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Salesian Family Youth Center

The Heart of Service: the Stories Behind the Salesian Family Youth Center

In the heart of Boyle Heights, the Salesian Family Youth Center (SFYC) is a place of hope, resilience, and transformation. While its programs and facilities benefit countless children and families, the true soul of the center lies in its staff—dedicated individuals whose own journeys are testaments to the power of community, mentorship, and love.

Each staff member has a unique story, but together, they form a tapestry that embodies the Salesian mission of fostering growth, leadership, and service.

From Seeking Guidance to Inspiring Others
 
Jason’s story begins with a phone call. Overwhelmed and seeking advice for his nonprofit work, he found a mentor in JC Montenegro, the executive director of SFYC. That first meeting was life-changing, and today, Jason is a crucial contributor to the center’s programs, building athletic initiatives and supporting youth development.
Similarly, Juana, now 24, first walked through SFYC’s doors as a seven-year-old, introduced by a neighbor. Over the years, Juana grew under the guidance of leaders like Hector Bañuelos and Bro. Tom Mass. Their care and dedication inspired her to take on leadership roles, eventually becoming a staff member who now helps others thrive as she once did.
 
Finding Purpose Through Connection
 
For Jennifer, SFYC became a sanctuary during a time of profound loss. After joining as a camper in 2004, she transitioned to volunteering and, later, to a full-time role. Jennifer’s journey reflects the center’s tireless support during life’s challenges. She now gives back by mentoring youth, saying, “It’s not just work; it’s a family.”

Alex, who once struggled with bullying, found his confidence and voice at SFYC through the SHOUT program. His father’s advice to join turned out to be life-changing. Today, Alex works with the same program, inspiring others to embrace their true selves.

The Power of Friendship and Leadership

Tiffany’s initial reluctance to attend a St. Mary’s Church youth group turned into a transformative experience. Through the group, she built lifelong friendships and discovered her passion for volunteering. After years of service, Tiffany is now part of the WeCare program, where she works alongside her best friends to make a difference in the lives of others.

Adrian, who first came to SFYC as a child, was inspired by the kindness and warmth of the staff. Although life pulled him away for a time, he returned with a deep desire to give back. Today, Adrian channels that same welcoming spirit, ensuring every child feels as supported as he once did.

Mentorship That Changes Lives

Rene’s journey into the SFYC family started with his brother Angel’s encouragement. Though initially out of his comfort zone, Rene found inspiration in JC’s relentless drive to serve and improve. One of Rene’s most cherished memories is watching a student he mentored graduate, a testament to the center’s impact on young lives.

Andres echoes this sentiment, crediting SFYC with teaching him responsibility, patience, and confidence. Overcoming personal challenges, Andres has achieved goals he once thought impossible, thanks to the motivation and support he found at the center.

Post-Pandemic Renewal and Leadership

Cris’s journey began hesitantly as he re-entered social spaces after COVID-19. With encouragement from mentors, he gave SFYC’s summer camp a chance. Years later, Cris has risen to leadership roles, building lifelong friendships and finding fulfillment in serving youth year-round

Rey also discovered a new path at SFYC after transitioning from restaurant management. Encouraged by a friend, he joined SHOUT and found a workplace filled with joy and camaraderie. For Rey, his work highlights the connection he shares with the children and his fellow staff.

Rooted in Community and Faith

Christina’s story is deeply rooted in the Salesian mission. Christina has embraced every opportunity, from participating in catechism to serving as a camp counselor to the site coordinator. She now helps lead programs in Boyle Heights, finding joy in the community she’s built and the lives she’s touched at the SFYC. For Christina, the Salesian values of loving kindness and service are the foundation of everything she does.

A Shared Mission of Service

At its core, the Salesian Family Youth Center is not just a building or an organization—it is a home. It is a place where children and families are welcomed, challenges are met with compassion, and dreams are nurtured into reality.

The staff’s collective narrative is one of transformation. Each person brings their own experiences, struggles, and triumphs, creating a community that uplifts and inspires. Their stories reflect the heart of SFYC: a commitment to making a difference, one child at a time.

The Salesian Family Youth Center is more than a workplace; it is a family. And every day, this family grows more robust, united by their shared belief in the power of service and the enduring impact of love.

