Proxy Parent Foundation

People living with severe mental illness need a lifetime of care, often from a parent. Tragically, when a parent dies many of the children are left with limited resources and no way to provide for their own needs. Upon the death of a caregiver, Proxy Parent Fund steps in to fill the shoes of the parent. The organization provides personal support services: finding affordable housing, maintaining healthcare and acting as a friend to help the child deal with grief and loss.

“Summa saw the need for such critical services throughout California,” said Brian Werdesheim, Co-Founder of The Summa Children’s Foundation. “When a parent dies, it can leave a hole in the lives of people living with mental illness. In addition to grief and loneliness, there is a need for housing assistance, medical care and other basic issues. This is where Proxy Parent Foundation steps in to make a real, life-saving difference for their constituents.”

The Summa Children’s Foundation saw that the need for these specialized services vastly exceeded the organization’s current capacity. That is when The Foundation began a partnership with Proxy Parents Fund to help expand its support services. Since the partnership began four years ago, Proxy Parents Fund has been able to expand its reach. Once the organization served only families living in the Los Angeles area. But now, with assistance from The Summa Children’s Foundation, the organization is serving people living in Sacramento, San Francisco and Central California.