30 Years of Love, Hope, and Opportunity: APCH Impact Report

30 YEARS OF LOVE, HOPE, AND OPPORTUNITY

A PLACE CALLED HOME

2022

Cover photo courtesy of Jonathan Zeichner

CONTENT 02

03

04

A LETTER FROM CEO & BOARD CHAIR

INTRODUCTION

SOUTH LOS ANGELES

12

22

31

EXAMINING PURPOSE & IMPACT: POISED FOR THE NEXT ERA OF APCH

STORIES ACROSS THE DECADES

10 APCH: A SAFE HAVEN, A COMMUNITY PARTNER

CHANGING THE WORLD STARTS AT HOME

1

A LETTER FROM THE CEO AND BOARD CHAIR Dear Reader, A Place Called Home is nearly 30 years into its mission of providing love, safety, hope and opportunity for young people growing up in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. And, two years into a global pandemic, our services are needed more than ever to fight the continued hardship Covid has wrought in the South Central neighborhood we serve.

Jonathan Zeichner CEO

As A Place Called Home prepares to enter its fourth decade, we believe it is important to pause, just briefly, and examine how we became the organization we are today and what kind of impact we've made. In addition to this retrospective study and report, we are engaging in a SWOT analysis and an in-depth program evaluation, and together these three introspective and outward facing studies will inform A Place Called Home's intentional evolution so we can bring our services and opportunities to many more children, youth and families.

It has been extremely gratifying to hear from so many stakeholders, including alums and current members, present and former staff and board members and community partners. We are happy and proud to hear about the far reaching transformational and positive impact A Place Called Home has had through the years, and we equally appreciate the critique and the challenges to do better. Our understanding going into conducting this and the other studies was that our most important takeaway would be the conclusions to be drawn regarding priorities and improvements to consider as we head into the next era for our community. How can we build on our accomplishments thus far to meet the changing needs of our constituents and make even more of an impact in the next decade and beyond?

We hope you enjoy the story of A Place Called Home so far and can see yourself in it, whatever your role... even if it is yet to come. A Place Called Home plans to be here and to keep innovating to respond to the needs of many thousands more young people and their families.

Gareth Schweitzer

The rest of the story starts now.

BOARD CHAIR

2

INTRODUCTION A Place Called Home was started as a response to the gang violence, social unrest, poverty-driven adversities, and glaringly poor outcomes that youth were experiencing in South Central Los Angeles in the early 1990’s. A woman with a fearless spirit and commitment to providing a safe haven for the youth of South Central Los Angeles embarked on a journey to create a place where youth could feel safe, loved, and surrounded by people who believed in their humanity and potential. Debrah Constance created “A Place Called Home” – first operating out of a small church, and then, after several moves, landing in a leased 10,000 square foot warehouse on the corner of South Central Ave. and 29th Street. Over the decades, as APCH has grown and matured as an organization and seen its share of challenges and successes, one constant has remained at the core of its DNA: Love. Love has been made tangible at APCH through the expansive opportunities it has provided to nurture the spirits, the talents, the brains, and the intrinsic will to survive and hopes of thousands of youth in South Central Los Angeles and adjacent neighborhoods, many of whom have been disregarded and diminished by traditional systems like law enforcement and schools, and labeled negatively by public perception In July of 2021, we set out as wisdom seekers, intent on creating culturally responsive spaces that consider the values and beliefs of the individuals participating in the study and empower program implementers, funders of those programs, and beneficiaries of APCH programs to gather and tell stories of impact, transformation, challenges and evolution, and learn from our findings. This report distills dozens of stories and surveys about APCH’s impact as seen through the eyes of those who have stood side by side with APCH and each other, championing the belief that a young person’s birth zip code should not define their destiny. Through one-on-one and group interviews from alumni/ae from throughout the decades of APCH’s existence, current and former APCH board members, donors, staff, and with firsthand input from APCH’s founder and the other two APCH’s executive directors – tears were shed, stories were told, and a clear picture emerged of the power of love to change the lives of individuals, families, and a community.

3

SOUTH LOS ANGELES South Los Angeles Neighborhoods

South Los Neighborhoods

Angeles

South Los Angeles is home to approximately 800,000 people according to the U.S. Census Data. It is composed of 28 communities, spans 50 square miles, and is bound by Interstate 10, the Alameda Corridor, Baldwin Hills and the Imperial Highway.

The neighborhood out of which APCH operates is known as “Historic South Central” and includes the area between the Harbor Freeway on the west, Central Avenue on the east, Washington Boulevard on the north, and Vernon Avenue on the south. In the mid 1900’s this pocket of approximately 40 square miles included 70 percent of the Black population of Los Angeles, with restaurants, music venues and nightclubs stretching across the neighborhood. While considered the “West Coast Harlem”, the lack of housing and overcrowding made for poor living conditions that continue today, exacerbated by conflicts with the police, construction of highways through South Central neighborhoods, a drug epidemic, and constant threats to encroachment and displacement of residents by systems of power. In 2003, the city of Los Angeles voted to change the name South Central to South Los Angeles, with many older citizens happy to discard the negative connotations that many associated with the name South Central. The demographics have also changed dramatically, with the emerging Latinization of South Central in the 1980’s that included Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Nicaraguans, Belizeans, and others from Central and South America moving into the area. Today, as South Los Angeles faces further gentrification and displacement, many longtime residents, advocates and younger residents have reclaimed the name South Central and its history of struggle, resistance, and resilience.

