Annual Report 2022

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD CHAIR MESSAGE

The 2021-2022 school year taught us the power of resilience.

We learned how to navigate learning environments filled with uncertainty – yet we were driven by a strong desire to reconnect and rebuild the physical connections lost during the school shutdown.

While fears about the pandemic dominated our interactions with friends and colleagues, our humanity empowered us to work together and readjust to our new school environment to respond to the needs of students, families, and the community at large with care and compassion.

Upon returning to school, local, State, and National data across the board showed the pandemic disproportionately impacted students of color who are living in poverty. These students received inadequate virtual instruction which was also hindered by limitations in the quality and/or affordability of high speed internet made available in their neighborhoods. We learned quickly that many members of the CISLA community grappled with prolonged grief prompted by the loss of loved ones and economic, emotional, and mental pressures experienced as a result of the pandemic. The effects of these conditions shaped how students returned to campuses, seeking connections that made them feel: that they belong, that people listen to what they have to say, that they fit in, and that they matter at their school.

Recognizing this reality, we scaled up our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programming, parent and family engagement, and volunteer & corporate

partner efforts to meet students’ needs. We stepped up to support the schools we work in to rebuild campus culture and re-engage students,

In the uncertainty, we realized our presence was not just a nice to have but a need inside LAUSD schools. We are proud that our outcomes support the importance of our work.

For the third consecutive year, 100% of the CISLA seniors graduated from high school, and most have plans to attend two and four-year college institutions. We launched the CISLA Alumni Network program to support graduates as they adjust to life after high school!

This year’s annual report highlights the power of individuals and groups whose daily contributions advance the success of our organization. Our work is powered by the students and their families, our fantastic team, Board members, corporate & community partners, and donors.

Our outcomes were further validated in April of 2022 when we received a $2.25 Million donation from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott. We are grateful for her investment which enabled us to accelerate our 5-year strategic plan.

Thank you for being a part of our movement!

In solidarity,

Elmer G. Roldan and Thierry Dubois

ABOUT CISLA

Communities in Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA) is an affiliate of Communities In Schools (CIS), the largest dropout (pushout) prevention nonprofit in the United States.

We use our proven model in 14 schools across the Los Angeles Unified School District to connect students with caring adults and community resources designed to help them succeed.

In partnership with teachers, principals, school staff, and local organizations, we ensure that students – regardless of external challenges – are provided the tools to graduate high school and establish a path to real world success - college, skills and workforce training.

MISSION AND VISION

Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

Our vision is that every student in Los Angeles’ public schools receives the support they need in order to develop emotional, social, and learning skills required to graduate high school ready for meaningful employment or higher education.

INTEGRITY

VALUES

We demonstrate trust, honesty, commitment, and compassion in decision-making and interactions with colleagues, students, and families.

EMPATHY

We seek to break down assumptions, acknowledge the humanity in others, honor differences in thought and experience, and build connections in an authentic and respectful way.

JUSTICE COLLABORATION COMMUNITY

We commit to action in the face of structures which undermine the inherent dignity & rights of all people.

We intentionally create collaborative spaces where everyone is committed to working together towards the same goal.

We recognize the strength in connections and relationships and fosters these by demonstrating compassion, celebrating successes, and building camaraderie.

ACCOUNTABILITY

We hold ourselves accountable to all levels of ownership and responsibility for our behavior, performance, and decisions under clear, transparent, and consistent expectations.

PROVEN MODEL

CISLA’s proven model connects students to caring adults and community resources to address their academic and non-academic needs. Dedicated site teams work in partnership with teachers, principals, school staff, and local organizations to ensure that students have access to tools and resources to properly engage in school and eventually graduate high school and establish a path to real-world success.

TIER I: SCHOOL-WIDE SERVICES

On campuses, our teams jumped in to support schools through the year in transitions back to classes. This year, schoolwide events focused on getting students re-engaged with their campus and on track with academics. This included Attendance Initiatives as well as new creative ways to get students connected with school culture. CISLA partnered with community organizations and partners, parents, and school administrators to bring these programs to life. The school-wide events helped continue to deepen our relationships with communities.

