Drew Furedi, Ed.D
Marjorie Ehrich Lewis
Family Spotlight
Margarita enrolled all her sons at Para Los Niños as toddlers. Her eldest son, now 27 years old, attended PLN’s preschool; and her two younger boys have graduated from PLN’s preschool and elementary school. Dylan and Daniel are currently enrolled in PLN Charter Middle School as 6th and 8th graders, respectively.
“[The classes] have greatly benefited them. It has helped them develop confidence in themselves. They’ve even had concerts with audiences, which has made them less shy and more self-assured and disciplined,” Margarita shares.
The opportunities PLN schools have given her sons–including taking classes at The Colburn School’s Community School of Performing Arts–are one of the many reasons Margarita has driven from Huntington Park to Downtown Los Angeles every weekday since 2015.
When Margarita’s sons began attending PLN, she worked near the schools; but even after leaving her job in downtown LA, she decided to drive 15 miles every morning and afternoon to give her children continued access to the education, resources, and relationships offered by PLN. “I don’t mind the commute. It is beneficial for their lives to be in a good school,” says Margarita.
Margarita shared that while she is sad to have her boys graduate and leave PLN schools in the coming years, she knows that the relationships they have formed, opportunities they have embraced, and education they have received during their time at PLN will last a lifetime.
Education
We provide high-quality academic and social-emotional education that fosters creative problem-solving and innovation in order to promote school readiness.
Support
We provide social-emotional wraparound support to parents and our communities to promote well-being, and support students’ academic and social success.
Partner
We partner with and uplift communities that connect children, youth, and families to education and resources to lead and succeed. We engage in advocacy and policy efforts to improve service delivery systems.
Our Impact
For over 42 years, PLN has partnered with children and their families to provide a comprehensive, holistic approach. As a result, we encourage families to engage with PLN in multiple ways and enroll in as many services as possible.
10% Growth
in 7th Grade Math Results at Para Los Niños Charter Middle School
71,902
Paid hours of internships by youth building their careers in our Youth Workforce Services program
18,544
Boxes distributed through Best Start, PILA, and our Peace & Healing Center
108
Parents attended workshops supporting the well-being of their families
$300,000
In grocery gift cards distributed to youth and families
96%
Of children going into kindergarten achieved all school readiness benchmarks on 2022-2023 DRDP assessments
18,401
Hours of mental health support administered to children and families
Para Los Niños is committed to supporting communities and families that are negatively impacted by the conditions in which they live, work, and play.
These conditions, known as social determinants of health (SDOH), are divided into five categories: economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and environment, and social and community context. Poverty, housing instability, literacy and language, access to health services, crime and violence, food insecurity, and discrimination – all are negative impacts one can face through their SDOH, and these are also some of the greatest issues the families of PLN face.
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Education Access and Quality
A core part of PLN’s work is to provide excellent education to children as young as six weeks old through eighth grade. However, PLN also supports youth throughout high school and college entry and acts as a resource for parents and guardians seeking educational services.
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Health Care Access and Quality
The pandemic exposed serious inequities in health care systems across the U.S., but the work of our promotoras in our communities was already strong as early as 2018. Today, PLN partners with Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles to continue to break barriers and build community access to quality health care.
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Economic Stability
Our goal is to disrupt generational poverty and give children and youth the foundation to lead successful lives through academics and social emotional skills. Further, we partner with the entire family to address setbacks and to help families overcome obstacles and move forward.
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Social Community Context
The connections we have with those around us are crucial to our health and well-being. PLN’s approach is relationship based to help children, youth, and families build connections within their homes and in their communities. PLN understands how safe and caring relationships mitigate some of the negative impact of trauma and stress.
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Neighborhood and Built Environment
Many PLN families live in neighborhoods that have high rates of violence, unsafe air or water, and other safety and health risks. Our goal is to help residents advocate for systems change, uplift the voices of the marginalized, and make space for them to catalyze the change they want to see in their communities.
Para Los Niños was founded on Skid Row, so supporting the unhoused community is part of our foundation. While the majority of those who reside in the area are single men or women, for the families who lose their homes, or are recent immigrants waiting for asylum, or for the children born into poverty – there is only one crisis shelter who will accept them: Union Rescue Mission (URM). Recognizing URM’s role as a home to many children on Skid Row, Para Los Niños approached URM and formed a partnership to support resident families. PLN’s mental health team serves URM families and children with no documentation or insurance required.