4

4

SOUTH LOS ANGELES For the last three decades, South Los Angeles, which includes a neighborhood called, “South Central Los Angeles” that was sanitized and homogenized after the unrest of 1992, into the much larger and more generic “South Los Angeles,” has experienced a complex history which to this day includes conditions that threaten the livelihoods and actual lives of its residents. In particular, Black residents of South Los Angeles have experienced gaps in employment, health, and financial opportunities when compared with other Los Angeles communities, racial oppression, high rates of crime, gang violence, and pervasive economic poverty. APCH sits in Historic South Central, in the 9th Council District, which is the lowest-income district in the City, and has a poverty rate nearly twice that of Los Angeles County (Pastor et al., 2016 pg. 49), with a poverty rate of 34%, compared to 18% for Los Angeles County overall (Pastor et al., 2016 pg. 49).

JUSTICE AND HOPE Throughout the past three decades, however difficult the conditions, APCH has served and worked steadily with the residents of South Central and the broader South Central catchment area to address issues of inequity, social justice, poverty, quality of life, and to elevate opportunities for a better future.

VIOLENCE & POLICE BRUTALITY In 1992, fury over the acquittal of police officers who savagely beat Rodney King – stoked by years of racial and economic inequality in the city – resulted in five days of rioting in Los Angeles and sparked a national conversation about racial and economic disparity and police over-use of force in communities of color, particularly with Black men, that continues today.

5

MAPPING SOUTH CENTRAL THROUGH THE YEARS

BY CENSUS TRACT SHIFTING DEMOGRAPHICS Starting in the 1980’s and accelerating in the mid and late 90’s, South Central has seen a dramatic demographic shift, from a majority of African-Americans to a majority of Latinos. Much of the demographic change was due to an influx of immigrants from Mexico and Central America, and an exodus of Black residents (Sotelo, 2016). The heart of the Black community has progressively shifted westward and southward as the Latino community expanded from the east.

POVERTY According to research conducted by USC’s Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration, South Central is one of the lowest-income areas of Los Angeles County (Pastor et al., 2016 pg. 49), with an overall poverty rate of 34%, compared to 18% for Los Angeles County (Pastor et al., 2016 pg. 49).

HIGH SCHOOL ATTAINMENT Not earning a high school degree can negatively impact an individual's life trajectory by reducing lifetime earnings, increasing chances of living in poverty, and can even lead to negative health outcomes (USC Neighborhood Data for Social Change). In 2019, 58% of adults over 25 years old in Historic South Central – the neighborhood APCH primarily serves – had less than a high school degree, compared to 21% for Los Angeles County (USC Neighborhood Data for Social Change).

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SHIFT IN RACIAL COMPOSITION 1990

2000

2015

WHAT TO NOTICE .

• In the 1990s APCH offered services in areas that were predominantly Black and were increasing in the Hispanic/Latino population. By 2000 and 2015, APCH served areas with a predominantly Hispanic/Latino population.

• Across time, the demographic shift took place mostly on the eastern parts of South Central.

Sources: Data for maps obtained from: 1) Chapple, K., & Thomas, T., and Zuk, M. (2021). Urban Displacement Project website. Berkeley, CA: Urban Displacement Project ; 2) UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge | 1990 and 2000 Decennial Censuses, Brown's University Longitudinal Tract Database, 2011-2015; 3) USC Neighborhood Data for Social Change | Immigrant Population from American Community Survey, 5-year estimates, Table B05001; 4) Takeaways from the transformation of South Los Angeles. (2016, December 6). USC News. https://news.usc.edu/112088/lessons-from-the-transformation-of-south-los-angeles/; 5) South Central/South LA boundary based on the LA Times Mapping Project.

List of South Central/South LA neighborhoods accessed here: http://maps.latimes.com/neighborhoods/region/south-la/

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INDIVIDUAL POVERTY RATE The individual poverty rate represents all individuals whose income level falls below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

1990

2000

2015

WHAT TO NOTICE .

• APCH has historically offered services in areas where individual poverty rates fall between 23% to 51% • From 1990 to 2000, individual poverty rates increased in census tracts surrounding APCH • In 2015, individual poverty rates improved in some South Central neighborhoods, but the individual poverty rates remained 35% to 51% in census tracts surrounding Historic South Central Sources: Data for maps obtained from: 1) Chapple, K., & Thomas, T., and Zuk, M. (2021). Urban Displacement Project website. Berkeley, CA: Urban Displacement Project ; 2) UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge | 1990 and 2000 Decennial Censuses, Brown's University Longitudinal Tract Database, 2011-2015; 3) USC Neighborhood Data for Social Change | Immigrant Population from American Community Survey, 5-year estimates, Table B05001; 4) Takeaways from the transformation of South Los Angeles. (2016, December 6). USC News. https://news.usc.edu/112088/lessons-from-the-transformation-of-south-los-angeles/; 5) South Central/South LA boundary based on the LA Times Mapping Project.