TIER II: TARGETED PROGRAMS

During the pandemic, CISLA’s Tier II programming resonated deeply with students in virtual learning settings, and in 2021, CISLA formalized a rubric for four student groups, including young women, young women, black youth, and English learners, to counteract harmful scripts these learners face within and outside of their learning environments. In Spring 2022, CISLA created a new role, Learning and Development Manager, tasked with leading our teaching and engagement strategy across all schools. This manager has supported all schools in elevating SEL as the primary focus of our Tier II student groups based on students’ SEL assessment results and best practices of the CASEL Framework.

TIER III: INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT

CISLA increased the number of students receiving in-depth case management from the previous year by 19%. Returning to school, CISLA site teams administered standardized needs assessments and worked with students to identify areas of improvement connected to behavior, attendance, and academic assistance. Teams created individualized student support plans that include goals, outcomes, and related activities, including providing basic needs support, college and career preparation, mental health support, and other activities. Over the year, teams integrated our proven model’s six-step process to increase

OUR IMPACT

Despite a challenging year, thanks to the incredible work of our site teams, 100% of seniors graduated from high school. Many of whom are pursuing higher education. We are intentionally unlocking potential, building relationships and breaking down barriers, and students and parents are taking notice!

JAMES

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Mendez High school student, James, is an excellent example of our proven model in action. During his four years with CISLA, James stayed active in our Tier 2 programming, as well as our one-on-one case management to develop his Social Emotional Learning and leadership skills and prepare him for college and career success. The acquired skills served James well in helping him overcome feelings of social isolation, like many students experienced during school closures.

James’s social personality hindered his transition to online learning, and he found learning from home a challenge. He struggled with being away from friends and experiencing the school environment. Working with his site team, James received additional one-on-one support virtually to help him adjust.

Upon returning to school, James implemented the tools he developed while learning from home to make the best of his senior year. He joined Mendez’s Student Run LA Club to train for and run the LA Marathon. Re-engagement coordinator Ricky was his trainer and helped him prepare for and ran alongside him in the marathon!

Ricky said that “James was a committed team player. Always motivating his teammates to finish strong, telling jokes, and never giving up no matter how many miles were left.”

Beyond achieving his goal of completing the 26.2-mile marathon, James explored and excelled in his on-campus activities. He was the senior editor for Mendez High School’s yearbook class and part of the campus’s student policing committee.

James will continue his education at California State University, Los Angeles. He declared pre-engineering and will take film classes to grow his passion for photography. He is excited to make new friends and feels confident that he is prepared to navigate college. He is motivated to make his family proud as a first-generation college student.

WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT CISLA

At the end of each school year, we asked parents to complete a survey to learn more about how we are doing and how we can improve.

Nada al respecto, me gusto mucho su programa y mi hijo le gusta asistir el programa y lo apto mantener sus grados.

John Liechty Middle School parent

I wish my child could have been a part of CISLA in the sixth grade.

Mark Twain Middle School parent

85%

of parents said CISLA helped them feel more connected with school staff

84%

of parents said that CISLA had a major role in their student’s academic success

90%

of parents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with CISLA’s services

WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT CISLA

At the end of each school year, we asked students to complete a survey to learn more about how we are doing and how we can improve.

My favorite thing about CISLA is that they would love to help students stay confident and to stay on track.

6th grade student, John Leichty Middle School

CISLA motivates me to keep doing well when they call me in to make sure I'm doing well and on track.

10th grade student, Hamilton High School

CISLA has helped me feel more confident in school

75%

CISLA has helped me grow more as a person socially and emotionally this year

74% 77%

CISLA has supported me in my academic success through activities such as report card conferencing, individual check-ins

OUR WORK

CISLA students were disproportionately impacted by learning loss, mental health and school safety issues upon returning to campus. Internally, our teams reported more anxiety among elementary students still learning how to behave in school; more misunderstandings among older students escalating more quickly to fights; and various incidents at high schools. These challenges directed our efforts for the year.

Emotional

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING

Our social-emotional student assessments found that 67% of middle and high school students were returning to classrooms ‘offtrack’ in feelings of belonging in school. This meant that two-thirds of students gave low rankings on feelings that they belong, that people pay attention to their ideas, that people listen to what they have to say, that they fit in, that they matter at their school. These results presented an opportunity for us to implement SEL- focused programming to address students’ needs.

85%

“

My favorite part about being a part of CISLA is that I don't feel judged or uncomfortable when addressing certain topics. They make me feel important and support me with anything that I need help with and they're great listeners.

