NBC4 and Telemundo 52 Award $200,000 to Three Local South L.A. Nonprofits



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Networks NBC4 Southern California and Telemundo 52 Los Angeles, in partnership with the NBCUniversal Foundation awarded three local nonprofits $200,000 as part of the 21st Century Solutions grant challenge.

The following organizations are this year’s recipients:

  • A Place Called Home was awarded $100,000 for its “Nutrition and Urban Agriculture Program” addressing the lack of affordable and healthy fresh food options in South Los Angeles by engaging the whole family in gardening, meal preparation, nutrition and vocational training.
  • Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley was awarded $50,000 for its “Los Angeles STEM Initiative” created in partnership with East Los Angeles College provides comprehensive training in STEM to Boys & Girls Club staff, which is then taught to thousands of youth members.
  • Clothes The Deal was awarded $50,000 for its “The Disabled Clothing Alterations Program” providing disabled veterans with business attire specifically altered for their physical disability.

Nonprofit Spotlight: A Place Called Home (APCH)



APCH members run in the 2014 Jive Live New Year's Race. | APCH Facebook

APCH members run in the 2014 Jive Live New Year’s Race. | APCH Facebook

Intersection’s Nonprofit Spotlight series profiles South L.A. organizations that are propelling positive change in South L.A.

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A Place Called Home provides children in South L.A. educational programs, counseling and mentorship.  By promoting creative expression and providing specialized tutoring programs, APCH helps builds a bridge towards success for many South L.A. youth. Charyn Harris, who leads APCH’s music programs, answered a survey for us telling us more about the organization’s work.  

What is APCH’s purpose? APCH is a community partner that offers a safe haven to youth daily as well as resources to families.

When was APCH founded? The organization was founded in 1993 by Debrah Constance. It started with 12 youth members in a local church. Many of the youth were trying to escape involvement in the rampant gang activity that existed during that time. Debrah was extremely successful in working with them and many of the original members are now thriving.

Snapshot from APCH Garden Program sponsored by Chipotle | Photo Courtesy of APCH

Snapshot from APCH Garden Program sponsored by Chipotle | Photo Courtesy of APCH

Which areas does APCH serve? The community of South Los Angeles. It is located in Council District 9. [Read more…]

18th annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival



Cuba LA performing at the 18th Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival.

Cuba LA performing at the 18th Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival.

Count on it:  the last weekend of July is the weekend for the Central Avenue Jazz Festival.  This year is the 18th annual festival on Central Avenue, between 42nd and 43rd streets.

This year’s line-up included old favorites like Ernie Andrews and the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, and Latin jazz acts like Cuba LA.

The festival pays tribute to Central Avenue’s historic connection to the Los Angeles jazz scene when musicians like Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington and Billy Holiday stayed at the Dunbar Hotel and jammed at the jazz clubs that dotted the street.

The Dunbar Hotel was renovated and recently opened as a senior living facility.   During this year’s jazz festival, young music act, such as the A Place Called Home music group played in the Dunbar’s courtyard. [Read more…]

South LA kids get free bikes



imageA group of 42 lucky teens got free bikes and helmets and a lesson on cycling safety during a special event held on Monday afternoon in South LA.

The non-profit organization A Place Called Home and employees from United Health Care partnered up for the bicycle giveaway.

The 42 bikes were donated as part of an effort to fight obesity and promote healthier lifestyles by engaging youths in daily exercise and proper nutrition.

imageProfessional cyclist Chris Jones, who’s part of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, played basketball with some of the kids and shared training and nutrition tips with the youths.

The teens were selected for the bikes because they’re involved in A Place Called Home programs.

A Place Called Home is a non-profit in South Central Los Angeles that offers a safe haven for underserved youth with the objective of helping them find direction in their lives through programs in education, arts, and well-being.

Hoofing it at A Place Called Home



What does Black History Month sound like? At the youth services non-profit A Place Called Home in South Central Los Angeles, it sounds something like the tapping feet of kids. Every Friday in February, girls ages eight to thirteen show up and learn to hoof. Looking out at them are tap masters Gregory Hines and Savion Glover, whose magazine pictures hang on the wall.

Dance Coordinator Jewel Delegall, who holds the workshop, has a long history with tap. It was the first job she ever had. She worked on the film tap when she was 14. Her dance department also offers classes in Afro-Samba, ballet, jazz, yoga, hip-hop, capoeira and hula each week day afternoon from four to six thirty.

image“Hoofing is a little more old school, more organic,” she says. “The street versus the stage. For example, even though Greg Hines was a show tapper, in the sense of he was the celebrity, he really was organically a hoofer. The piece that I showed them was a piece that I had learned from Henry LeTang, who is one of the original choreographers and a hoofer.”

A Place Called Home is located on the corner of South Central Avenue and 29th Street. It’s a safe haven for kids to play and learn after school and in the summer.

This week, Delegall is teaching something a little more traditional, like you might see on Broadway. “Tap was my first love. And I just love tap,” she says.

Next month, her A Place Called Home dancers will be performing at Nokia Theatre.