Further, the PLN mental health team spearheaded
the Skid Row Collaborative in partnership with fellow agencies to better share the resources and process for housing support with case managers and service providers across the county. PLN Best Start Region 1 also focused primarily
on housing this year, to address the rising concerns of residents. After accessing participants it was found that afford-ability, lack of adequate housing, and quality of housing itself, were overwhelmingly the primary concerns of PLN communities.
Due to our location and partnership with URM, the children staying there also attend our schools. In fact, at our early education center on 6th Street, 89% of parents identified as unhoused. In addition, PLN Charter Middle School is the “home school” for URM 6-8th graders; nearly 10% of the CMS student population identify
as homeless.
With our robust family support services and social workers on site, we have initiatives designed to welcome students and provide them with laundry access; new clothes; snacks; free meals; and trusted, safe adults with whom to build relationships. Our organization has strong intervention systems and fully integrated supports across our mental health, school staff, and clinical services to support children and families experiencing homelessness through academics, linkages, concrete supports, and even financial support to find a home and build a stable, connected environment.
51
Families outside of PLN schools provided Mental Health Support Services through agreement with Union Rescue Mission
60
Families participated in free playgroups at Union Rescue Mission run by Para Los Niños PILA program to build stronger parent child bonds and play safely and freely
$86K
Distributed to families at risk of losing their home – funded through The Dr. Ruth Milman and Dr. Frederick Schiff Foundation
“Para Los Niños shows people that they’re not alone. I’ve seen better behavior for my children, more successful at school. We are all happier.”
– Martha, Para Los Niños client and mom of three who was at Union Rescue Mission experiencing homelessness, now in long term housing.
PLN’s Youth Workforce Services program guides youth, ages 14 to 24, on the path to success in education and the workforce. For many YWS students, this path leads them back to PLN to help serve kids like them who deserve guidance, support, and relationships to unlock their full potential. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find staff at PLN who were a part of PLN schools or services when they were younger. PLN is proud of the number of PLN alumni who return to join the mission and pave the way for more children, youth, and families to succeed. Darlene and Beto are both YWS graduates who work at PLN to transform communities and build a brighter future for children, youth, and families.
It was over 25 years ago that Bill Panzera first heard of Para Los Niños from a friend in a running club. It was an instant connection though when Bill met the students, “It started with the children – just fantastic, and then meeting the employees. I was impressed to find that many employees were former students there. This certainly made me feel better about the organization” Bill shared of his experiences over the years visiting.
After several visits, Bill encouraged his partner, Janet Moss, to support PLN as well. Janet worked in the garment district for many years, which fostered a sense of kinship with PLN families. “The Textile Association of Los Angeles hosted a Christmas party every year for downtown schools, and PLN was included,” shares Janet. “It was so rewarding to see their faces as the event – but it was always about the kids!”
“Over time we got to meet more students and employees and felt that our money was being well used,” Bill continues. Today Bill and Janet are Futuro Family members and continue to be champions of PLN.
“We donate to other charities and it’s more of a formality. We feel personally involved with Para Los Niños. PLN is caring for the children and families they serve to make their lives better as they go forward.”
– Bill Panzera and Janet Moss,
PLN Donors for 25 years, Futuro Family Members
As a company, Arch Insurance aims to support and uplift the communities it serves. It was important for Arch Insurance to be a part of something bigger than themselves and to support communities marginalized by society due to income and race. “We saw the nurturing and dedication from the staff and teachers to ensure a safe and inclusive environment,” shares John Washington, Vice President of Arch Insurance Group and dedicated volunteer. “For the people involved, its not a job – it’s a mission to make sure the kids are learning and loved.”
Inspired by their initial visit, Arch coordinated with staff and teachers to “adopt” PLN Charter Elementary School’s first-grade class in 2018. Since then, Arch Insurance employees have visited the class regularly, reading with students and supporting teachers with their curriculum. In 2020, when the pandemic necessitated distance learning, Arch continued with their commitment and even supported with fundraising to ensure students had all they needed to be successful from home.
Each year, Arch has found more ways to support their class and partner with PLN. In 2022, John joined PLN’s annual benefit host committee and had the privilege of introducing one of the students from his “adopted” class on stage to recite a poem.
PLN is immensely grateful for the support and dedication of Arch Insurance employees. Their partnership is an example of how rewarding the commitment to young minds is for the students and for volunteers alike.
“For the people involved, its not a job – it’s a mission to make sure the kids are learning and loved.”
– John Washington, Vice President of Arch Insurance Group and dedicated volunteer
We welcomed thousands of volunteers across our sites over the past year to help beautify campuses, clean up classrooms, and read to students at PLN schools; edit resumes and hold practice interviews for YWS youth; and much more.