Click here to learn more about Salesian Family Youth Center. 

Sages and Seekers

For this month’s #SeekerSpotlight, we are featuring Lina!
Lina is a first year University student from Bogotá, Colombia. She is extremely familiar with Sages&Seekers, and this upcoming Fall will be her 11th time participating in the program. Fun fact, Lina owns a bakery business!
Her favorite memory in Sages&Seekers has been: “Re-encountering my first sage on my tenth time in the program. Most wonderful feeling ever. All of my sages have had such a meaningful impact on my life, and this particular sage helped me greatly during a low point in the Pandemic.”
Looking forward to having you participate in the Fall Lina!
 

OCLA

Who is Team WIN?
Team WIN is a group of wonderful young adults who are helping OCLA® spread the word about the WIN app in the community!

About Team WIN
The Team WIN program is a part-time paid internship program for young adults who have experienced resource-insecurity and/or homelessness. This program was founded in Dec 2018 to offer participants bi-weekly training in social media and video production. Team WIN members have also had the opportunity to gain experience in direct community outreach through public presentations, tabling events and street outreach.

Watch Team WIN’s Survive Video Series
In these terrific videos, Team WIN shows you How to Use the WIN app and offers tips how to “shop at a food pantry”, cook a nutritious meal using food pantry items, sign up for a free “Obama” phone, and so much more!

Click here to learn more about OCLA.

Kingdom Causes Bellflower

Board members play a pivotal role in the success and sustainability of our work here at Kingdom Causes Bellflower. Serving as a board member, particularly for a small non-profit like ours, is a unique and rewarding experience that allows individuals to make a tangible difference in the community.

Dan Copeland and Pastor Mike Larsen are two such individuals who made an impact in our community as board members at KCB. And now, as they transition out of their roles as board members, we reflect on the time they served and express our deepest gratitude for their support over the years. We know the seeds they’ve sown during their tenure will continue to bear fruit, making a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve here at KCB.

Read on to learn more about Pastor Mike’s and Dan’s experiences serving on the KCB board and the messages of encouragement they leave for us all.

PASTOR MIKE LARSEN

Pastor Mike stands with his wife outside of Margaret’s House after finishing their volunteer work with their family for the day.

During his time on the board, Pastor Mike held the position of Secretary & Treasurer, diligently handling administrative responsibilities. When asked about his motivation for joining the KCB board, Mike explains that he was inspired by everything the organization was doing to address the felt needs within the community. It was this shared commitment to making a positive impact that drove him to serve.

Mike found immense pride in being part of a board that cared deeply about the community and its neighbors. The most rewarding aspect for him was witnessing the genuine dedication of his fellow board members. Their shared passion for making a difference created a sense of unity and purpose that made his journey on the board truly fulfilling.

Reflecting on KCB’s growth, Mike believes his biggest contribution was keeping Christ at the center of the organization’s mission. By maintaining a strong spiritual foundation, KCB was able to make a profound difference in the lives of those served by the organization.

As Mike leaves the board, he shares valuable advice for future members. He emphasizes the need to keep the people KCB serves at the forefront of decision-making processes. By prioritizing the community’s needs, the board can ensure they stay true to their purpose and continue making a meaningful impact.

In his parting words, Mike encourages the remaining board members to preserve KCB’s vision and mission by keeping Christ at the center. He urges them to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to think outside the box when seeking innovative solutions. With these principles in mind, he believes that KCB will continue to thrive and positively transform the community.

As Mike concludes his journey on the KCB board, his words of encouragement serve as a reminder of KCB’s core values and the transformative power of service. His commitment to addressing the community’s needs and his unwavering faith in the mission of KCB will undoubtedly inspire future board members to carry the torch forward and make a lasting difference.

Dan paints the ceiling of the newly remodeled kitchen at Margaret’s House.

DAN COPELAND

Dan’s commitment to seeking the Kingdom of God naturally led him to consider the invitation to serve on KCB’s board. He acknowledges the importance of Christian unity and how KCB has been instrumental in bringing together Christians from different churches in their collective efforts to develop and improve the community. Dan mentions his positive experience working alongside the dedicated staff members and contributing to projects, such as the remodeling work at Margaret’s House.

