2016-2017 Newsletter
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CHANGING THE WORLD STARTS AT HOME NEWSLETTER REACHING FOR THE FUTURE Like most nonprofit organizations, positive opportunities. stacked against most young people A Place Called Home was conceived Nearly 24 years later, APCH has that grow up here. • to respond to an urgent need. In 1993, grown into a 30,000 square foot Here’s what we’ve come to under- after decades of oppressive poverty, campus (including The Bridge, our stand: responding to need and solving drugs, gangs and violence, South newly opened teen and performing problems is necessary and important, Central was reeling from the explosion arts center!) daily serving hundreds but that’s just where the work starts. 2016-2017 set off by the Rodney King verdicts. of young people from eight years old Preparing, equipping and inspiring People’s futures were going up in the into their mid twenties. Our programs people to break negative cycles, get smoke of burned out storefronts and range from Educational Support and ahead of their problems and find a glowing crack pipes. Public schools Counseling, to Athletics and the Arts. better way to live, that’s what brings were dysfunctional and dangerous and We serve and distribute healthy food about real change. That’s why we they were preparing the young people from our kitchen and three organic build pathways from our front door in the community to do little more gardens; we send nearly 100 youth to to college and good jobs. That’s why than maintain the status quo. Black and college on scholarships each year, and we help young people develop values brown kids were killing each other over we partner with JVS, LA Trade Tech and a sense of importance and re- street numbers and Jordans. and corporate partners to offer voca- sponsibility so they can break negative A Place Called Home was one of tional preparation, training and job cycles and create new legacies. That’s several agencies that sprouted from placement. We engage families and why we are growing to serve more the cracked sidewalks to respond to the community, too- we even help to young people and families and why the immediate needs. Starting with 12 orient LAPD officers newly assigned to we are inviting them to make change teens in a church basement, our mis- the neighborhood. in the world while they make change sion was straightforward: keep kids off Things have gotten better in South in their own lives. the streets and safe from harm, out of Central, but poverty and its impact The best way to reach the future is gangs, feeling loved, and focused on still loom large and the odds are still to create it! WHAT'S INSIDE OUR MISSION Executive Director Message 2 A Place Called Home provides a safe, nurturing environment Programs 3-9 with proven programs in arts, education and wellness Alum Voices 9 for the young people in South Central Los Angeles Community 10 to help them improve their economic conditions and Events 11 develop healthy, fulfilling and purposeful lives. List of Donors 12-14 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE YOUTH VOICES unfinished business in this country needs and aspirations of our around race and class and xenopho- community. THE SUMMER FLING bia, and for that I am grateful. As a na- With your support and participa- tion, it’s important that we face these tion, we remain intent on empower- Summer is me issues directly and continue to assert ing youth of all colors and back- Summer is happy people all around the dignity and rights of all people. grounds and preparing them to step Summer is heat waving Whoever is in the White House, at into the world equipped with empa- to the people. APCH we are moving forward with thy, values and integrity and as lead- Summer is parties and teens growth; strengthening our commit- ers and advocates for “those truths having fun. ment to helping youth access eco- we hold to be self-evident.” Summer is relaxing. nomic opportunity and equity via a There’s a saying, ”If you don’t have Also summer is me in pain. Summer is people going to the new vocation/career training and a seat at the table, you’re probably on hospital because of the placement program, adding a pro- the menu.” At APCH, we want our heat wave. gram to educate, empower and in- youth not only to be at the table, but in Summer is teens getting drunk I am writing this message on the clude youth and parents in the pro- the kitchen creating the recipes and and sick at parties. eve of the U.S. Presidential election. cesses and civics of change in the stirring the pot! Summer is you eating a big tub of By the time you read this newsletter, neighborhood, developing a com- ice cream and crying for days we will have a new