Every year, more than 1,500 Los Angeles foster youth “age out” of the system, suddenly pushed out on their own and often unprepared for independent life. For these young people, the holidays can be a very difficult time.

The Alliance for Children’s Rights and actress Angie Harmon host a very hands-on holiday dinner held at the California School of Culinary Arts for over 30 former foster youth. The teens, many of them participants in The Alliance’s mentoring program, learn etiquette rules and how to cook delicious Thanksgiving recipes, spend time with their mentors and other supportive adults, and get to know each other over the meal.

It is an afternoon of fun and good food while giving young adults an opportunity to create their own holiday tradition as they transition into adulthood.