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About Para Los Niños
Para Los Niños Means "For The Children"
Para Los Niños is a nonprofit family service organization designed to bring children from some of Los Angeles’ most challenging communities out of poverty and onto brighter, more successful futures.
Since opening its first facility in 1980, Para Los Niños has grown to serve more than 5,000 families each year at 24 sites throughout Pico-Union, Central, East, West, and South Los Angeles, South El Monte and Ontario. Every week, more than 3,500 children and youth – ranging from 6 weeks to 21 years of age – enjoy award-winning, positive educational opportunities and much-needed family support.
Para Los Niños was founded so that no child would be forgotten . . .
In October 1979, the Los Angeles Times published an article that galvanized a community. It was the first of many to spotlight the plight of children and families living in the depths of despair in Los Angeles’ inner cities. It spoke of children living in Skid Row, locked in hotel rooms or left alone to wander dangerous neighborhood streets, while their parents worked to survive. At that time, little attention was paid to these forgotten children. Few services and safe havens existed for these young boys and girls. Ninety percent did not attend school.
Within a year of the Times’ article being published, Para Los Niños opened its doors and responded to the need. A former false eyelash factory came to life with the presence of 45 happy children – eager for a chance to learn and to succeed – greatly improving circumstances for those living in Skid Row.
Today, Para Los Niños continues to respond to the ever-growing and ever-changing needs of Southern California’s most challenging communities. The organization’s proven approach helps to build stronger, more stable families and brighter futures for children.
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