The volunteer program is still growing, and we are always looking for individuals, corporations, foundations, and employee groups to support through in-kind gifts and time – whether you prefer a single day or service or mentoring a youth for years, there is an opportunity for you!
Thank you to our Corporations, Organizations
and Individuals from the 2022-2023 year!
Arch Insurance
Avelo Airlines
Blue Shield Promise
Campbell Hall School
Caruso Cares
Alea Chin
Clase Azul
Maria Cos- Olivera
Cotton On
Angela Couche
Disney
GAP
Nicolas Gertler
Alan Go
Nelyda Gonzalez
Ezequiel Guzman
Estrella Jimenez
Naomi Kim
Cecilia- Karen W’emedi
Maggie Kolchina
LA County’s Military & Veterans Affairs Office
LA Works
Rachel Levy
Los Encinos School
Milken Community School
Mira Costa High School
National Charity League
Argelia Nava- Massey
Optum, Inc
Nia Patel
Rhino Records
Bo Thordarson
Drew Turner
United Talent Agency
USC Catholic Center
Verizon
Nicolette Voskericyan
Molly Wachhorst
John Washington
Wedbush
WME
Irene Yeh
Family Days
All three PLN charter schools held a Family Day event to kick off the school year and welcome new and returning students to campus. PLN staff distributed backpacks and supplies and offered information on mental health services, internship opportunities, and much more!
Benefactors Breakfast
PLN hosted its first annual benefactors breakfast for supporters to learn about PLN’s work in depth. Staff from across the organization participated in a panel discussion on current issues, wins, and challenges and led funders in attendance on a tour of the Charter Elementary School campus.
Peace & Healing Center
Para Los Niños was selected to operate one of eight Peace & Healing Centers in Los Angeles as part of a $2 million pilot program created by the LA Civil Rights Department and funded by the City of Los Angeles’ Reforms for Equity and Public Acknowledgment of Institutional Racism (L.A. REPAIR) program. Led by PLN, the South LA center partners with local community-based organizations to create community spaces and culturally informed programming for environmental, economic, and social healing.
Mental Health Expansion
Demand for mental health services has risen drastically across PLN, as mood and anxiety disorders have increased. In response, PLN is augmenting its mental health clinical services through a contract expansion with the LA County Department of Mental Health and a new federal grant through the U.S. Department of Education. As a result, PLN is able to offer support to families in our communities who were previously ineligible due to lack of documentation or insurance.
2023 Annual Benefit
Para Los Niños welcomed 300 of Los Angeles’
largest corporations, foundations, and philanthropists to celebrate the work and impact of PLN’s very own mental health and wellbeing teams and initiatives. The night, featuring moving presentations from elementary school students and mental health staff, set an annual benefit fundraising record; as PLN’s generous supporters gave more than ever before.
Ana’s Story
For years, Ana, a parent of three Para Los Niños students, struggled to respond to her children’s emotional needs. From a young age, Ana endured unimaginable hardships. As a mother, she worked tirelessly to build a home that would not replicate those hardships.
However, despite her best efforts the trauma she experienced as a child impacted her relationship with her children. Knowing she had to address her underlying issues to better support her children emotionally, Ana sought help from PLN’s Mental Health team where she was connected to Daibelis Yerena, MFT. Through her sessions with Daibelis, Ana worked on regulating her emotions, building her communication skills, and developing a more positive approach to parenting.
“My whole life, truthfully, has been challenging. My life has been challenging because my mother died when I was one year old.”
“[My childhood] affected me because, without realizing it, I wasn’t very loving [to my children]. I was one of those moms who didn’t hug her children, the kind that thought it wasn’t necessary because I didn’t have it.”
Before therapy, Ana coped with her stress by establishing strict rules for her children, like demanding silence in the car instead of allowing conversation. Over time, Ana realized how this rule hindered her relationship with her children; they could not share exciting projects, new friends, or simple anecdotes from their day.
Today, Ana enjoys picking up her eldest daughter from college to hear about her day and welcomes her four-year-old daughter’s enthusiastic stories from class. Ana credits her work with Daibelis for her improvements in active listening and emotion regulation.
Get Involved
Join Our Team
Para Los Niños offers a competitive and comprehensive
benefits program, plus opportunities for continued growth and professional development. Learn more here.
Volunteer
We welcome volunteers from corporations, schools, individuals, and more. Check out page here to learn more!