president. Let’s munity-based police training initia- Yours in service, because of a breakup. hope she or he is up to the task tive, and opening The Bridge, a new Summer dies when school comes ahead during these volatile times. Teen & Performing Arts space that and it gives back the As difficult and painful as the po- will support our visual and perform- sad new and madness. litical process has been this time ing arts programs and also host a va- around, it has done a service by pull- riety of cultural and community Jonathan Zeichner – Stephanie ing the veil aside on so much of the events, including dialog about the Executive Director APCH STAFF NEWS! APCH is fueled by love, and our Vienna! Alex James, our Athletics beginnings and we are fortunate to be working at APCH please visit our team is full of it! Congratulations to Supervisor will be joining the parent growing and welcoming new staff website and click on our EMPLOYMENT our amazing Dance Coordinator club very soon! New faces bring new and volunteers! If you are interested in page for job opportunities. Jewel Delegall, our new Director of Operations Julie Poulos, and Maria Sosyan, our new Communications and Events Manager on their recent nuptials! In 2015 Melody Hernandez, our H.R. Coordinator, welcomed baby Isla to her family, and following her was Gilbert Radillo, Assoc. Director of Corporate Relations and Community Engagement, who welcomed baby Jewel Delegall Maria Sosyan Melody Hernandez Gilbert Radillo Alex James Come meet the friendly and dedicated staff at APCH. Sign up today to join one of our monthly tours: http://bit.do/APCHTour 2 DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS MESSAGE is many things. APCH is first and fore- Nothing was impossible if we worked most a home – a home base where hard and were kind and generous to- you are embraced, accepted and seen. wards others. I feel privileged to be When you are here, you receive a nu- able to provide to our members a sim- tritious meal and are welcomed by a ilar type of support through our pro- team of attentive and compassionate grams. Every day we have the oppor- staff members and volunteers. You are tunity to fill their wells with messages APCH programs5 and services encouraged to pursue your dreams, of encouragement, so that when they are delivered via and challenged to explore new pos- encounter hardship, pain, heartbreak, five core departments: sibilities. APCH is a home, but it is also they can draw on the firm sense of Educational Services, Joining a new family is a bit like be- a cheering section, a celebration, and self-worth that they developed while Health, Nutrition ing a detective. I felt like I was doing sometimes a retreat. they were here with us. & Well-being, some detective work when I first start- APCH’s spirit reminds me so much Creative Expressions, ed at APCH, investigating, listening, of my parents’ spirits. Despite the hard- Bridge to the Future, and and exploring in order to fully under- ships of raising five daughters on lim- Community Engagement stand the heart and soul of the place. ited means, my parents’ belief in me Christina Sánchez & Volunteerism And what I’ve discovered is that APCH and my siblings never wavered. Director of Programs OUR SUMMER RUNNETH OVER! THANK SUMMER 2016 AT APCH HEAVEN FOR We had an amazing summer at sailing, hiking, camping, horseback are one of the ways we broaden our OUR SUMMER APCH, offering close to ninety field trips! riding, and got to see new parts of our members’ horizons. When we expose Our members went surfing, fishing, city and region along the way. Field trips them to different neighborhoods, new ANGELS! experiences and people, they see Each summer when our daily hours possibilities that they may not have double, we employ up to 25 Summer considered before. We visited museums, Associates to support an amazing concert venues, nature preserves, array of programs, services, field trips farmers markets, and barns for rescued and back-to-school prep. Here’s their animals. And, with the help of some of perspective: our committed corporate partners, we As returning Summer Associates we were able to offer three all-agency field know how crazy summer at APCH can trips to the beach and to Griffith Park, be; crazy as in good, fun, and exciting. where volunteers joined our members Our job was to keep the members safe for activities and fun sports but also to participate and interact in competitions. Thank you Kelton, The all the activities. This gave us the Peninsula Beverly Hills, and Hyland’s! opportunity to see the members enjoy And, every day right here at APCH our new experiences, make new friends, members were creating new and build new things, conquer old fears, original work.