Our Story
How it Began
For years, I would hear the radio message: “Not everyone can be a foster parent, but anyone can help a foster child.” Every time, it brought tears to my eyes. I knew in my heart that one day, I wanted to do something to help these innocent children.
That moment came in 2011 when we started Angels in the Alley, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting foster and at-risk children of all ages. Since then, we’ve raised nearly a million dollars and helped hundreds of children — providing them with funds to pay for karate lessons, a bike to get to work, or supplies to make their dorm room feel like home. Our goal is simple: to be an extended family for kids who need one.
Many years ago, I saw this thank-you note hanging on the wall from a young foster child. As I read it, tears streamed down my face.
The words hit me deeply because I had been in her shoes—literally. That was the moment I knew I was all in. Since then, my passion for helping these kids has only grown. Today, in addition to running Angels in the Alley, I serve on the executive and advisory boards of Koinonia Family Services.
Looking back, it’s incredible to think that everything started with a radio message and a simple thank-you note. It is proof that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a life-changing difference, and because of the generosity of our donors, our future is bright. We are proud to share that we are expanding our outreach to support even more children in need.
Our Mission
Our mission at Angels in the Alley is to bring love and light to foster and at-risk children throughout our community. With the help of hundreds of donors, we provide the kids with a magical Christmas event that they will never forget. But it doesn’t stop there! We continually find ways to support these wonderful children all year long. Whether it is to supply the funds needed to play a sport, take music lessons, or buy books for college. Our Angels in the Alley scholarships allow these children to move forward in their young lives and just ‘be a kid’, often for the first time.
Gratitude That Fuels Us
The heart of Angels in the Alley is reflected in the gratitude and hope of the kids we serve. When people ask why we do all this for the foster kids, it’s kids like these gals that make all the sleep-deprived, coffee-fueled days completely worthwhile.
A Letter from Anna | A Note from Angela
These short reflections remind us that every act of kindness has a lasting impact.
Last year’s Angels’ event was phenomenal! It felt like the fun never ended…one
thing after another of constant excitement! Being able to enjoy the Christmas spirit
while bowling was a win-win. Being a part of Koinonia and attending Angels in the Alley
brought me even closer to the other kids at the foster home, because we were
practicing our Christmas carol and all looking forward to the event.
My favorite part of the event was at the end. We got awards for things that Dorian and
the other elves observed us throughout the night and we got an award for things like
our integrity and honestly just having fun. Dorian and her elves showed us that
everyone is a winner and that we have lots of people who truly care about us…even if
they don’t know us.
Angels in the Alley is an experience that me and all us foster kids will never forget –
ever! Thank you for being our Elf
My Koinonia Christmas and Angels in the Alley experience was the most
amazing experience I’ve had!! I’m so grateful for everything I got blessed with.
Angels in the Alley gave me a huge surprise by giving me a scholarship and the
opportunity to have something to support me and my education. We did so many fun
things like our hat contest and rapping contest.
My Christmas was nothing like I’ve ever had or could imagine it to be. I got so
many presents and so many letters that meant a lot. But I would of never experienced
that if it wasn’t for Koinonia.
People like that are the ones who have had the most impact in my life. Yes, I
loved the presents and all but the love I had for those who took their time to bless us
and help us get a Christmas like this is a love I can’t explain.
I’m grateful that there’s people who don’t even know us or anything about us
and loves us so much and show me that’s the way to live.
Being here at first, we all feel lost, but we realize that wherever you are we are
all a family. If I wasn’t here, I never would have learned or experienced any of this.
This year I get to experience everything again and it only gets better and my family gets
bigger.
Thank you for caring about us!