Christian Bale to Build Village to Keep Siblings in Foster Care Together — 30 Photos
In addition to contributing his name, the Hollywood star is spearheading a groundbreaking project in California. The objective? An audacious, individual endeavor to transform the foster care experience for siblings.
After almost twenty years of perseverance, Christian Bale has finally started construction on a project that is very important to him: a specially constructed hamlet in Palmdale, California, that will keep siblings in foster care together.
In early 2024, Bale, who is renowned for his transforming roles and Oscar-winning performances, stood grinning on a dusty lot 60 miles north of Los Angeles while holding a shovel.
He was joined by benefactors and local officials to officially launch the construction of a community center and twelve homes that will shortly be completed. It is anticipated that the $22 million project will be finished in 2025.
In 2008, when Bale’s daughter was just three years old and “The Dark Knight” was sweeping the box office, the project started out as a personal mission and has gradually grown into a fully realized endeavor.
Finding out how often siblings are split up in the overloaded foster care system in Los Angeles County inspired him to take action.
“I didn’t think it was going to take that long,” Bale stated. “I had a very naive idea about kind of getting a piece of land and then, bringing kids in and the brothers and sisters living together and sort of singing songs like the Von Trapp family in ‘The Sound of Music.'”
However, the truth was more nuanced. Bale traveled to Chicago to attend child welfare sessions because he was determined to do it correctly. There, he met Tim McCormick, who had built a model like that before.
Despite setbacks and obstacles, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, McCormick noted Bale’s dedication. “We must do this in California,” he remarked. To his credit, he never gave up in the face of COVID and other obstacles,” McCormick added.
Bale, McCormick, and Dr. Eric Esrailian, a UCLA doctor and film producer, co-founded Together California, the nonprofit that spearheaded the initiative.
Construction formally started in 2024 after public money was obtained in 2022 and architectural drawings were completed in 2023. By 2025, the first kids are expected to move into their new homes.
Despite the project’s limited scope, AC Martin, the architecture firm responsible for the town design that was shared on Facebook and Instagram, has welcomed it.
“I think we’re at a point in our society where we have to help,” CEO Tom Hsieh said in reference to its importance. And in my opinion, even though building the next high-rise is wonderful, we also need to contribute back to the neighborhood and society. Even though this creation is little, I’m rather proud of it.”
Despite the site’s ongoing construction, Bale is already witnessing the realization of his idea. “I adore creating designs. He declared, “I adore architecture.” I therefore love the entire design process. Therefore, it is quite thrilling to watch it truly come to pass.”
Although more fundraising and finding qualified foster parents are still needed, the project is gaining traction. When finished, the village will serve as a physical reminder of Bale’s dedication to child welfare over the years.
“This is something that happens the final time I close my eyes, you know. I want to take a look and ask myself, “Did I do any good?” Did I bring forth any beneficial improvements to the world? And when I, you know, breathe my last breath, this will be among the things of which I’ll be most proud,” the Hollywood actor said.
No longer just a fantasy, Christian Bale’s hamlet idea is being built, financed, and progressing slowly. When finished, it will give foster siblings a permanent answer and rank among his most significant off-screen accomplishments.