List of South Central/South LA neighborhoods accessed here: http://maps.latimes.com/neighborhoods/region/south-la/

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ADULTS 25 YEARS AND OLDER WITH LESS THAN A HIGH SCHOOL DEGREE 1990

2000

2015

WHAT TO NOTICE .

• APCH has historically offered services in areas where over 62% of the population ages 25 and older have less than a high school degree.

• In 2015, there was an improvement in high school degree attainment, with a less notable change in the census tracts surrounding APCH.

Sources: Data for maps obtained from: 1) Chapple, K., & Thomas, T., and Zuk, M. (2021). Urban Displacement Project website. Berkeley, CA: Urban Displacement Project ; 2) UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge | 1990 and 2000 Decennial Censuses, Brown's University Longitudinal Tract Database, 2011-2015; 3) USC Neighborhood Data for Social Change | Immigrant Population from American Community Survey, 5-year estimates, Table B05001; 4) Takeaways from the transformation of South Los Angeles. (2016, December 6). USC News. https://news.usc.edu/112088/lessons-from-the-transformation-of-south-los-angeles/; 5) South Central/South LA boundary based on the LA Times Mapping Project.

List of South Central/South LA neighborhoods accessed here: http://maps.latimes.com/neighborhoods/region/south-la/

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APCH

A SAFE HAVEN

A COMMUNITY LEADER & PARTNER 1993 2001

DEBRAH CONSTANCE FOUNDER/ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 1993-2001

“APCH STARTED AS A PLACE TO NOT BE KILLED; TO HANG OUT AND JUST SURVIVE UNTIL DINNER WITHOUT BEING GUNNED DOWN.” - BOARD MEMBER

2001 2009

THYONNE GORDON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2001-2008

2009 PRESENT

JONATHAN ZEICHNER CEO 2009-2022

CHIDEYA: With me now are two individuals who have spent years working with youth of all races. Thyonne Gordon is the executive director of A Place Called Home in South Central […] Thyonne, what do you think really lies behind the violence at Jefferson?

Ms. THYONNE GORDON (A Place Called Home): I think a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication lies behind that violence.

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IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY AND GROWING IN REACH AND ACCESSIBILITY 15,000

Youth

75,000

THE EARLY DAYS OF APCH

40

Family members

125,000

CURRENT APCH youth served

1,200

52,000

90

2,000+

sqft. of campus space

meals provided weekly

meals provided weekly

$48,860

$8 million

5

18

operating budget

programs provided

1

operating budget

(March 2020 – December 2021)

9 DAYS TO VIRTUAL

After the pandemic shut down on March 13, 2020, staff pivoted quickly to launch the APCH Virtual Programs Hub on March 27, 2020.

FEEDING BRAINS AND MOUTHS

Over the next 18 months, APCH delivered

700,000 meals to families.

programs provided

76

part-time staff

full-time and part-time staff

3

73

zip codes served

IN TIMES OF CRISIS

900

youth served

sqft. of space as two rooms in a church

Community members served by APCH through the years

zip codes served

UPLIFTING FAMILY NEEDS

APCH provided more than

$300,000

In Direct Assistance to more than 300 families.

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EXAMINING PURPOSE AND IMPACT POISED FOR THE NEXT ERA OF APCH

METHODOLOGY To understand APCH experiences of alumni/ae, staff (leadership), donors and board members, Gray Space, Inc. engaged in 5 months of interviews and focus groups, conducted an alumni/ae survey, and reviewed internal APCH documents from across the three decades of APCH operation. Using a convenience sampling method, APCH staff outreached to potential study participants who then self-selected their preferred methods of sharing their stories (i.e., interview, focus group, or survey completion).

3 focus groups Three focus groups were conducted, two focus groups with alumni/ae and one focus group with APCHs Staff/leadership

9 APCH

leadership /staff interviews Three focus groups were conducted, two focus groups with alumni/ae and one focus group with APCHs Staff/leadership

85 alumni/ae surveys

The survey provided insight on the experiences of Alumni/ae at APCH

review of 25 key documents

A document analysis was conducted to understand APCH from an internal and evolutionary process

7 board member

12 alumni/ae interviews

Interviews were conducted with alumni/ae to gain a deeper understanding of the impact APCH had in their lives

GIS mapping Based on zip codes, maps were created highlighting APCH reach, and the education and income levels of constituents

3

interviews CEO interviews

Past and current Board Members & CEOs were interviewed to understand APCH history, programs, vision, mission of APCH

50,000 ZIP codes analyzed

Eliminated client data with no zip codes; Collapsed/summarized data by zip code & year/time frame; Calculated frequencies for key variables; Reached ≥ 95% reliability for calculating frequencies

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

The Socio-Ecological Model

The Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) recognizes the relationship between the individual and their environment. This approach anchored the APCH study, forcing constant consideration of how the impact has ripple effects on families and communities.

