PEARLS Foundation is a charitable organization within the meaning of Section 50I(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), and the Texas Tax Code, Section 11.18. providing assistance to PEARLS Court, EAGLES Court, and the participants and graduates of these restorative Court Programs. Our goal is to make a positive difference for Teens in Foster Care. Created in 2017, PEARLS Foundation was created by a group of amazing volunteers who wanted to assist PEARLS Court and its programming. Since then, the Foundation has expanded its focus to include teen boys in the EAGLES Court restorative court and the alummi of both Court programs.
Court Programs, Building resiliency in teens in Foster Care, Scholarships, Events
PEARLS Foundation supports the PEARLS Court and EAGLES Court programs. As such, our focus is providing resources to assist these restorative court programs to provide comprehensive trauma-informed care, powerful positive mentoring, and interactive life-skills training to Foster Care Teens in Bexar and surrounding counties.
PEARLS Foundation supports the intiatives of Bexar County PEARLS and EAGLES Courts and provides resources for youth in foster care who will be aging out to independence at age 18. PEARLS Foundation supports the intiatives of Bexar County PEARLS and EAGLES Courts and provides resources for youth in foster care who will be aging out to independence at age 18.
Kathy Driffil was one of the founding mentors of PEARLS Court, board member and second President of the PEARLS Foundation. She passed away in 2019, after dedicating so much of her life to PEARLS girls. Her estate, family and friends created the Kathy Driffil Scholarship to honor her memory and to further her work. The Scholarship provides assistance to PEARLS and EAGLES almuni who are attending higher education programs.
Exploring future aspirations is a cornerstone of PEARLS and EAGLES Court. Each year, youth expand their knowledge of possible careers by speaking directly with community volunteers in the field.
These events offer participants the opportunity to dig deep into learning about themselves, their interests, possible career paths and life skills.
These events provide participants the opportunity to serve their community and learn the importance of giving back. Activities range from hosting activities for seniors, to tending the Food Bank gardens, to delivering meals for Meals on Wheels.
Every year, PEARLS and EAGLES Court celebrates the hard work and dedication of each youth over the past year. PEARLS Foundation is the sponsor of this affirming and heart-warming celebration.
Experiencing the great outdoors offers participants the opportunity to learn survival skills, overcome failure, build self-esteem and promote discipline. Once a year, alongside our mentors, staff, and judges, our youth spend the weekend developing relationships with their village, each other and getting to know themselves on a deeper level.
PEARLS Foundation is focused on standing with teens in Foster Care and supporting their efforts to rise to adulthood.
PEARLS & EAGLES Teens Supported
As of the 2021-23 school year, 134 Teens have been part of PEARLS and EAGLES Courts. In 2021-22, 43 teens actively participated.
PEARLS & EAGLES Teens Graduate!
100% of youth eligible to graduate were able to graduate and 90% were promoted to the next grade level. 75% of youth enrolled in college successfully completed their first year.
PEARLS & EAGLES Teens Make Positive Decisions!
98% of teens chose to postpone parenthood, and 95% improved in stress management. Almost all the Teens avoid tobacco, alcohol, and unprescribed drugs entirely. Maintaining a stable and permanent placement continues to be challenging, with 75% reaching this goal.
PEARLS & EAGLES Teens Grow Strong Relationships!
In the 2021-22 school year, 39 youth were matched with a mentor from the community.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Helen Keller
Donations are used by the PEARLS Foundation to fund programming needs of PEARLS Court and EAGLES Court, including resources that generally are not provide by Foster Care or tax funds, to support opportunities to support and normalize the teen years for youth in foster care.
We would love to facilitate you investing your time in our PEARLS and EAGLES teens. Please let us know if you are interested!!
We are so deeply grateful to all of our Community who have joined with us to make a positive and life-changing change for Teens Foster Care.
