: lab-stories

AL MINTURN HUMANITARIAN SITE COORDINATOR AWARD

Staff & Workforce DevelopmentStaff Awards

The Al Minturn Humanitarian Site Coordinator Award recognizes Site Coordinators who promote the health, happiness, and wellbeing of those in the LA’s BEST community.

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CARLA SANGER LEADERSHIP AWARD

Staff & Workforce DevelopmentStaff Awards

The Carla Sanger Leadership Award honors and recognizes an LA’s BEST employee who demonstrates exceptional leadership and visionary qualities.

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REBECCA TURNER MEANINGFUL IMPACT AWARD

Staff & Workforce DevelopmentStaff Awards

This award represents Rebecca's belief that all the staff can make a meaningful impact.

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JUNE SALE COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

We Are Family

June Sale’s unwavering dedication to social justice and the protection of children’s rights serves as an inspiring example to us all.

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“WE DIDN’T HAVE THE INCOME OR TIME FOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.”

Staff & Student Connections

Read how Lizzette and her family benefited from LA's BEST because they didn't have the income or time for extracurricular activities.

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I GAINED VALUABLE LEADERSHIP SKILLS.

Staff & Workforce Development

Mariah Spillers describes the hands-on leadership experience that helped her pursue her career goals.

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“EVERYTHING WE DO AT LA’S BEST HELPS TO PLANT SEEDS.”

Staff & Student Connections

Edith shares the positive impact of hands-on learning through her experience with building gardens and outdoor learning centers alongside students.

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“LA’S BEST FEELS LIKE HOME.”

COVID-19 ResponseStaff & Workforce DevelopmentWe Are Family

Read how Erendida connects to LA’s BEST as both a staff member and as a parent.

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“WE EMPOWER EACH OTHER.”

Staff & Workforce Development

Zach tells us why he relocated his family to work for LA’s BEST.

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“I WAS DEVELOPING AS A PROFESSIONAL AS THE ORGANIZATION WAS EXPANDING.”

Staff & Student ConnectionsStaff & Workforce DevelopmentWe Are Family

Maria tells us how, for 27 years, she has felt supported as a professional and as an individual.

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“I WAS ENCOURAGED TO CHASE MY DREAM.”

Staff & Student ConnectionsSupporting Families

Alumni Justin Zepeda shares how his discovery of football at LA’s BEST earned him a football scholarship to college.

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“I FELT LIKE I HAD A PURPOSE.”

Staff & Student ConnectionsSupporting Families

Alumni Darío Herrera recounts how his time on the Dance & Drill team impacted his childhood and beyond.

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FABI LEADS WITH HER HEART.

Staff & Workforce DevelopmentWe Are Family

A story of kindness, compassion and leadership.

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BRINGING OUR CULTURE TO THE GRAB & GO SITES

COVID-19 ResponseSupporting FamiliesWe Are Family

From “luau day” to handing out stickers, read how George Lee brought a sense of community and joy to the Grab & Go sites.

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“I LEARNED THAT CHILDREN ARE NOT PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED, THEY ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT NEED TO BE DEVELOPED.”

Staff & Student ConnectionsSupporting Families

Read how a student’s love for basketball -- and support from staff member George Lee -- taught him valuable life lessons and helped him succeed in school.

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FROM A SHY BOY TO AN OUTGOING JOURNALIST.

Staff & Student ConnectionsSupporting Families

Alumni Miguel found confidence in his writing skills thanks to his LA's BEST Coach's support. Now, he leads a successful career as a journalist, writer, and producer.

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“GROWING UP IN EAST LA IN THE 90S HAD ITS CHALLENGES.”

Supporting Families

Watch this video of Vanessa talking about memories and lessons learned at LA's BEST, and its impact on her and the community.

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“THE STAFF HELPED FILL IN GAPS IN MY LEARNING.”

Staff & Student ConnectionsSupporting Families

Alumni Mayra shares how she developed her learning skills and stepped out of her comfort zone to become who she is today.

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FROM DISTRIBUTING FOOD IN AFRICA TO DISTRIBUTING FOOD IN LA.

COVID-19 ResponseStaff & Workforce Development

Denise goes from West Africa to West Los Angeles to find herself "in yet another type of war zone".

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“IF I WANT SOMETHING, I CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.”

Staff & Student ConnectionsSupporting Families

How Samantha learned to take the initiative in LA’s BEST.

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