Christian Bale launches transformative project in California for foster children

Christian Bale has been working for 16 years to build a village for foster children so that brothers and sisters can grow up under one roof

It’s not often reported, but Christian Bale has initiated an enormous project in California: building a village for foster children. Through the next 16 years, this will keep siblings together through the system of foster care, allowing them to grow up under one roof.

This village will include 12 houses, two studio apartments for transitional housing for older teens and a community center. The project was inspired by the birth of Bale’s daughter in 2005. “That kind of made me learn about the problem that’s going on with foster kids in Los Angeles County, and the statistic that really shocked me was siblings being separated,” he said.

The village, in Palmdale – 60 miles north of Los Angeles – is believed to reach a cost estimate of $22 million and be completed by 2025. Bale is also co-founder of Together California, working closely with its executive director, Tim McCormick, along with Dr. Eric Esrailian, to bring this project into being. He hasn’t just provided the financing but involved himself in every stage of the planning and building process.

Hoping to repeat this model elsewhere

At the groundbreaking event, Bale called this village “transformative” and said he hopes that it was only just the beginning. They are not alone, as local authorities such as Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Palmdale Mayor Austin Bishop voiced support for the project.

The city of Palmdale has approved $1.2 million in pre-construction grants for the village, while another $500,000 has been allocated by Los Angeles County. Bale attended the event and thanked everyone present after the announcement, stating that he now had the chance to make a solid change in children’s lives.

The aim is to outline a model that can be replicated in other locations, providing a continuative and safe environment for foster children to grow up in and face the future with more opportunities and hope.

Source: City of Palmdaleca