A Real-Life Hero Beyond the Screen
Christian Bale may have played a superhero in The Dark Knight trilogy, but his latest mission takes place far from Gotham. The Oscar-winning actor is helping build Together California, a foster care village designed to keep orphaned siblings together, a real-life project he calls “the role of a lifetime”.
Located in Palmdale, California, the village aims to solve a heartbreaking issue: up to 75% of foster siblings in the U.S. are separated after entering the system.
“You imagine the trauma of that”, Bale told CBS Sunday Morning. “It’s bad enough being taken from your parents — but then losing your siblings, that’s just something we shouldn’t be doing.”
“It Just Requires Having a Heart”
Bale’s drive to help foster children doesn’t come from a personal connection to the system, it comes from compassion.
“It just requires having a heart”, he said. “As a society, we should be taking care of our children.”
His inspiration began 17 years ago, when he looked at his young daughter and imagined her growing up without parents. That moment led him to research the foster care system, where he met Tim McCormick, a veteran of Chicago’s foster programs. Together, they envisioned a village where siblings could grow up side by side, in loving, stable homes.
Building Together California
Together California is designed as a community of homes centered around a shared garden, where trained foster parents focus entirely on caring for the children. Bale describes it as a place where “authentic goodness can flourish.”
“This is what this site is about”, Bale said. “It impacts the children, but it also impacts all of us. We’re creating a different story about who we are as a society.”
Architects from AC Martin began construction in February 2024. Though it’s one of their smaller projects, CEO Tom Hsieh calls it one of their most meaningful.
“We need to give back to society”, Hsieh told CBS Sunday Morning. “This may be small, but I’m tremendously proud of it.”
Bringing a Vision to Life
For Bale, who has a passion for design, watching the village take shape is deeply rewarding.
“I love architecture and the design process”, he said. “Seeing it actually come to life is incredibly exciting.”
While the village is still under construction, fundraising continues and foster parents are being carefully selected. The team hopes to welcome the first children early next year.
“The Thing I’ll Be Most Proud Of”
Throughout his career, Bale has earned global recognition for his transformative roles. But he says Together California will stand as one of his greatest achievements.
“When I close my eyes for the last time,” Bale reflected, “I want to think, ‘Did I do some good? Did I make a change that mattered?’ This will be one of the things I’m most proud of when I draw my last breath.”