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TIMELINE ERA 1 1993 - 1999

1992 LA Uprising

1993 APCH established APCH ED1: Debrah Constance

1996 APCH moves to current campus on S. Central Ave

1997 Police Reform

ERA 2 2000 - 2009 2001-2009 APCH ED: Thyonne Gordon

South Los Angeles

ERA 3 2010 - PRESENT 2009 APCH CEO: Jonathan Zeichner

2003 APCH acquires new property / significant donor contribution

2016 Teen Center & Theater (The Bridge) opens

2003 Name officially changes from South Central to South Los Angeles

2019 Black Lives Matter, Dreamers

2020 COVID-19 Impact

2002 Start of the APCH Shaheen Scholarship

2000 Census: Latino population outnumbers Black population

“South Los Angeles stands out within the LA region and nationally, for its symbolism in the struggles for racial equality. South LA has been a place of struggle between the racist perceptions outsiders have of the area and the desire for self-determination and equality of residents.” (Sotelo, 2016)

14 1. ED = Executive Director

APCH Geographic Reach Through The Years by Zip Code

1999

2000

90011 90011

The maps to the right capture APCH’s geographic reach and growth over the years.

Darker colors indicate a higher concentration of clients served.

Key takeaways from the maps: • The highest concentration of clients served lived in zip code 90011.

• APCH’s reach expanded beyond South Central to include areas like Downey, South Gate, Lynwood, Hawthorne, Compton, East Los Angeles, Norwalk, Inglewood, the San Gabriel Valley, Lancaster, and Palmdale.

In general, from 1999 to 2021, 90011 was the top zip code where APCH clients resided. Years 2013, 2017, and 2021 showed more diversity in zip codes served. During this time, a substantial number of clients lived in zip codes 90302 (Inglewood), 90037 (Vermont Square) and 90019 (Mid-City).

2010

2020

90011

90011

Sources: Data for maps were obtained from APCH. Map layers were obtained from County of Los Angeles, Esri, HERE, Garmin, SafeGraph, FAO, METI/NASA, USGS, Bureau of Land Management, EPA, NPS.

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APCH Client Demographics Through The Years RACE

AGE

GENDER

55%

1993 – 1993 – 1999 1999

Black 26%

47%

22% Hispanic 73%

15% 8% 0%

female

53% male

5 to 10 11 to 13 14 to 18 19 to 25 Greater than 25

Other 1%

2000 – 2009

47%

Black 29%

44% 56%

26% Hispanic 70%

10%

15%

female

male

1% 5 to 10 11 to 13 14 to 18 19 to 25 Greater than 25

2010 – 2021

Asian1% White 1% Other 1% Black 11%

42%

Hispanic 85%

18%

52% 48%

23% 15%

female

male

2% 5 to 10

11 to 13 14 to 18 19 to 25

Greater than 25

Source: Based on APCH unduplicated client level data for clients residing in Los Angeles County.

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APCH THEORY OF CHANGE INTENTION IMPACT WHEN THE FOLLOWING STAKEHOLDERS…

WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT…

•

Trained and Passionate Staff

• BIPOC Youth (8-24)

•

Volunteers & Mentors

• Opportunity Youth (14-24)

•

Board

•

Donors & Funders

•

Community Partners

•

Schools

• Youth (8-24) facing extreme poverty • Youth (8-24) facing adverse conditions • The Families of those Youth • South Central Community

WITH EXPOSURE AND ACCESS TO PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE…

• Arts • Education • Teen & Young Adult Specific Support • Health (Mental & Physical) and Nutrition • Career and Job Readiness • Community Engagement and Volunteerism

THE YOUTH ARE MORE LIKELY TO LIVE PURPOSEFUL, FULFILLING LIVES, AS EVIDENCED BY…

• Economic Self-Sufficiency & Efficacy • Career Fulfillment & Success • Optimal Mental and Physical Health • Healthy Relationships • Active Civic & Community Engagement • Growth Mindset leading to SelfActualization

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PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS 1993 APCH founded in 1993 by Debrah

Educational Services

Arts & Creative Expression

Tutoring in computers, science and math; Computer Lab

Weekly theater workshops

Health, Nutrition, & Well-Being

Nutrition: Daily healthy snack; Fitness: weekly stretch & fitness classes

Counseling & Case Management

Gang intervention/ prevention

Teen & Young Adult Services

Community Service & Engagement

1996

2000

Move to S. Central Ave. (1996)

Thyonne starts as ED in 2001

Computer Lab

Computer Lab

Theater; Visual Arts ('97); Dance (‘97); Music (‘97)

Nutrition; Fitness

2010 Jonathan starts as CEO in 2009 Computer Lab; Reading Room/ Library (‘03)

2021 Present Day Computer Lab; Reading Room/ Library

Visual Arts; Dance; Music

Visual Arts; Dance; Music; Digital Media/ Arts (‘09); Theater/ Drama

Visual Arts; Dance; Music; Digital Media/ Art; Theater/ Drama

Nutrition; Fitness

Nutrition; Urban Agriculture (‘10) Fitness

Nutrition; Urban Agriculture; Athletics (formally Fitness)

Counseling

Counseling

Counseling (‘97); Counseling; Gang intervention/ prevention Gang intervention/ prevention