10TH GRADE STUDENT, HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL

ERIC

When Clinton Middle School returned to campus in the Fall of 2021, site coordinator Eric Gray knew from seeing the bustle on campus, speaking with teachers, and connecting with the other CISLA schools that students across LA were experiencing mental health challenges after a year of social isolation. Charged with leading a CISLA Tier II group for mixed-gender students, Eric found a creative way to tap into critical social and emotional (SEL) lessons by sharing something that he was passionate about – Anime and Manga. He called this group Bushido, after the samurai moral code. Eric set the goal of this group to learn how to observe the eight tenets of Bushido (all of which can be aligned with the domains of the CASEL framework): Rectitude, Courage, Mercy, Politeness, Honesty and Sincerity, Honor, Loyalty, and Self-Control. In Bushido, Eric led discussions on life lessons from the anime that the students watched together. He also created an exercise where students would choose pictures of anime or manga characters to represent how they felt that day. He used that as an entry point to discuss their feelings and other issues they may be experiencing.

One day, the usual group of students was hanging out in the CISLA room with him during a Bushido session. As they were chatting, one of the students, Richard, unexpectedly turned to him and asked, “So, which character are you today?” Eric had actually been having a rough week that week. He faced the decision of either putting on a false brave face or being honest and authentic with his students. So he pointed to the picture of the crying anime character and said, “I was crying last week.” Eric didn’t know how the students would react to an adult admitting this. After a moment, Richard chimed in and said, “Sometimes you just need to cry a little,” mirroring the same honesty, vulnerability, and self-awareness that Eric tried to carry in all his interactions with his students. Eric could instantly feel his mood lifted. Suddenly, the tables turned. The Site Coordinator was the one who felt supported by his student!

Eric could remember how Richard was weary about joining CISLA when he was first approached. But when the CISLA team told him about Eric’s Anime group, Richard not only brought his signed permission slip the next day, but also recruited his brother to join. Over the year, Richard and his brother consistently attended the group sessions that Eric led, bonding with the students that became a close-knit group of friends in Bushido. As surprised as Eric was by that moment, Eric was also touched to see that the rest of the group seemed unfazed and unquestioningly accepted this vulnerability and compassion from their CISLA leader and their friend.

PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

This year, we focused our parent and family engagement efforts to meet students and their families’ needs. With nearly a third of our student population comprised of English Language Learners, unhoused, and foster youth, we begin to ask ourselves how we can best serve them? We led workshops (often in Spanish) to help parents and caregivers connect with school programs, navigate pandemic protocols, provided well- being resources including financial literacy classes.

85% 64

# of events held for parents and caregivers

of parents said CISLA helped them feel more connected with school staff

CISLA did a great job supporting me and my son returning back to school

“ ”

Mark Twain Middle School parent

JULIA

PARENT SPOTLIGHT

Julia Ortiz, a fierce and loving single mother of three from Boyle Heights, became involved with our program in 2018 after learning that her eldest daughter, Xochitl, struggled with her behavior and keeping up with her work.

Xochitl’s attitude shift and low grades directly resulted from unfavorable changes in her home life. Julia and her husband had recently divorced, and she and her three children had nowhere to go - forcing the family of four to sleep on the living room floor of her parent’s apartment. The family was spiraling, and with Julia’s consent, we could jump in and provide extra support for her and her two girls attending Mendez High School.

Once aware of Julia’s circumstances, our Mendez site team began routinely checking in with Julia, ensuring she, her children, and even Julia’s parents had food and necessities. Julia recalls the Mendez site team calling her anytime her oldest daughter, Xochitl - who seemed to need the most support during that time - missed homework assignments. We also connected Julia to resources to help her eldest daughter unpack her behavioral challenges and help get her back on track in school.

Julias’ daughters also participated in programming led by Girls Today, Women Tomorrow, a community organization in Boyle Heights. With continued support, Julia saw a significant improvement in her daughters’ grades.

Our support for Julia didn’t stop with our model in school. When the pandemic hit, we provided Julia and her family with food, and basic needs like masks and sanitizer, delivering them right to the family’s doorstep. We also provided financial support for rent and the family’s utility bills, shoes, clothes, and school supplies for her three children.

Present-day, Julia’s daughter, Xochitl, now attends Cal State Los Angeles, and her younger daughter, Citali, attends Cal State Northridge. Her son is also a part of CISLA’s program at Hollenbeck Middle School.

