster parents and child welfare practitioners throughout the country.
Colwell gained national recognition as a conference speaker and trainer who, in
addition to numerous national conferences, has been the keynote for state
conferences in 25 states. His journey through foster care is woven into powerful
insights in his book Love Leaves No Regrets: An Insightful View of Displaced
Children through the Eyes of a Former Foster Child.
Convinced that the moral health of a society can be measured by how well it cares for its orphans, Colwell cites selfishness as the root of the foster care crisis and contends that resolve will occur only as communities begin to practice fidelity. He explores this issue in his book A Heavenly View of Displaced Children: Rethinking the Business of Caring. Additionally, Colwell is the pastor of Love and Order Christian Fellowship in Los Angeles and co-founder of Loving Your Disabled Child. He has conducted marriage and family seminars for 21 years, hosted a daily radio talk show for five years, and as a volunteer chaplain, counseled hundreds of jail and prison inmates over a period of 17 years. He is frequently called upon to provide training and consultation services relating to foster care, adoptions, and independent living.
We provide to others:
•Consultation to welfare agencies and related service systems, policy makers, administrators, schools, foster parent organizations, and natural parents.
•Workshops/ training
•Regional conferences
•Parenting Training
•Aftercare Support Services
Create a Miracle Project...
provides mentoring, training, advocacy support, and consultation services in the area of foster care and independent living. We believe these disadvantaged young people deserve quality care and support, and that it is the community's responsibility to help them achieve the best possible outcomes. Therefore, we are committed to providing services that will give them the freedom to advance and empower them to excel.
We provide the following services for "Present" and "Former" foster care youth:
•Preparation for life beyond foster care
•Mentoring
•Advocacy
•Identity, self-esteem, and character building
•Life skills training
•Professional Referrals -Internship Program
•Training classes and Seminars
•Crisis Intervention
•Nutrition
Love Leaves No Regrets
An insightful view of displaced children through the eyes of a former foster child. Love leaves no regrets is a powerful truth that begs us to examine our relationships with those we say we love. Its a message that must be shared; it is vividly represented in the contents of this book.
Create A Miracle Project (CAMP) is a 501-(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are appreciated. Get involved with CAMP by making a charitable donation today! You can also email us if you are interested in being an instructor, volunteer, mentor, or employer.
CAMP creates miracles (SUCCESS) primarily by teaching CARE for self and others and by inspiring personal and spiritual GROWTH.
GROWTH- Growth and the anticipation of joyful outcomes create interest and encourage people to participate in the creation of miracles for themselves and others. Growth is achieved by cultivating newness; it inspires perseverance and builds confidence to excel. For many people, a growing God-consciousness is pivotal in changing a persons mental and spiritual location.
CARE- Today, few words are more meaningful albeit, more cunningly exploited than care. Social transformation requires a transforming of values. Caring for others needs becomes a powerful key in transforming society, giving it purpose, meaning, and promoting solidarity and healing.
SUCCESS- Success, especially for high risk individuals, involves personal transformation, which in turn has a positive, transforming effect on the people who contribute to it. Each victory represents a miracle worth celebrating a renewed mind which helps to transform communities and the world.
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From the Foreword
Several people have been able to tell their story of foster care in a tender and moving fashion, leaving you to make of it what you will. Reverend Colwell has the ability to step back and view his experiences with an eye toward what happened and why, and to frame his message in terms other than look at me and feel sorry. His message has meaning for all the players in this system we call Child Welfare
To Order This Book:
Call (323) 299-9500, or email
change_createamiracle.org
Or Write To:
3321 W. 46th Street
Los Angeles, California 90043
(FREE) Three Week Professional Development Workshops
Topics covered: Academic Excellence, Financial Literacy, Career Training
Target Market: Foster Youth 9-12th grade
Dates: Registration is closed for this seminar, check back for new dates.
**There will be a morning and afternoon session (Session "A" 10am-1pm & Session "B" 1:30-4:30pm)
Thank you for visiting the Create A Miracle Project website. We look forward to hearing from you.
Email Us
Call Us
Phone 323-299-9500
Fax 323-299-8263
U.S. Mail
Internship Program
The Objective
Prepare selected former and soon to emancipate foster care youth for gainful, meaningful employment by helping them to develop the character, interest, and attitude necessary to embrace the challenge of productive citizenship. These are then matched with participating employers recruited to help create a miracle by committing the time and resources necessary to transform our clients into competent employees.
Prospective candidates will be screened for admission to prep-camp (character, interest, and attitude development), which is phase 1 of our 3 prong approach. Upon completion, prospective candidates will submit applications to various participating businesses in hopes of being picked for the project. Employers will then review applications and select one or more candidates for apprenticeship with their organization. Community wrap-around services will be sought to support campers during their apprenticeship (this, for some, may include part-time work).
Creativity is encouraged. For example, employers are free to utilize or partner with other companies, schools, individuals, etc., in achieving this goal. A target date will be set for completion of CAMP and an annual awards banquet will be held to honor all happy campers and miracle makers. From each state, one individual and one employer will be hailed as camper and miracle maker of the year, respectively; and from these a national winner will be honored.
After employment is secured, campers will be asked to donate 10% of their income, for one year, to further the efforts of CAMP.