Job training & placement; Job training & placement; On Campus HS; Job training & placement; On Campus HS; 1:1 Mentoring; Roundtable discussions/ affinity On campus High School (‘95) 1:1 Community Mentoring (‘98) Support groups (‘05); groups APCH Shaheen Scholarship program (‘03)

Community service & engagement

Community service & engagement

Job/ Career Readiness; On Campus HS; 1:1 Mentoring; Support groups; APCH Shaheen Scholarship; Social Enterprise (‘17); Opportunity Youth Program (‘19)

Community service & engagement

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ABOUT ALUMNI/AE 85

alumni/ae surveys

3

12

focus groups

alumni/ae interviews

ALUMNI/AE SURVEYS In August of 2020, APCH alumni/ae were invited to complete a survey regarding their experiences with APCH and the impact that the organization has had on their lives. A total of 85 alumni/ae responded to the survey, and the results are summarized below:

Race/Ethnicity

Gender

Decade of Involvement

9% Unknown

14%

86%

White

15%

33%

Black/ African American

62%

22%

58%

19932009

2010 – PRESENT

15% Health

High School/ Equivalent

Bachelors Degree

Program Involvement

Top Employment Industry

Education

20%

14%

Latinx

29%

Level of Education

40%

Academic Support, Educational Services, APCH Shaheen Scholarship Participants

30%

Athletics, Nutrition, Teen Services

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EMERGING THEMES FROM ALUMNI/AE INTERVIEWS + FOCUS GROUPS The Gray Space Evaluation Team conducted focus groups and interviews with 13 alumni/ae to better understand their experiences with APCH and the impact their involvement with the organization has had on their lives.

PROGRAM PARTICIPATION What influenced alumni/ae to participate in APCH’s programs? ●

Genuine and caring staff that have historically gone above and beyond to support alumni/ae

●

A safe space to spend time away from trauma and trouble at home and in the community

● ●

THRIVING BEYOND APCH In what ways are the lives of alumni/ae different?

As a result of their participation, alumni/ae are... ●

Volunteering, mentoring, and giving back to their communities

●

Fostering healthy and resilient family systems/relationships

Consistent and individualized emotional, academic, and career supports/resources

●

Breaking intergenerational cycles of trauma by implementing healthy coping mechanisms

New experiences and opportunities including field trips and social outings that foster a sense of community.

●

Thriving academically and professionally in their respective fields and industries

APCH’S IMPACT ON STUDENTS OF COLOR How did APCH’s programs and services address the unique needs of Black/Latinx students?

The unique needs of students of color were addressed by... ●

Creating a safe space where everyone is loved and respected regardless of skin color, race, and/or gang involvement

●

Empowering students to overcome barriers and racial stereotypes by pursuing their goals and dreams 21

STORIES ACROSS THE DECADES In conversations with former youth APCH participants from across the decades, alumni/ae shared stories of risk and resilience, and credit APCH for positively influencing their academic and social skills, as well as their confidence, self-esteem, and sense of hope for bright and successful futures.

“WE OFFER THE KINDS OF OPPORTUNITIES THE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE OFFERED TO THEIR CHILDREN OVER THE YEARS” – Board member

A PLACE TO KICK IT

Chris Martin

In the summer of 1998, Chris Martin was just looking for a “place to kick it.” At nine years old, he took his first music and vocal class at A Place Called Home. His life was changed forever.

APCH was a safe space to go afterschool. He could watch TV, make friends, and go on field trips. Chris feels that APCH was instrumental in keeping him out of gang life. ”As a Black man, this program worked well. It was the difference between being a productive member of society or being likely to join a gang like many in the community. You could be here at APCH kicking it doing positive things or you could be doing many bad things.” APCH provided Chris and others the opportunity to pursue hobbies and build a community in a protected and productive environment.

Chris stayed involved with APCH throughout his childhood, growing in his music and academic skills, and was determined to take advantage of all of the opportunities.

This included a new and transformative “APCH Shaheen Scholarship Program” that supported aspiring college students with tuition, school supplies, and emotional support. Chris voices his support and gratitude for the program, stating ”The (APCH) Shaheen scholarship helped me attend college and helped me with tuition and books. APCH molded me into the person who I am today and has left an imprint not only my academics but also on my musician self. I obtained my first serious music and vocal lessons; I am a serious musician. APCH made me take my craft more seriously, they had serious musicians, people who have become famous have come out of APCH, that’s probably the first studio that introduces kids to singing and recording music.”.

At the age of 21, Chris attended law school and it was a lot tougher than he had expected. Experiencing personal challenges and a rigorous course load, Chris dropped out during his first year. ”When I dropped out of law school the first place I went to was APCH to let them know. Staff were there to give me helpful

“BEING INVOLVED AT APCH WAS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.” helpful advice and encouraged me to go back and finish law school when I was ready. I did, and that is the most important legacy APCH has left on me.”

With the support of APCH, Chris decided to give law school a second chance and in 2011, he was accepted to UC Hastings School of Law. He graduated in 2015, with concentrations in social justice, criminal law, family law and civil law. He is currently representing parents and children in the foster care system and directs the Black Lives Matter legal team for the Los Angeles Chapter. Chris’s passion for advocacy and service is also evident in his personal life, where he volunteers at multiple organizations, including ACPH. ”APCH gave me a desire to be a positive role model and be a guy who made something of himself and be inspiring in some sort of way, to be a positive role model for the kids at APCH.”

