Leading up to the 2016 Teen Choice Awards last weekend were all the star-studded Hollywood parties, which included a bash supporting The Teen Project LA.
The event took place at Sur in West Hollywood, the restaurant made famous by “Vanderpump Rules,” and was hosted by the organization’s founder, Lauri Burns.
Before heading into her party, Burns took a moment to share her personal story about being homeless with Good Celebrity.
The Teen Project LA was founded by Burns in 2007 and raises $2 million each year to take care of homeless children in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. Currently, the charity is taking care of 60 kids.
According to Burns, the organization is one of the only drug-free treatment centers for homeless children in the area. They provide drug treatment and vocational schooling to give children a foundation to start their successful lives.
Good celebrities including Mark Wahlberg and Steve Harvey support The Teen Project LA to help it continue its mission of saving kids’ lives.
“We are a parent to the parentless,” Burns said.
Other party attendees including “So You Think You Can Dance” star Asaf Goren and “America’s Next Top Model’s” Eva Marcille took a moment to speak with us and share their passion for giving back.
“I was living in the back of my car for a couple months,” Goren said. “Your self-esteem is so low.”
He continued, “I’m here to tell them, nothing will stop them. Nothing will break them. It only makes them stronger.”
Meanwhile, Marcille said that this cause is close to her heart after growing up in LA and seeing homelessness first-hand. She also runs an organization called DTLA1 where she gives back to the homeless and said that The Teen Project LA is great because of their focus on the children.
Burns shared her gratitude with us for all the support and organization surrounding the event that will help her organization assist more children and said, “Because of tonight, we’ll be able to pick up kids that have been sleeping on the street for months or years and deliver them to a safe home.”
Learn more about The Teen Project LA here.