Engaged Communities
A Journey of Learning
A Cambodian refugee from Long Beach. A teacher turned grandmother from West Athens. A small business child care provider from Palmdale. A working mom and dad from the San Fernando Valley. Each of them from different backgrounds, but all on a similar journey as Best...
Parents Sound Off on Governor’s Budget
When Michelle Catalan moved from Los Angeles to Orange County, she discovered that the nearby preschool had an impossibly long waiting list for her then 4-year-old daughter, Evana. Nor were there any preschool slots available near her work as a cashier. After a couple...
Heartwarming Stories of Success
A little boy who hates school gains new sight and insight. A mother of a baby girl with Down syndrome is uplifted by caring professionals. A single father learns from others how to be a better parent himself . . . then returns the favor. As a gift to our newsletter...
Community Garden Sprouts, New Housing for Homeless Families
The seeds of a five-year investment to improve access to fresh produce by First 5 LA reached full bloom in late July with the grand opening of Belvedere Community Garden in East Los Angeles – the last of eight community gardens constructed throughout Los Angeles...
Building Stronger Communities: How First 5 LA’s Best Start Program Continues to Grow and Thrive
Building Stronger Communities: How First 5 LA’s Best Start Program Continues to Grow and Thrive In 14 communities throughout Los Angeles County, First 5 LA’s Best Start program brings together parents and caregivers, residents, organizations, businesses, government...
“Baby Shower” Provides Moms with Networking, Resource Opportunities
“Baby Shower” Provides Moms with Networking, Resource OpportunitiesA few rain clouds didn’t keep more than 100 enthusiastic young moms away from attending “A Healthy Start” baby shower on a recent spring day in West Athens.Great Beginnings for Black Babies, Inc., in...
Where Best Start Works
Low birth weight. Low-performing schools. Poverty.When Best Start expanded beyond Metro LA in 2009, these were among the risk factors for young children, along with geographic, racial and ethnic diversity, used to determine which additional communities would become a...
A Dynamic Duo in Broadway-Manchester
While First Lady Michelle Obama’s health and fitness campaign “Let’s Move” is helping focus the spotlight on raising a healthier generation of kids, Priscilla Melendez and G. JoAnn Smith are leading the charge in their Los Angeles community to educate families about...
Building Stronger Families Framework Implementation Funded for up to $4.6 Million
The First 5 LA Commission is allocating up to $4.9 million in funds to begin implementing the Building Stronger Families Framework within its 14 Best Start Communities.The Best Start framework reflects First 5 LA’s belief that if parents are strong and communities...