For Dan, the most rewarding aspect of being a board member was the opportunity to interact with Christians from various churches and witness firsthand the effective service provided by KCB to those in need.

Reflecting on the growth of Kingdom Causes Bellflower since joining the board, Dan emphasizes the organization’s continuous maturation in developing a Kingdom vision. He commends KCB for its efforts in mobilizing churches to address community issues collaboratively, thereby fostering unity and shared purpose among Christians.

Looking ahead, Dan believes that KCB should maintain its focus on engaging church leaders and encouraging them to identify ways in which their congregations can collectively serve the community. By fostering collaboration and shared initiatives, KCB can further its impact and address pressing community needs more effectively.

Drawing from his time on the board, Dan offers valuable advice to future board members. He emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and fostering unity among board members beyond formal meetings. By cultivating a sense of unity and purpose, the board can work harmoniously to advance KCB’s mission.

Dan’s message of encouragement to the KCB team and stakeholders is that God is our refuge and strength, rejoicing when His people work together in harmony and passion. With unwavering faith, he assures us that our work is not in vain and that God will continue to bless our efforts.

Dan’s dedication to seeking God’s Kingdom and his belief in the power of Christian unity serve as inspiration to all who continue the important work of KCB. As we move forward, we’ll build upon the lessons learned and the valuable contributions made by individuals like Dan, striving to create a lasting impact in the community we serve.

Click here to learn more about Kindsom Causes Bellflower. 

 

Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles

Where does the food come from?

 

At OBKLA, we prioritize providing healthy and delicious meals to those in need. We only source the finest, freshest ingredients from the market to create our meals. Our culinary team, led by experienced Chefs, carefully curates our menus to ensure optimal nutrition and maximum flavor in every bite. We believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, which is why we go above and beyond to provide only the best to those we serve.

Click here to learn more about Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles. 

Kids and Horses Inc.

Kids & Horses was founded in 1999 by local businessman Sam Waldman and his wife Lorri to enhance the physical and mental well-being of children and adults who suffer from autism, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome and other developmental disabilities. Sam was an early-adopter of utilizing horses as a means for helping individuals with disabilities. They turned their own Double W Ranch in Minden into a center dedicated to helping people with disabilities and quickly attracted the enthusiastic support of friends, family and the community. When Mr. Waldman passed away, Lorri along with a devoted board of directors, staff, volunteers and the families resolved to carry on.

Sam Waldman was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and was a graduate of the NYU School of Finance. He started out in a small accounting firm. He then joined Airco Industrial Gases, where he was employed for 30 years, until he retired in 1991. BOC bought Airco in 1979 and Sam went on to be its comptroller. He spent 10 years in Japan and the Pacific Rim before settling in Incline Village. Waldman was heavily involved in the business life of the area. He was the owner of Bowl Incline, Kings Beach Car Wash and Incline Car Wash and Storage, and a member of numerous community organizations, including the local Citizen Advisory Board and Chamber of Commerce, where he was a past president. Waldman and his wife Lorri, who were married for 41 years, came to Incline Village in 1986, and bought Bowl Incline two years later. He served as an Improvement District trustee for one term in 1995-1998. IVGID Risk Manager Mike Pennacchio said that among his outstanding achievements while a trustee was to take the lead in the District’s strategic plan, the management audit and the reorganization of the District. “He was the main fiscal person on the board,” said Pennacchio. “He had lots of business and financial sense.” 
 
Despite his busy work life, he nevertheless found time for charitable deeds. “Sam was a very rare person,” said long-time friend Doug Brimm, owner of Austin’s Restaurant. “I considered Sam a leader in this town, a man of substance. He not only created lots of jobs and supported the business community, but he cared about people, and devoted a lot of his personal time to helping them. “In my opinion,” he said, “his most recent important achievement was his Kids and Horses program in Minden, at his ranch. I thought it was one of the most wonderful organizations I’ve ever heard of. When we opened a new restaurant in Reno, we had a fundraiser and were able to donate $17,000 to Sam’s program.” Waldman, an avid horseman, patterned Kids and Horses after the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association children’s program. He felt that riding horses helped build the self-confidence of handicapped children and let them experience the freedom of horse riding. He felt strongly enough about it that he started it with his own funds. “What’s more enjoyable than seeing kids and a horse?” he said of the program. “… when you look in the faces of those children who are on top of the horses, they are smiling.” For this work, Waldman was named as 2000’s Humanitarian of the Year by the 30th Annual Community Awards organization in Carson City. Sam Waldman died at age 65 at his home in Incline Village on October 30, 2000, after having been diagnosed the previous August with cancer. – North Lake Tahoe Bonanza, November 2000 photo by Abe Harbatkin.
 