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IT’S OK NOT TO BE OK

Guadalupe "Lupe" Rojas

Growing up in South Central was difficult for Lupe and her family. Lupe was a fragile and nervous eight-year-old when she started attending A Place Called Home. She was being bullied at school and wanted a safe place to “hang out”, to get help with her homework, and to provide her with counseling. ”When I started at APCH I was getting bullied. My two older brothers and my family were provided counseling services through APCH, and it changed my family's perspective on mental health. It made me build a better connection with my family, most specifically with my dad because I never had that bond with him.” The counseling she obtained at APCH taught Lupe how to cope with stress, communicate with her family, understand her emotions, and increase her selfefficacy. ”I think that [counseling] really has made my life different in a very positive way. I feel that there's a lot of us in this generation that have mental health problems. APCH lets us know it’s okay to feel, it’s okay not to be okay.”

As an APCH Shaheen Scholarship recipient, Lupe not only received financial support but the skills and confidence to take initiative and get to know people from different neighborhoods and with different lived experiences. “It taught me to be open. For me, it's always been hard to kind of start over and meet new people. Now I'm very outgoing. I like talking so much and can connect with people on different levels. The [APCH] Shaheen scholarship program truly taught me to just go in with an open mind.” ”My brothers were from a gang. When they stepped foot into APCH they didn't like the fact that I was friends with these other gang members. But at APCH we knew that rivalries like that would not be accepted. We were all welcome.”

Spending time at APCH and creating a safe community helped Lupe’s brothers leave the gang life, graduate from high school, and they now have children of their own who are thriving academically and socially. their

“THERE WERE LOTS OF DIFFERENT GANGS IN THE STREETS AND AT APCH. BUT AT APCH IT WAS A FAMILY, REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU CAME FROM, YOU KNOW, THAT’S WHAT WE WERE TAUGHT.” Lupe credits the counseling her entire family received at APCH with making a positive and considerable impact on their lives. ”It just felt like, I was home and it was very emotional for me - they are reason why, like I got [scholarships], and I am where I am today.” , Lupe is currently a Behaviorist Specialist and works with children on the Autism spectrum. She will be graduating in 2022 with her Master’s degree and teaching credential. She currently volunteers at various organizations in her free time. ”APCH proved to us that we can do it, no matter where we come from, because everyone's like, oh, you come from the hood you’re not going to make it out. You know, I am proud I made it out of the hood. This program [APCH] is teaching us and allows us to use our voices and to be heard and to prove to people that no matter where you come from we can make it out.”

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UNCONDITIONAL FOREVER Who could have guessed that a woman teaching yoga in her high school Humanitas class would one day become Monique Edward’s adopted mother?

Monique grew up in South Central, where people had to keep their guards up in the rough neighborhoods and deal with racial and economic profiling. When Debrah Constance, the founder of A Place Called Home, stepped into her classroom, Monique wondered “who is this white lady coming into our neighborhood?”

Not before long, Monique and her friends started hanging out at A Place Called Home (APCH), a safe space that Debrah created to motivate, encourage, and inspire youth to see past gang affiliations and tensions and come together as a community.

Debrah was met with skepticism from community members at first, but over time she earned their trust by actively seeking ways to support the local youth and their families. This included taking in Monique and her brother during their time of need, and eventually adopting them into her family. ”I have a white mom and I have a black Mom. I have a white older brother and nephews and, we [still] stay in touch. We are a family. So the greatest impact that A Place Called Home had on me was exactly that. I got a family out of it.”

APCH became an avenue for Monique to make meaningful changes in her life, and open opportunities for youth in South Central to be able to thrive and have enriching experiences. Eventually, Monique became a staff member who created pivotal programs such as a student council, multiple youth leadership programs, community service programs, and the first scholarship program: The Tommy Walker Scholarship. Knowing that a lot of young people in the program had never been to the beach or the mountains, Monique found ways to expose them to experiences outside of their neighborhoods.

Monique Edwards

“WHEN I TRANSITIONED FROM PARTICIPANT TO STAFF AT APCH, I WAS DETERMINED TO GET KIDS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD OUT OF THE HOOD TO EXPEREINCE SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE TRAUMA IN THEIR LIVES.” When a couple of young members became curious about Africa, Monique sought out opportunities that led them to actually visit Sierra Leone and help build a school.

Monique Edwards is now a Youth Programs Director at Evergreen Goodwill in Washington, offering the same unconditional love and support she received from Debrah and APCH when she was younger.

“AT APCH, THAT UNCONDITIONAL, REAL TRUE LOVE IS A VALUE THAT REALLY STOOD OUT.”

NOT THE PLACE, BUT THE PEOPLE

Gerry Lopez

As a sophomore in high school, attending his music class one day, Gerardo “Gerry” Lopez had no idea how transformational one guest presentation would be. A staff member from A Place Called Home came to the school to talk about a music program, and Jerry decided to give it a try.

