Six young Latinas from the foster care system receive a grand quinceañera party.

The multimedia platform Quinceanera.com and the Department of Children and Family Services of Los Angeles County join in a very supportive celebration that will feature the presence of singers Jesús Mendoza and Pedro Rivera, father of Jenny Rivera.

By Alicia García de Angela

For many young Latinas, their greatest dream is to celebrate their 15th birthday with a grand party. A dream that will also come true this year for six Latina teenagers belonging to the Los Angeles foster family program when, on March 28th, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes will be dressed up to host a very special quinceañera party.

Here, thanks to the selfless support of more than 30 companies, the young girls will receive exceptional treatment from early Saturday morning. A team of professionals will take care of styling and makeup for the occasion, as well as dressing them in the latest models of quinceañera dresses, shoes, and accessories from Luna's Bridal fashion house.

Then comes the moment of the grand party, which has been jointly organized by Quinceanera.com and the Department of Children and Family Services of Los Angeles County. This event will also emphasize the importance of raising awareness in the community about the number of children and teenagers who need permanent adoption.

"Currently, there are 18,000 children in Los Angeles in the foster care system, of which 60 percent are Latinos. So events like this serve to thank all foster parents and social workers for their incredible work with these children," said Philip L. Browning, director of the Department of Children and Family Services of L.A. "On the other hand, I also want to thank Quinceanera.com for making this event possible and turning the dream of a quinceañera into reality for our young girls."

In fact, at the quinceañera party, which will last until 6 p.m., none of the typical elements of this celebration deeply rooted in Latin culture will be missing. There will be dancing, a banquet, a photo session, gift-giving, and a huge cake that the honorees will blow out to the rhythm of "Las Mañanitas." Entertainment will be provided by DJ Santa Rosa, Jesús Mendoza, the new promise of regional Mexican music, and Pedro Rivera, father of Jenny Rivera, who will sing a waltz.

Adding a charming and charismatic touch to the ceremony will be a luxury master of ceremonies: the popular radio host Stephanie Himonidis, better known as "Chiquibaby," who will entertain the more than 150 guests present and introduce the various personalities who have supported this noble cause, including Christine Devine, host of Fox 11 News' "Wednesday Child" segment, and the renowned actress Rosa Blasi.

This charitable event has the selfless support of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Luna's Dresses by Lucy Luna, Marissa's Cake, Friar Tux, Carlton Hair Salon, Los Angeles Clippers, Hermosa Makeup, Elegance Décor, Luxury Florist, Taco's Mexico, Single Dress, DJ Santa Rosa, D. Razo Entertainment, Bergman Public Relations, Perfect Touch Entertainment, Radar Watches, Twisted Silver LLC, Spongelle, Milena's Boutique, Gerard Cosmetics, Whitening Lightening, Hillel, California Shoppe 815, La Curcio Skincare & Collection, Arbonne International, Telic Footwear, My Saint My Hero, Single Dress, Children's Trust Fund, Cal State LA School of Social Work, Hint Water, Vesper Communications, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Quinceanera.com, El Clasificado, and JCPenney for donating a gift bag to all the honorees.

 For more information on how to participate in the event, contact Alicia García de Angela at [email protected], 323-837-4086.

Read another inspiring story about the beneficial Quinceañera party that celebrated two foster care sisters.