Julia could not have imagined the impact the CISLA model would have on her and her children.

VOLUNTEER AND CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT

Our volunteer and corporate engagement program allows us to enhance students’ learning experiences and provide opportunities to address their academic and non-academic needs. This year, volunteers participated in reading programs, career series, and alternative learning opportunities to expose students to the world around them.

I was a mentor last year in your program. It was a great experience! My student was motivated and really receptive to my input.

VOLUNTEER AND CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS

COLLEGE ESSAY MENTOR PROGRAM

CISLA’s College Essay Mentor Program provides CISLA seniors with the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a mentor to craft their college essays. During October and November, seniors interacted with their mentors virtually, to get the feedback and support they needed to increase their chances of college admission – moving the needle on CISLA’s mission. This year, 11 amazing volunteers worked with 14 seniors from Hamilton High School, Mendez High School, and Santee Education Complex.

HOLIDAY FOOD+GIFT AWAY EVENT

In response to the lasting emotional and financial impacts of the pandemic on students and families, we held our first annual Holiday Food + Gift Away event. We partnered with community organizations to provide gifts and food to help ease the load for families struggling financially during the holiday season . With the help of incredible volunteers and generous donors we gave away 200 bags full of whole chickens, holiday fixings, and popular toys to students and their families.

ALUMNI NETWORK PROGRAM

This year, we launched our Alumni Network Program. The program connects graduating seniors and alums with resources and tools and provides them with one-on-one support opportunities to help them navigate their post-graduate endeavors. With the help of generous donors, we established a scholarship fund for alums enrolled at eligible educational institutions.

50 $11,723

Alumni Served Scholarship Funds Dispersed

OUR ORGANIZATIONWIDE INITIATIVES

This year, we have made significant progress toward our organizational goals. We continued to implement our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts internally, and strengthened our relationships with our partners to advocate for improved student and family outcomes. Our big win of the year was a game-changing financial investment that positions us to grow in key areas within the organization.

| Diversity, Equity,

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) are fundamental values to our affiliate and are critical to the work we do in schools and the larger community we serve. Since 2018, we have made intentional investments to integrate DEI into our work allowing us to break down immediate and systemic barriers burdening our students.

2020

2021 January: CISLA welcomes first Board Chair of color and immigrant, Damián Mazzotta

2022

July: CISLA welcomes first Black Board Chair, Thierry Dubois

CISLA staff committee develop and launch interactive DEI activities and initiatives to align with DEI goals

2018

2019 February: CIS National launches DEI efforts

CISLA staff selected to join CIS National DEI Cohort for a second term

Board engaged in three official professional development opportunities centered around DEI best practices

September: CISLA separates DEI committee to reflect staff and board members to strategically focus on governance and internal and external community efforts.

+5

CISLA strategically shifts to focus on DEI and social justice

CISLA staff selected to join CIS National DEI Cohort

October: Launched first joint Board and Staff DEI Committee

November 18: First Person of Color Executive Director

+5 MEMBER BOARD COMMITTEE

Staff developed DEI Mission Statement and Charter

CISLA presents on DEI efforts at the CIS Student Support Institute

February: Board member, Ama Nyamekye, presents at CIS National Quarterly Board to Board meeting

CISLA DEI staff members invited to attend CIS National DEI Summit in Washington D.C.

CISLA prioritizes DEI in 5 year Strategic Plan

CISLA hires External Affairs Director to strategically align advocacy efforts with direct service work

#CISLAADVOCATES

ADVOCACY

We are committed to being an influential voice for systems change in LAUSD and the educational landscape in Los Angeles. This year we focused our efforts to address digital inequity and provide spaces to engage with the community. Our goal is to inform and influence decision makers to promote policy changes by addressing structure inequities facing low-income students. We are doing this in the following ways:

DIGITAL EQUITY

During the school shut down, CISLA witnessed the limitations of broadband access placed on families across Los Angeles by the major Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The monopolies that ISPs hold in low-income communities deny access to alternative, more affordable internet service providers from servicing these neighborhoods - making internet service options expensive or unreliable. Because of our joint digital equity advocacy efforts, the LA County Board of Supervisors approved a motion that included recommendations to pilot a free community wireless network. The LAUSD Board passed a resolution that allowed LAUSD to pilot a program to provide families broadband access in May of 2022.

