Celebrating 20 Years of
Inspiring Independence
Inspire’s 20 Year Timeline
2003
Kristi Perez founded Inspire after realizing the lack of support for motivated foster youth aiming to attend college. Only 6% attempted college, and 2% graduated. The initial focus was mentoring and fundraising for schoolbooks, shifting to safe housing.
October 2005
First home opened in Riverside for five girls exiting foster care.
2006
Launched the inaugural “Make a Difference” dinner and auction.
February 2007
Opened a second home near RCC Riverside, accommodating five more girls. Total participants: 11.
June 2007
Hosted the first Inspire Golf Invitational, raising funds for a boys’ program.
August 2007
Welcomed the first two young men, providing monthly housing stipends.
July 2008
Opened the first boys' home in Riverside for four boys and a resident advisor.
February 2010
Acquired a second boys’ home in Eastvale, funded by a Riverside County grant.
October 2014
Established office space at the Historic Civic Center in Corona.
June 2015
Opened a new girls' home in Corona for five additional girls.
August 2019
Introduced the Inspired Scholars program, offering stipends and coaching to students at 4-year universities.
October 2024
Purchased a Corona home with $1 million in ARPA funds from Riverside County.
September 2025
The 20th annual “Make a Difference” Gala at Victoria Club in Riverside.
Inspire’s 20th Annual Make a Difference Gala: An Emerald Celebration
What an unforgettable evening! On September 13, Inspire hosted our 20th Annual Make a Difference Gala—💚our Emerald Anniversary💚—welcoming 255 incredible guests who came together to celebrate, give, and stand with foster and homeless youth.
Thanks to your generosity, we raised $154,000 to provide young people with stable housing, mentorship, education, and the hope of a brighter future. Every gift is more than a number—it is a powerful statement that our youth are not alone.
The gala was filled with joy, laughter, and stories of resilience that reminded us why Inspire exists. This milestone celebration would not have been possible without our:
Sponsors who invested in tomorrow’s leaders.
Table hosts and donors whose generosity amplified our mission.
Guests who gave, bid, and celebrated with us.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to the next chapter of making a difference—together. 💚
With gratitude,
The Inspire Team