Honor Roll

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Feb 7 2013

More than 75,000 youth and families served

The Girls Club of Los Angeles is a nonprofit agency that meets the needs of underprivileged and at-risk children, youth and their families living in South Los Angeles. The organization is an advocate and community change agent working to provide children, youth and families with the skills to overcome the challenges they face.

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Jan 31 2013

Industry professionals donate time to the cause

The Make A Film Foundation provides an opportunity for young people diagnosed with critical or terminal illness to use the media as a powerful tool for self-expression and communication by creating 5-minute film legacies. Pairing participants with noted directors, writers, actors and producer mentors, Make A Film Foundation provides them with the tools, resources and guidance to reclaim the media and give them a voice.

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Jan 17 2013

Strengthening low-income and vulnerable working families

Founded in 1978 by educator and activist Bea Gold, Pathways was an early leader in promoting child care programs that are inclusive of children with special needs. Today, Pathways is the single largest nonprofit resource for child care and early education services for low-income working families with young children in Los Angeles.

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Jan 10 2013

Program tackles academics, physical education and community service

Urban Scholar Athletes Inc. was founded by Imhotep and Alexis Coleman, parents of public school children who believed that if it takes a village (neighborhood) to raise children, then it takes children to raise a village. Understanding the need for youth leadership in order to make changes in urban “villages” throughout Los Angeles, Imhotep and Alexis created an enrichment program that focuses on developing well-rounded, fully engaged students through accelerated academics, physical fitness/athletics; and service learning opportunities.

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Dec 20 2012

Sports nonprofit teaches new school kids old values

The Falcons Youth and Family Service organization (FYFS) is a natural progression of the Southern California Falcons Youth Football and Cheer Program. In the spring of 2005 Keith and Karen Johnson formed the Southern California Falcons a youth football and cheer organization. The goal of the program was to use sports as a vehicle to introduce and reinforce the concept of strong character, positive values, personal responsibility, social responsibility and academic excellence.

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Dec 13 2012

Organization gears up for holiday celebrations

A Place Called Home is a safe haven in South Central Los Angeles where underserved youth are empowered to take ownership of the quality and direction of their lives through programs in education, arts, and well-being; and are inspired to make a meaningful difference in their community and the world.

The nonprofit provides educational programs, counseling, mentoring, music, dance, art classes and a recreation and athletic department.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.