Legendary Music Producer Kashif Re-Brands the Face of Foster Care

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- Kashif. He's known for writing and producing chart-topping hits for Whitney Houston, Kenny G, Dionne Warrick, George Benson, Lil' Kim, Al Jarreau, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and many other acclaimed recording artists. But Kashif is more than a great musician. He's also a humanitarian on a mission to raise awareness about foster care, an issue he knows a lot about. You see, he grew up in foster care, shuttled from one abusive home to another - eight in total.

Three years ago, Kashif founded the iCare Foundation to promote a better quality of life for children in foster care. On July 26, 2008, the iCare Foundation will host the 5K Walk/Run for Foster Care at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thousands of people from across the State of California and Los Angeles area are expected to participate in this first-ever event, including many of Hollywood's A-list celebrities. "I've asked my friends in the business to use their star power to shine light on the nation's foster care crisis," says Kashif.

More than a half million children in the U.S., including over 73,000 in California, are living in foster care. They range in age from infancy to 18. They are White, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, and disproportionately African American. Their parents have abused, neglected or abandoned them. The foster care system has stepped in to provide protection, safety and loving homes, but that is not always the outcome. Research shows that children in foster care are more likely than other children to suffer emotional, behavioral, and physical health problems and poverty. Their well-being and futures are at-risk. Consider the following dire statistics:

    Every year in America--

?    800,000 Children in foster care

?    Over 74,000 youth in foster care in California

?    Over 24,000 youth in foster care in Los Angeles County

?    24,000+ children age out of the foster care system and lose most of their financial benefits

?    Over 50% become homeless within 60 days of "aging out" of foster care

?    Only 54% of children in foster care earn a high school diploma

?    Only 2% obtain a bachelor's degree or higher

?    Yet 84% become parents

?    If the current trends persist, by year 2020 there will be over 20 million youth in foster care

According to John hill, chief of staff for L.A. County Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke, in Los Angeles, where nearly 24,000 children are in foster care, almost 100 percent of youth in the county's juvenile detention facilities are also in the foster care system.

Kashif aims to stop the perpetuation of those dire statistics. "I personally know the plight of children who have been removed from their homes through no fault of their own. I came into the foster care system when I was only four months old. My mother, a single parent, was incarcerated. I endured eight foster homes in total, all of which where neglectful and/or abusive." At an early age, Kashif demonstrated a talent for music, which led him to a better life. "I developed talent that unfolded into a wonderful and fulfilling music career. But I am the lucky one, the 'anti-statistic.' Most youth in foster care are not presented the opportunities that were presented to me. That is why I started the iCare Foundation."

The iCare 5K Walk for Foster Care will feature not only a 5k walk/run but also a wide range of uplifting "edutainment" activities designed to provide information, resources and inspiration to current and future parents, foster parents, adoptive parents and mentors. "We want to motivate action and change lives," says Kashif. The day's events will include bilingual interactive parenting classes, roundtable discussions with youth advocates and policymakers, and initiatives to recruit foster and adoptive parents.

Furthers Kashif, "The safety and success of children in foster care depends on a number of factors, most notably placement in loving, stable homes and contact with other caring adults. Therefore, we will be recruiting caring adults to become foster parents, adoptive parents, and/or mentors. Also, we will help them strengthen their parenting skills. Our goal is to help ensure that every child is in a loving home."

In addition to the forums, the iCare 5K Walk for Foster Care will feature a live music concert by top artists, health screenings for diabetes, high blood pressure and other health conditions, employment booths, and opportunities to get celebrity autographs.

The iCare 5K Walk for Foster Care is a collaborative effort with support across the public, nonprofit and private sectors. "We are thrilled to have the support of Casey Family Programs, KJLH Radio 102.3 FM, FantaSEA Yacht Club, KDAY Radio, 93.5 FM Essence Cares, L.A. Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Foster Care Alumni of America (Los Angeles Branch), and many other national and local organizations. Their generosity goes a long way in making the walk possible," concludes Kashif. "We also have invited national and all State of California elected officials to join us at the walk and spread the word among their constituents. The response has been great."

A portion of the proceeds from the iCare 5K Walk for Foster Care will help fund the hundreds of community based organizations that provide services to youth in foster care. A portion will support the iCare Foundation's signature programs such as: iCare Mentorship Dinner Cruise, iCare Celebrity Sports & Entertainment Camp, iCare Top Ten America Education and Enrichment Program, and iCare Top Ten America Academic Competition. iCare Foundation provides these programs at no cost to the youth who attend.

To register for the walk, please visit www.WalkforFosterCare.org. Registration is $25. The iCare Foundation would like to register at least 2 adults for every child in foster care in California. That equals 146,000 people. On behalf of the more than 73,000 children in foster care in California, help the iCare Foundation reach that goal. Please register for the walk today.

Following is the schedule of activities:

7:00 a.m.-8:45 a.m.    Media Check-In

7:00 a.m.-7:45 a.m.    Walker/Runner Check-In and Registration

7:45 a.m.        Opening Ceremony

8:00a.m.        Walkers/Runners Step Out Onto the Route

9:00 a.m.        "Edutainment" Activities

12:00 p.m.        Live Concert

2:00 p.m.        Announcement of Fundraising Total

For more information about the walk/run, please visit www.WalkforFosterCare.org.

About the iCare Foundation

Now in its third year, the iCare Foundation exists to enrich and improve the quality of life for children in foster care by providing educational programs and enrichment activities that develop supportive mentoring relationships. Music legend Kashif is the founder and CEO of the foundation. He grew up in and aged out of the foster care system, having never known his biological parents and persevering through abandonment, abuse and eight foster homes. As a result of Kashif's personal experience and passion to bring about change, the iCare Foundation is dedicated to "re-branding" a more positive face of foster care to and increasing of awareness about its issues. The iCare Foundation is located at 13600 Marina Pointe Drive, Suite 901, Marina Del Rey, California 90292. Office Number: 310-827-1809. Fax Number: 310-564-0444. Web site: www.TeamiCare.org. E-mail: nicole @ TeamiCare.org.

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