Opening of Together California - A Village for Brothers & Sisters
Academy Award-winning actor Christian Bale at the opening ceremony
Photo: Austrian Consulate General Los Angeles
On September 9, 2026, “Together California: A Village for Brothers & Sisters” was officially opened with a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony in Palmdale. The opening marked a special milestone for the Austrian American Council West (AACW), which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year.
This legacy project is a remarkable example of what can be achieved through dedication, generosity, and the enduring friendship between Austria and the United States. Made possible through the generous support of Christian Bale, Dr. Eric Esrailian, and the AACW, the village brings a proven Austrian model for the care and housing of children in foster care to California, while also serving as a powerful symbol of the longstanding and close ties between Austria and the United States.
Austria’s Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, conveyed her warmest congratulations and appreciation in a special message. Highlighting the significance of the project, she noted that providing 70 children in foster care and their siblings with a stable, loving, and permanent home goes far beyond a charitable act, describing it as “a living symbol of the friendship between Austria and the United States.”
The ceremony featured numerous prominent speakers, including Veronika Reinelt, President of the AACW, Academy Award–winning actor Christian Bale, Eric Olsen, Mayor of Palmdale, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Tim McCormick, Executive Director of Together California, and former Austrian Ambassador Dr. Helmut Türk and his wife, Dr. Monika Türk, whose original idea and early efforts helped lay the foundation for the initiative.
The ceremony received an overwhelmingly positive response and was attended by prominent political representatives and officials from various government agencies. Among the distinguished guests were Congressman George Whitesides, Assembly Member Juan Carrillo, and Assembly Member Tom Lackey. The event also obtained extensive media coverage, attracting attention locally as well as across California and throughout the United States.
Following the event, the Consulate General continued to receive messages of recognition and appreciation. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger expressed her sincere gratitude for the outstanding work of the AACW and her appreciation for the many Austrian Americans who contributed to and participated in this special occasion.
A particularly meaningful element of the project is that the heart of the village will be named the “Austrian-American Council West Community Center”. This ensures that the project’s strong Austrian connection will be prominently reflected in both the name and design of its central facility.
Photos: Austrian Consulate General Los Angeles