Journey Out

Success stories like Linda’s is just one of the reasons Leo Buscaglia Foundation supported Journey Out in 2020.

LINDA

“I’d be back out ‘there’ if it wasn’t for Journey Out. Washington is my home state, and for years, I was letting myself slip away into a lifestyle I thought was fit for a ‘grown woman’. Little did I know pain, agony, trauma, desperation and helplessness would be the world I introduced myself into. I allowed it to become my reality. Nearly the age of 18, I had already been through two drug treatment centers and a wilderness camp and I thought my world was finally going to turn around. Without truly digging deep into my insecurities and abandonment issues, and not changing my thought process and truly believing in a higher power, I ended up back in the life. I had met a man and fell in love with him. I thought I found a home with him, I thought he loved me, and that I understood why he made me do what he made me do. But when I told him I wanted to stop he got abusive, he never let me go anywhere on my own, he threatened my family. Soon I didn’t care if I lived or died, in fact, I thought dying was better. Until I got on a plane and came to Journey Out I thought dying was the only way out. I probably wouldn’t be alive if not for Journey Out. I think I owe you my life.”

Click here to learn more about Journey Out.

Marcus Foster Education Institute: Mentoring for Academic and Professional Success (MAPS)

MAPS is based on a pilot project developed in 2013 at UC Davis, the Guardian Professions Program (GPP). Initial funding for the project was secured by Davis Campbell, the Chair of the Dean’s Board of Advisors for the UC Davis School of Education and a staunch advocate for foster children and youth. The GPP was supported by the Stuart Foundation, a nonprofit committed to the education and well-being of children, where Mr. Campbell also served on the Board of Trustees. Sylvia Sensiper, PhD, was hired to develop and direct the new project.

From 2013-2017, the GPP worked with students in undergraduate support programs throughout California, as well as former foster youth who had graduated and were already working but wanted to return to graduate school. With assistance from the GPP, over eighty applicants successfully gained admission to advanced degree programs in medicine, academia, dentistry, higher education, counseling, law, social work and public policy, among others. GPP associated students have attended graduate school at public universities across California, at private schools like USC and Stanford, and at out-of-state campuses including the University of Michigan, Midwestern University Dental School, Boston University and Harvard University. 

In 2017, UC Davis re-focused the project’s effort and the GPP became a campus support program solely for former foster youth attending graduate school at the Davis campus. The current GPP supports community activities and provides advising and scholarship funding.

In June of 2020, a group of young professionals who had benefited from the original GPP, began to collaborate on a new organization that would continue the state-wide outreach of the innovative pilot. Today, MAPS (Mentoring for Advanced and Professional Success) works with former foster youth throughout California, assisting undergraduates who are ready to apply to graduate school once they have completed their degree, as well those who are currently working and want to return for an advanced degree.

Click here to learn more about Marcus Foster Education Institute. 

 

Friends of Mark Twain Middle School

Seeds to Plate is committed to Connecting students to nature through outdoor education and encouraging healthy choices in food, life habits, and environmental conservation. 

Our program uses the natural world to give students a hands-on, immersive, innovative learning experience that fosters community and a deeper understanding of their academic subjects.

We accomplish this mission through:.

  • Providing garden-based lessons integrating agriculture, nutrition, and environmental awareness into academic lessons

  • Collaborating with teachers to engage their classes on a weekly basis with these garden-based lessons

  • Providing students the opportunity to learn how to grow and prepare food from the garden during recess, lunch, and after school.

  • Encouraging students to understand their role in the ecosystem through composting, recycling, and upcycling resources, alongside growing, harvesting, and preparing produce.

  • Engaging families in maintaining the garden and learning to prepare garden vegetables in monthly garden workdays.

 

Click here to learn more about Friends of Mark Twain Middle School. 

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