LA CITY MAYORAL CANDIDATE FORUM

CISLA was proud to be one of the leading organizations to host the LA City Mayoral Candidate Forum on Education in Spring 2022. The forum focused on critical issues impacting students across Los Angeles, including social-emotional wellness, mental health, housing affordability, digital equity, and economic inequities. Over 100 community members and school leaders engaged in the event. Santee Education Complex senior, Kyla Gant, was asked to represent LAUSD students and talk about her experience returning to school. She eloquently delivered a beautiful testimony about the impacts of the pandemic on student learning, the need for mental health and emotional support, and the role CISLA has played on her education path.

PHILANTHROPIST, MACKENZIE SCOTT, INVESTS $2.25 MILLION INTO CISLA

In February of 2021, we were awarded a $2.25 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

As part of a transformative $133.5 million donation to the Communities In Schools (CIS) Network and National Office, the gift is the most considerable contribution we have received to date. It is proof that our model is validated by others passionate about educational equity.

The global COVID-19 pandemic created extraordinary challenges for our students and families. Experiences

of social isolation, economic crisis, stress, and trauma negatively impacted our student’s academic outcomes and social development. It also further exacerbated the social and economic inequities in the communities we serve long before the pandemic.

Ms. Scott’s investment was the fuel needed to carry out our vision to break down the systemic barriers that stand in the way of opportunity and success for underserved students across Los Angeles. With the investment, we will activate the following...

Invest in staff retention, compensation, and professional development

Grow CISLA’s footprint by expanding to more schools and launching the CISLA summer program

CISLA’s reserves and savings to ensure longterm health and sustainability

Grow

Launch a capital campaign to find a permanent home for CISLA in the communities that we serve

MACKENZIE SCOTT

OUR SUPPORT

We are backed by the support of generous donors, and community and corporate partners who believe in our mission.

PARTNERSHIPS SPOTLIGHT “ ”

CISLA has allowed the Change Reaction to have direct impact on students and their families, by advocating their needs to our donors, we are able to step in and support families directly. We are so grateful for this partnership that allows us to help our neighbors.

The Rose Hills Foundation

In 2021, The Rose Hills Foundation awarded CISLA a $200,000 two-year grant to help us transition from our pandemic emergency relief to the long-term work of recovery for our students and their families. As students returned to the classroom for the 2021-2022 school year, The Rose Hills Foundation’s support enabled our team to address high priorities for students and their families, including parent and family engagement, social-emotional learning, and student re-engagement. We thank The Rose Hills Foundation for their responsive grantmaking and partnership in advancing educational opportunities and success for CISLA students across Los Angeles.

LA Clippers Mentorship Assist Zone Program

The LA Clippers Mentorship Assist Zone program supports local organizations with mentorship recruitment, student incentives, speakers, and cultural experiences. In 2021, we partnered with the program to support our college and career readiness efforts and our Black student support initiatives through our Tier II support programming. CISLA’s middle and high school students were exposed to professional guest speakers working in the sports industry and participated in career panels to gain insight into topics including Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) and its relationship to career development, equipping students with essential skills and awareness to navigate their learning.

The Change Reaction

During the 2021-2002 school year, we expanded our partnership with the powerful giving platform, The Change Reaction. Through our partnership, we established a $25,000 Angel Fund to provide rapid financial and basic need support for CISLA students and their families experiencing hardships. The fund allowed us to promptly respond to CISLA’s student and families most urgent needs – keeping them in their homes, securing transportation to get to work, doctor’s appointments, and other critical spaces. The Angel Fund also provided support to recent alumni in need of support for their first year of college.

Thank You to Our Stakeholders

Kevin Huvane

Audrey Prins/The Jessica Fund

Kasdan Giving Fund

Alex and Joanne Klyce-Levin

Klyce-Levin Family

Michelle Kydd Lee

L8 Greg Lauren

Ellen Levitt

Richard Lovett

Cydney and Gary Mandel

Jiten Mehta

Jess Meyer

Cynthia Mosqueda

Azita Nahai

Laure Neese Malik

Jaime Perez

Yvener Petit

Brenda Potter

Restoration Church

Robert Friedman Revocable Trust

Elmer Roldan

Mitch Rose

Thomas Safran

San Pasqual Fiduciary Trust Company

Philip Sanchez Ahmadou Seck

Sandy Sigal

Jennifer Solomon

Fred Specktor

Jonathan Starks

Thorne Research Yu Tsai

United Way of Greater Los Angeles (UWGLA)

