Rhonda and Ruett Foster
Rhonda and Ruett Foster have devoted their lives to violence prevention. In 1997, their 7-year-old son, Evan, was killed while sitting in their car at a park in Inglewood, California. In the aftermath of the gang-related shooting, the Fosters appealed to the perpetrators to choose peace over violence and to the community to choose love over retaliation. For 25 years, the Fosters have continued this mission, working with juvenile offenders and community members to save young lives. After Evan’s death, the Fosters created a foundation in his name and began reaching out to incarcerated youth in detention centers and juvenile facilities throughout California. They speak around the country about addressing the root causes of violence and work with faith and civic groups as well as police departments to bolster gang prevention and youth development programs.
Rhonda Foster works with the nonprofit Community Build, Inc. as a case manager in gang prevention for the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development program and recently received the Employee of the Year award at Community Build’s 30th Anniversary celebration. Ruett is the senior pastor of the Community Bible Church of Culver City, which partners with local police to provide empowerment programs for first-time youth offenders.
The Fosters live their lives, day in and day out, building community, offering service and being a force for change.