We, the caregivers and children of Friends of the Children Los Angeles demand the immediate resignation of Jorie Das as Executive Director of Friends LA and call for the reinstatement of Program Director Tyana Ingram. This petition aims to shed light on the alarming situation within Friends LA and advocate for justice and accountability.

1. Inadequate Leadership:
Under Jorie Das's leadership, Friends LA has experienced a decline in its ability to effectively serve vulnerable children and families in our community. The organization's mission is compromised due to poor decision-making processes and a lack of transparency. A recent decision to terminate the most dedicated, involved, caring, and determined Program Director of all time after staff began speaking up against working conditions is unforgivable.

2. Disregard for Qualified Professionals:
The abrupt and unexplained departure of Tyana Ingram raises serious concerns about Jorie Das's commitment to supporting at-risk youth in Los Angeles. Ms. Ingram possesses extensive experience working with families impacted by the foster care system and has consistently demonstrated her dedication to improving their lives. I am now in fear that other mentors in this organization may decide to leave, just as parents are deciding to do based upon this decision, which is a shame! This organization promises to support each child for 12+ years but does not do the work to keep staff happy enough to stay for a full term, and does not appropriately value the relationships that mentors and even the Program Director herself have built with youth and caregivers.

3. Negative Impact on Foster Youth:
Jorie Das's leadership failures have had detrimental effects on foster youth who rely on Friends LA for support services such as counseling, advocacy programs, educational assistance, and more. Friends LA asks foster youth to share their vulnerable stories and personal family traumas in order to receive funding and donations. But behind closed doors, Jorie is uncaring, unresponsive to our needs, and unwilling to listen to families in this program. She has made us feel used and thrown away. Caregivers in this program have been misled, from the way that calculation of hours spent with kids in this program changed once Jorie took over, to receiving the cold and callous treatment that she has revealed to us, such as cancelling planned meetings with caregivers with only four minutes notice.
4. Community Trust Erosion:
The ongoing controversies surrounding Jorie Das's leadership have immediately eroded trust in Friends LA by its families. We no longer trust this program or its leadership, and are withdrawing support by protesting, spreading the word, removing our children, and more. While we once advocated for expanding this program, we can no longer do so in good faith with the current Executive Director Jorie Das in place.  I can no longer recommend this as a safe organization that vulnerable youth and caregivers should have trust in. Former foster youth should BEWARE.
We, the concerned citizens of Los Angeles, believe that Jorie Das's continued presence as Executive Director undermines the values and objectives of Friends LA. We demand her immediate resignation and call for Tyana Ingram's reinstatement as a respected Social Worker who has proven her dedication to improving the lives of foster youth.

By signing this petition, we urge all stakeholders - including donors, volunteers, community members, and elected officials - to join us in demanding accountability within Friends LA. Together, let us ensure that our most vulnerable children receive the care they deserve from an organization led by individuals who prioritize their well-being above all else.

#JusticeForFosterYouth #AccountabilityMatters