Denise Vasi

Natalie Grof Weiner Amy Weitman

Lori Werderitch

Martin Bowen

Jennifer Bush Cabrera Capital Market

Farrah Louviere Cerf

Joseph Chang

Theresa Chase

Ron Dawson

Carly de Castro

Liz Dean

Floriana Dormio

Joseph Drake

Nikola Filby

David and Lauren Fox

Inalee Haugen

Sarah Hendler

The James Irvine Foundation

Raymond Jimenez

Steaven K. and Judith G. Jones Foundation

Selena Juarez

Deborah Marcus

Tyler McFadden McKinsey

Sheila Morovati

Myers Family Trust Foundation

Alex and Linda Noyer

Ama Nyamekye

Nena Rodrigue

Melissa Rumbold

Toni Sherman

Danielle Tenner

Joshua Touber

Rebecca Vranes

Dottie and Nikki Wagle

Marika Wagle

Michelle Weiner

Zoe Winkler Reinis

Gabrielle Wooden

Jennifer Yale

Andrew Cannava

Xochitl Alicia Cervantes

James Darmody

Jennifer DiGrazia

Daisy Esqueda, M.S.S.W

Elizabeth George

Jody Gerson

Lorne Gertner

Susan Harbert

Karrie Harris-Dawson

Debra and Wes Jarvis and Van Voorhis

Kim Kreuzberger

Erica Kue Virginia Lee

Alejandro Luna

Positive Results Center

Bob Riddle

Armando Salinas

Paola Schenkelberg

Jane and Kenneth Anderson Shelley Berger

Paloma Bilson

Todd and Ruth Black

Carole Kinzel

Vien Le

Bianca Levin

Kim and Kip Levin

Amy Baer

Robert, Hanna, Noah, & Evan Benfield

Shannon Shapiro

Michael Share Kathryn Short Jason Sloane

Wildwood School

Amy and Austin Winsberg

Chelsea Crowder-Luke

Maha Dakhil

Olukoya Davis

Leeann Davis

Melissa Dishell

Marcy Downes

Randi Dressler

Nicole Dunne

Julie and Toby Emmerich

Byrdie Lifson-Pompan

Carrie Lloyd Madeline Low

Marlborough School

Jerome Martin Milinda Martin

Sally McKnight

Charly Michelle

Gail Moore

Macie Sears Scherick

Amir Shahabi

Sheldon Sroloff

Jessica Stone

UK Online Daniel Unger

Emily Usher

Courtenay Valenti

Lele A Andy Abowitz

Laura Abrams

Howard Altman

AmazonSmile

Koko Archibong

Karl and Marsha Austen

Adam Beneschan

Claire Block

Susan Brown

John Campisi

Francine Castanon

Julia Cohn

Jonathan Cole

Dira Creek

Jordin Esserman Katie Fine Fizzness

Marcelia Freeman

Carol and Kevin Gelbard

Gregg Gellman Laura Hopper

Erica Huggins

Deanna Kangas Leah and John Ketcham

Kalia King April Knowles Ann Kono Linda Kopperud Stacy Kramer

Desiree Navarro-Silverman

Lana Negrete David Offer

Jennifer Ollestad Alex Ortega

Sanford Pantich

Wonnie Park

Sunkyung Park

Lydia Pelosi

Julie M. Philips

Erika Portillo

Monica Potter Pamela Robinson Carin Sage Jess Scott

Yami Villanueva Wendy Wang

Chippy Wassung

Jean-Marie White

Ramina Winton

Abby Wolf Weiss Emily Yang YourCause Ida Ziniti

Sonya Bishop

Blackbaud Giving Fund

Olivia Brooks

Arlene Camacho

Elizabeth Dinkel

Luis Dubon

Chris Ebiya

Mary Ann Flinders

Gail Gabler

Lili Geller

Jane Hamilton

Jack LaFrance

Maryam Lieberman

Francisco Lima Kyle Morin

Lyndsey Pepperman

Berta Pitt

Jasmin Pivaral

Sheena Rice

Natalie Socher

Donna Splaine Alexandra Wagle Alexa Whittington Molly Zidow

James Smith & Lisa Tang

Universal Music Group

Waxman Freeman Family Fund

Kathy Weiss

IN-KIND DONATIONS

VOLUNTEERS

Austin Adamson

Misk Al Sultan

Yolanda Almanza

Esme Anane

Zola Anane

Asha Anane

Alexandria Anderson

Ray Auxais

Cara Best

Ama Nyamekye

Olivia Brooks

