August 8, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Flash mob on Venice Beach Boardwalk raises awareness of homeless youth

 

About 60 people participated in the flash mob in Venice yesterday. (Thinkstock)
About 60 people participated in the flash mob in Venice yesterday. (Thinkstock)

The eclectic performers that make the Venice Beach Boardwalk famous had a bit of competition yesterday as a flash mob of around 60 dancers surprised visitors with a performance aimed at raising awareness of homeless youth exiting the foster care system in Los Angeles.

The young dancers, many of whom were once homeless, attracted a crowd of onlookers as they performed a choreographed routine to the song “Do You Know Where Your Children Are” by Michael Jackson.

“Most people don’t know that kids exit foster care into homelessness,” said event organizer Lauri Burns, founder of the nonprofit The Teen Project. “They think these are just bad drug addict kids on the street. If you give them a chance, they will succeed.”

Burns said many foster youth exit the system without the most basic skills needed to live independently.

“You have never had a checking account, you have never had a cell phone, you have never had a car,” Burns said. “You are kind of like 12 years old. It just creates this whole cluster of failure.”

She said finding innovative ways to teach independent living skills to foster youth is critical to keeping kids off the street when they exit the foster care system.

“They need parenting,” Burns said. “They need guidance and support. We have been going about it all wrong for a long time.”

Ashley Curtis, 25, spent her youth in the foster care system and then lived on the streets, where she turned to drugs and alcohol. She said that performing in the flash mob is part of her healing process and overcoming her past mistakes.

“I am learning so many coping skills and dance is one of them,” Curtis said. “Dance gives us a little bit of solidarity and I think it builds confidence.”

It is estimated that more than 4,000 youths are living on the streets in Los Angeles and one out of every five young adults entering homeless shelters came from the foster care system, according to The Teen Project.

Burns said that in addition to organizing the flash mob, she is working with Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin and the Venice Neighborhood Council to help end youth homelessness in Venice, a big magnet for the homeless population.

In April, The Teen Project also opened Freehab, a free 100-bed drug rehab center that provides treatment, counseling and job assistance to homeless youth.

The Venice flash mob included many Freehap residents who were taught dance moves by the nonprofit Fostering Dreams Through Dance, which aims to educate and empower foster youth through the art of dance.

Related Posts

Full Moon Frights at Cinespia: Vampires, Werewolves, and a Night Under the Stars

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Double Feature Coincides With Rare Celestial Triple Event Cinespia invites fans of horror comedy classics will gather under the glow...

Xenomorphs Hit Hollywood: FX Launches Global ‘Alien: Earth’ Hunt Ahead of Series Premiere

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Fans Can Track “Crash-Site” Crates in LA for Instant Prizes, Photo Ops, and Sweepstakes FX is bringing the world of...

Glorya Kaufman, Dance, Arts and Health Philanthropist Who Transformed L.A.’s Landscape, Dies at 95

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

From Culver City, Brentwood, UCLA, USC, and Downtown LA, Her Generosity was Legendary Glorya Kaufman, a transformative benefactor to the...

Overnight Lane Closures Set for I-405 Through Sepulveda Pass Next Week

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Caltrans to Close Multiple Northbound and Southbound Lanes Nightly  Caltrans will implement overnight lane closures along Interstate 405 in the...

Levain Bakery Lands in Beverly Hills with Cookies, Swag, and a Sweet Surprise

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Newest Location’s Debut Includes Limited-Edition Flavor, Early-Bird Giveaways Levain Bakery will mark the opening of its newest location in Beverly...

Bistro Blue’s One Night Only Seasonal Menu Pops Up at Little City Farms August 10

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Chef Kara Vorabutr’s Garden Dinner Promises to be a Seasonal Showstopper Bistro Blue, a pop-up concept by Chef Kara Vorabutr,...

Cardinale du Vin’s Weekend Izakaya Pop-Up Blends Thai Flavors and Japanese Dishes

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Three Nights Only: Thai-Japanese Fusion Menu Launched in Pico-Robertson Cardinale du Vin is unveiling a special izakaya-inspired menu this weekend,...

Santa Monica’s Chez Jay Celebrates 66 Years with Retro Bash by the Beach

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Landmark Restaurant Celebrates With Classic Cars, Live Music, Celebrity Lore One of Los Angeles County’s most storied restaurants will mark...

Film Review: Weapons

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

By Dolores Quintana You might be asking yourself what the film Weapons is about. Not to worry, writer and director...

Classic Rock Tribute Takes Center Stage at Beverly Hills Summer Series, Concerts on Canon

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Rod Lightning and the Thunderbolts of Love Bring High-Energy Hits to the Stage The City of Beverly Hills continues its...

Trial Date Set for Alleged ‘Ketamine Queen’ in Matthew Perry’s Death

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Woman Accused in Matthew Perry’s Overdose to Face Jury The woman accused of supplying the fatal dose of ketamine that...

DUI Suspect Identified and Charged in Crash That Killed 9-Year-Old, Injured Brother

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

RV Driver to Face Serious Felony Charges After Striking Boys Riding E-Scooter The 46-year-old man who was allegedly driving under...

Late-Night Traffic Stop in L.A. Lands Rap Star Soulja Boy Back in Legal Spotlight

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Rapper Taken Into Custody During Early Morning Traffic Stop Rapper Soulja Boy was taken into custody early Sunday after Los...

Deadly Crosswalk Hit and Run in West Adams, Victim Hit Multiple Times and Left to Die

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Police Seek Public Help to Identify Three Drivers Who Struck and Killed a Pedestrian  Detectives with the Los Angeles Police...

Brentwood Bookstore Welcomes a Hollywood Insider and Secret Service Agent for a Night of Noir

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Tinseltown Thrills Meet Real-Life Intrigue With Author of To Live and Die in LA Diesel, A Bookstore will host a...