He had driven by the APCH building many times thinking “what an odd building.”

It was nondescript and he states ”you would never know all of the great things that happen on the inside.” However, after attending the program more and more, ”you get to the know the people, and you truly realize it’s not about the place but the people inside of the place.”

“THE APCH EXPERIENCES GROUNDED ME AND I REMAIN GRATEFUL FOR THE EXPERIENCE AND INCENTIVIZED TO DO FOR OTHERS. THERE IS THE IDEA THAT YOU ACHIEVE AND THEN GIVE BACK IN SIMILAR WAYS. YOU DON’T HAVE TO GIVE A MILLION DOLLARS. JUST GIVE A BIT OF YOUR TIME.” Gerry had originally planned to just attend the music classes, but over time, as he grew more comfortable, he decided to expand his involvement to other programs.

He shares that there was this staff attitude of “we are here for you. Come and take advantage of all the opportunities offered here at APCH.” Jerry did just that. Over the course of his high school years and into college, he participated in academic readiness programs, internships, and counseling services. Most impactful for his LONG

long-term aspirations was the APCH Shaheen Scholarship program that not only provided financial support for college but also supported the whole person. There were regular check-ins, accountability meetings, professional skill-building opportunities, and constant support. Jerry shares about one of his regular check-in meetings, where an APCH staff member looked him in the eyes: ”I was sitting across from her, and she asked how I was doing. I realized I can’t lie anymore, and everything came out – everything I was dealing with just came out. She walked me over to one of the counselors who could support me.” He states that you sometimes don’t even know what you doing or why you are doing it, but “the payoff comes later.”

Jerry is currently in graduate school. He is no longer a member at APCH but he has continued to stay involved by participating in committees, interviewing potential recipients for the APCH Shaheen Scholarship, and volunteering. He says, ”Being involved with volunteering at APCH continues to be critical in my life. It grounds my sense of self.”

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SECOND CHANCES AND LIFE LONG RELATIONSHIPS

Martha Coleman & Vern Coleman

Martha Coleman & Vern Coleman

“BEING A [YOUTH] OF DARK SKIN, IN THE HOOD, GROWING UP IN SOUTH CENTRAL LA, I WAS DESTINED TO BE A GANG BANGER, BUT APCH KEPT ME AWAY FROM IT.” -Vern Vern Coleman learned about APCH in 1993 through his friends at school. Unlike Martha, Vern was eager to participate in APCH and commuted through five neighborhoods in South LA for a chance to hang out, watch television with friends, and enjoy a safe place. As a young man of color in the early 1990s, Vern was constantly exposed to trouble and felt destined for gang life, but like Martha, APCH changed his life. He was able to complete his high school degree and transcend expectations.

In 1997, Martha Gonzalez sat in her brother’s car and reluctantly made her way to A Place Called Home. As they drove through South LA, Martha reflected on her life.

She had recently been expelled from the public school system and her teachers had given up on her. APCH was her last chance to complete her high school degree.

When Martha and her brother arrived at APCH, she fearfully asked, ”What is this place? I’m not going to survive here. I’m from a whole different neighborhood!

They’re going to kill me by tomorrow!” Her brother gave her an ultimatum and said, “Either you do this [go to APCH] or we’re done. This is your last choice.” Her brother’s tough love forced Martha to begrudgingly join APCH. Her previous negative experiences in school prevented her from trusting in APCH staff, and she constantly questioned the affection and love they showed her. Little did she know that APCH would be her second chance. She would complete her high school degree there, and meet Vern Coleman, her best friend, lifelong partner, and now husband and father of her two young girls.

VERN AND MARTHA AS APCH STAFF

Martha’s and Vern’s journey at APCH began with the counseling and mentoring programs. Martha received extensive services from the counseling program to heal and cope with past trauma. She also participated in the mentoring program, where she received much-needed guidance and structure. Vern eventually served as a mentor to young boys that reminded him of himself.

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SECOND CHANCE (CONT.) Through the support of multiple APCH programs, and in particular, The Alternative Work Center partnership with LAUSD, Martha, and Vern earned their high school degrees. Eventually, they returned to APCH as employees where they supported the organization and the South LA community for years through various roles. Martha started as an assistant to Sister Pat Connor – a primary champion, early staffer, and current board member for APCH, and later became the Director of Outreach and Membership. Similarly, Vern began as an Assistant Coordinator and then became APCH’s Activities Coordinator. They both ran Camp Hope, where they exposed youth from South LA to nature and outdoor activities. Martha and Vern found their work at Camp Hope to be fulfilling and impactful. Vern explains, ”We would take the kids snowboarding, [South LA youth] never saw snow! Growing up in the hood you don’t get to see snow or go to the beach. It was fun being out there with the kids doing our thing … that will stay [with me] forever.”

Martha Coleman & Vern Coleman

“I WOULDN’T BE WHERE I AM NOW IF IT WASN’T FOR APCH. I WOULD BE LOST SOMEWHERE. I’M VERY GRATEFUL TO APCH.” - Martha

Through APCH, Martha and Vern found their second chances at education, life, and love. They created a lifelong bond that has resulted in sixteen years of marriage and two daughters, who now get to enjoy the opportunities and lessons that their parents received from APCH. Reflecting on the impact that APCH had on their lives, Martha proudly says to Vern, ”Look at how far we have come. We survived the streets. We used to get drive-bys at APCH all the time, but we really made it… we have been married for sixteen years, have two daughters, and live in a nice home.”