Lawrence Carroll Joe Chang

Ryan Chang

Amy Christianto

Rebecca Clemmons

Cari Costa

Jane Cowen Hamilton

Ron Dawson

Meredith Dawson Mike Ellis

Wendolly Escobar

Stephanie Flamenco

Marcos Flores

Eder Florian

Samantha Goodman

Jax Gross

Terrance Hale

Geoff Harrower

Nuria Ortiz

Yvener Petit

Jasmin Pivaral

Guadalupe Quinones

Katherine Roldan

Jea Yun Sim

Christy Hobart Selena Juarez

Mary Kallaher

Jeff Kennedy

Mohammed Khan

Virginia Lee

Chris Lee

Damian Mazzotta

Dwayne P. McDowell II

Rishka Mehra

Jiten Mehta

Tania Morales

Cynthia Mosqueda

Ama Nyamekye

Nicole Scates

Cequel Sinada

Ben Starks

Joan Sullivan

Jessica Tang

Jahmal Taylor

Goksu Ugur

Kara Unger

Tori Wechsler

CIBA Foundation

Cari Costa Carol Diaz

Emanuel Hahn Hood Hat USA Los Angeles City Council District 9 Loungefly

Ashlee Margolis

Sony Interactive Entertainment/ PlayStation (Santa Monica Studio)

STATE Bags

Donna Weiss

Whole Foods Market

Johanna Auxais

Stephanie Hernandez

Catherine Hernandez Carolina Herrera

Jay PorterFielf

Claudia Sandoval

Matthew Gerald Shoaf

Kathryn Short Arianna Simonet

Raphael Sisa Kathryn Sisa

Manuel Tucker

Holly Rae Unger

Valerie Vance Graves

Debora Zamora

Stakeholders

Donors and Volunteers

OUR TEAM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Damián Mazzotta, Board Chair

Thierry Dubois, Vice Chair

Donna Weiss, Vice Chair

Yvener Petit, Treasurer

Jennifer DiGrazia, Secretary

Cari Costa

Inara George

Joe Harris

Ray Jimenez

Selena Juarez

Virginia Lee

Dr. Cynthia Mosqueda

Ama Nyamekye

Jeremy Plager

Schellee Rocher

Philip Sanchez

Gary Schoenfeld

Ahmadou Seck

Shannon Shapiro

Mary-Jane Wagle

Lori Werderitch

COLLECTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Elmer G. Roldan, Executive Director

Patricia Oliver, Chief Operations Director

Yami Villanueva, Chief Development Director

Nicholas Wu, Chief Program Director

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Elizabeth Aguilar, Volunteer and Corporate Engagement Manager

Nancy Arias, Program Manager

John Altschul, Data Analyst

Kristin Eaves, Marketing and Communications Manager

Michelle Guevara, Learning and Development Manager

Lillian Hoyos, Program Manager

Malinda Lewis, Alumni Program Manager

Melvin Noriega, Program Manager

Judy Saunders, Data and Evaluations Manager

Paola Schenkelberg, External Affairs Director

Lisa Tang, Grants Manager

Katelyn To, Operations Associate

Sonya Tucker, People Operations Manager

Lauren Wooden, Donor Relations Manager

SITE TEAM

Alondra Acuña, Site Director

Stephen Anglin, Site Coordinator

Danny Cruz, Site Director

Michelle Del Rio, Site Director

Charmeka Dozier, Site Director

Tylyn Fields, Site Director

Guadalupe Flores, Site Director

Jennifer Flores, Site Director

Paula Frenkiel, Site Director

Eric Gray, Site Coordinator

Angela Juarez, Site Director

Ambar Martinez, Site Director

Anthony Martinez, Site Coordinator

Faith Moore, Site Coordinator

Vanessa Lopez-Morales, Site Director

Clara Ortiz, Reengagement Coordinator

Katherine Perez, Site Director

Ricardo Ramirez, Reengagement Coordinator

Claudia Sanchez, Site Coordinator

Darnell Sapps, Site Coordinator

Raphael Trenado, Site Director