“Granting children access to updated libraries isn’t anything we expect thanks for—that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate these precious thank-you cards from the students whose schools we’ve visited with all our hearts. With utmost sincerity, you are all very welcome “

Click here to learn more about Access Books. 

Since 1966, the Salesian Family Youth Center of Los Angeles – located within walking distance of more than 13,000 elementary, middle and high school students – has served the Boyle Heights and City Terrace communities by providing positive after-school activities and low-cost alternative programs for thousands of at-risk and economically disadvantaged youth between the ages of 6 and 18.

Our vision at Salesian Clubs of Los Angeles is to empower and inspire the youth, providing them with quality education, holistic development, and a supportive community. We envision a future where every young person, regardless of their background, can realize their full potential, equipped with the skills, values, and resources needed to become responsible citizens and leaders. Through our programs, we create a vibrant environment that fosters self-esteem, resilience, and a love for learning. Our goal is to break the cycle of poverty and create a society where every child has equal opportunities to thrive, enabling them to become influential change-makers in their own lives and communities.

Click here to learn more about Salesian Family Youth Center.

A sweet thank you from a rider’s parents at Kids and Horses!
“Thank you Nathan, Beth, and Keith for stopping by during the break! We love having Nathan ride with us!
Part of our time is spent taking our youngest to riding therapy, a trip of 168 miles round trip. That happens to also be our closest big town where we shop, so it’s a full day, off early AM and back late PM! But he loves it. Yesterday he got to meet one of the new horses and it looked like a good photo op time! ????
Hubby and I were thinking back to how, not so very long ago, this would have terrified our son! Now, he was having a great time, pushing the horse’s head when he got too inquisitive, pulling him around for better lighting, amazing! A couple of big dogs also showed up while we were there, and Nathan actually petted them! Thank you, Kids & Horses for all you do!”

Click here for more about Kids and Horses.

 

A KITCHEN WITH A MISSION

We Believe…

…Everyone is entitled to a nutritious, tasty, and high-quality meal made with compassion. 

…Food has the power to bring people together within and across communities, nourish those in need, and hold a purpose for those who seek to make a positive impact.

… Individuals have the desire to address food insecurity and are deserving of valuable volunteer opportunities.

…Kind deeds not only enrich the individual who performs them but also have a multiplying effect on improving the world.

 

 

WHAT WE DO

In the last year OBKLA held 235 cooking sessions each producing  300 meals, engaging more than 13,000 volunteers and feeding

70,000 people in need.

OBKLA unites volunteers to cook and package meals for those facing hardship. These meals are then provided to social service organizations for distribution.

Operating from a kosher industrial kitchen, OBKLA prioritizes the dignity of all participants by producing meals of high quality and fostering a joyful environment for volunteers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Annie is a 23 year old woman who was forced into “the Life” by a pimp who she thought was her boyfriend. Prior to her exploitation, Annie was in a Master’s program at a local university. Annie admits she was vulnerable for recruitment because she had led a sheltered life and when she went to school she was unaware of the tactics that pimps and traffickers use to lure young girls into sex trafficking and the world of commercial sexual exploitation. During the course of the relationship with her boyfriend, Annie said he romanced her and then forced her to have sex with others for money using violence and threats. After her escape from the man who was trafficking her, Annie reached out to Journey Out to attend support groups. While connected with Journey Out Annie obtained employment, and the Journey Out Case Manager connected Annie with a therapist in her neighborhood and she now receives therapy on a weekly basis. Annie stated that she was very pleased with the program and she was happy to attend groups where she felt free to talk openly about what she went through while she was being sexually exploited. Annie plans on returning to University for her Master’s degree in the near future.

Click here to learn more about Journey Out. 

Friends of Mark Twain (FOMT) Middle School  – A 501(c)(3) charitable organization

Our specific and primary purposes are to form a permanent organization of parents/guardians, community members, and school staff interested in enhancing and supporting the programs and facilities of Mark Twain Middle School World Languages Magnet & Arts Academy of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD.net).  

We raise and expend funds to achieve our purposes, working in conjunction with the school governance council(s) and administrative personnel in determining the specific projects to be funded.  We cooperate with other organizations engaged in similar endeavors to maximize the programs and benefits to Mark Twain Middle School.  

We strive to present a positive image of Mark Twain Middle School in the community and raise the profile of the school through outreach, publicity, events, and personal interaction.

Members include parents, legal guardians, or other adult family members who represent our voting members.  All administrators, teachers, and staff currently employed at Mark Twain Middle School makeup our non-voting stakeholders.  Non-Voting membership is also open to those stakeholders and organizations who support our purpose and mission.  There are no mandatory annual dues for members of FOMT but voluntary donations are encouraged from all members.”

Click here to learn more about other 2020 recipients.

Our work achieves equity in education through continuous improvement and program design that actualize substantive and measurable improvements.

We envision a world with redesigned educational systems that center equity and accountability in order to truly uplift the health and wealth of the communities they serve.

Equity-Centered, Systems-Focused Continuous Improvement, combined with program design.