Now, Martha and Vern live in a California suburb with their two daughters. Martha is a secretary at an elementary school that serves at-risk students from low-income backgrounds. She supports the families and children in a system that once gave up on her. Vern has a successful career in the customer service sector and dedicates his free time to volunteering. The positive impact of APCH continues on to their daughters, to whom they teach the value of giving back, paying it forward, and embracing new life experiences.

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A CLUBHOUSE FOR KIDS IN THE HEART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD Ethan’s mother learned about A Place Called Home after hearing the popular daytime talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, talk about this safe and nurturing place located in the heart of South Central Los Angeles. Both Ethan and his sister started attending, and 19 years later, Ethan continues to be impacted by and have an impact on A Place Called Home, currently serving as the first alumni/ae to be on the Board of Directors of APCH. Ethan shares about the early days of his APCH involvement when it was like a private kid’s club, ”like a safe and fun clubhouse where people could come and hang out and have dinner. They would say ‘here’s dinner so you don’t have to worry about that when you get home.” As the organization grew in capacity and resources, it became more structured with programming that was intentionally focused on addressing the needs of the whole person, from emotional and mental health needs to academic success and college resources. ”It evolved from just being a safe haven where we would all gather in one room, play video games, chit chat, to more structured like you are going to ceramics on Tuesdays, art class on Wednesdays, understanding sustainable gardens on Thursdays ….like that.” In both the less and more structured ways, Ethan shares there was a spirit of care, rich with resources where youth were encouraged to ask for help from people who would listen.”

As a board member, Ethan reflects on how APCH has impacted his life and how it has changed as an organization. He credits APCH for guiding him along his academic and professional journey, now holding a graduate degree in engineering and working as the Chief Operating Officer for a real estate development firm that focuses on intentionally designing and building spaces that promote community: Treehouse. He reflects on the belief APCH staff have always had that youth in the South-Central Los Angeles community are difference makers and can be catalysts for change.

Ethan Smith Ethan Smith

“THERE WAS ALWAYS A PUSH TO ASK, ASK, ASK, AND EVEN IF YOU DON’T GET THE THING YOU ASKED FOR, DON’T BE AFRAID TO DO IT BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHICH DOORS WILL OPEN THAT YOU DON’T EXPECT.”

As a board member now, Ethan feels excited about being in a position where he can continue to help and sustain this “beacon of hope in the heart of the neighborhood.” Among the issues Ethan would like to tackle is helping APCH strike a balance of continuing to be rich in resources and diverse opportunities but also intentional in focusing in on what it does exceptionally well, so it continues to be accessible for youth and not too overwhelming. ”I truly believe in the organization. It got me through difficult times in my life and I am the conglomerate of people who have provided services and participants who have walked through the doors of A Place Called Home.”

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VOICES FROM THE PAST Picture of Alumni

“I realized that I would learn things at APCH that I wouldn’t be able to learn in high school. Not only did I learn music skills but also the professionalism and common practices you need to know to be successful.”

- Tony Rosales

“I met some of the most influential people in my life at APCH. I feel like every truly valuable skill that I learned, I learned at APCH. I had the same email address that I made at APCH, since I was 12. For the pandemic, I made 400 masks for nurses and the community in 2020. I was just remembering what my APCH teacher had taught me about sewing. I haven't touched a machine since I was 14 years old. I still remember, and that just goes to show how interesting it is that even years later, I still use the skills that I learned there.”

- Fernanda Gomez

Picture of Alumni

“Strong values were highlighted, and the one that has stuck with me is accountability because that is something I struggled with and had to develop as my identify was being shaped. I had role models of strong women and learned I shouldn’t shy away from who I am.”

- Maricruz Hernandez “I don’t even know if I was tuned in to what was going on beyond just hanging with my buddies, but they were fostering my personality – who I am. And I felt like it was home no matter what color you are: we were all there for the same reasons.”

- Jared Oluwa

Picture of Alumni

“It was the dance program that attracted me but then I stuck around because there were so many opportunities and being at APCH was shaping and building my identity. I would see black and brown women who were educated and getting their higher degrees. Now in graduate school, when I am nervous to speak, I look back and remember all those people who believed in me, and I know I have to speak up. I got courage from APCH.” - Marylu Bautista

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CHANGING THE WORLD STARTS AT HOME INFORMED BY OUR REACH VALUES

WE ENVISION

WE PROMISE

RESPECT

Healthy self-reliant, motivated, community-minded young adults and healthy family systems.

To hold each other accountable to the sacred pact – that not a day goes by for the rest of our lives when we don’t make an effort and do our part to give our all and to share our hearts.

EMPATHY ACCOUNTABILITY COURAGE HOPE

We look forward to learning and growing into the next thirty years.

Each day, finding ways to do better.

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US. www.apch.org

info@apch.org @apch2830