By Development Team | Kidsave Staff
By the time Eunice was ten years old, she had already lived in thirty-six foster homes. There was no time to settle in, no chance to feel stable—just a constant cycle of starting over. She learned early to rely on herself because nothing in her environment stayed the same for long.
That changed when her social worker introduced her to Kidsave’s Los Angeles Weekend Miracles program, a program that connects older youth in foster care with caring adults who can become mentors, hosts, or even lifelong family—if the youth choose.
At her very first Weekend Miracles event, Eunice met Sari Weiner, a Kidsave volunteer and future mentor.
“I was just walking around and bumped into her,” Eunice said. “We bonded instantly.”
That first connection was easy—but what came after wasn’t.
As Eunice and Sari got to know each other, trust took time. Eunice admitted she would often push Sari away.
“I would push her away,” she said. “We were always getting into arguments, but she never left.”
For Eunice, that consistency was something she had never experienced before—someone choosing to stay, even through difficulty. Over time, that stability began to shift everything.
Eunice met Sari when she was eleven. Sari welcomed her into her home at twelve. And when Eunice turned eighteen, Sari officially adopted her. Today, Eunice doesn’t hesitate to call her mom.
“[Sari] waited so I could get funding for college,” Eunice said. “But papers never made us family.”
College brought a new set of challenges. Eunice struggled with whether she truly belonged in that environment, and the idea of higher education once felt out of reach. Still, she pushed forward—attending Ohio Wesleyan University before graduating from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
“Acclimating to college was tough,” she said. “A lot of different people.”
Over time, she found community and purpose, especially through her work with Project F.O.C.U.S. at UNLV, a program supporting college-aged students with intellectual disabilities.
After graduating, Eunice discovered her passion in an unexpected way—while searching for her missing dog. During visits to animal shelters across Las Vegas, she began applying for jobs and quickly realized she had found something that felt right.
That moment led to her launching Never Furgotten Animal Rescue, a backyard-based rescue that reflects both her resilience and her heart. Today, she cares for dogs and cats in need, balancing the demands of rescue work with the realities of limited space and resources. After recently receiving IRS approval for her tax ID, she is now able to officially accept donations and continue growing her mission.
Her vision is big: expanding her rescue, adding a transport vehicle, and eventually helping animals nationwide.
People often underestimate Eunice—her leadership, her drive, her ability to build something from nothing. But what they miss is the depth of her commitment and care.
“If it wasn’t for my mom and these dogs, I don’t know where I’d be,” Eunice said. “The smile on their faces every day… the way they make me feel when I’m sad.”
For Eunice, the connection is clear. The same program that helped her find family also shaped her desire to care for others who need it most.
“Kidsave is the best thing ever,” she said. “It made me and my mom come together. It’s not just a program. It’s a life changer.”
Through monthly events, the Los Angeles Weekend Miracles program helps older youth in foster care build meaningful relationships with adults who can become mentors—or family.
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