When it comes to preparing for college, many students already have an idea of what to expect. They’ve rooted for their parents’ alma maters in football games since childhood, visited their older siblings’ dorm rooms, and been told by peers what AP classes they need to take to get into their preferred school. But for many aspiring higher education learners in Los Angeles – those who are first-generation Americans or the first of their families to even consider the possibility of attending college – there is no knowledge pipeline to pull from. No memories from their families to use as [...more...]

Miguel A. Santana, a lifelong Angeleno and self-described “generalist,” has dedicated decades of his life to addressing some of the most critical issues facing Southern California. His career has spanned across sectors – public and private, nonprofit and philanthropy – all in pursuit of advancing social justice, economic equity, and racial equality in Los Angeles.  From responding to the homeless crisis to overseeing financial matters at City Hall to championing infrastructure for arts and culture, Santana’s efforts have touched upon the many significant issues that define the social challenges of Southern California. After running the Weingart Foundation since 2021, Santana [...more...]

Los Angeles is a city of creative dreams and cinematic productions. It’s a place where starry-eyed people flock, and which exports culture-defining stories to the world.  Stories, though, aren’t L.A.’s only export. When it comes to sheer volume and impact, food might be on equal footing. L.A. County is the second-biggest exporter of food in the United States, contributing 6.5 billion pounds to the country’s food system each year, with a crop value of more than $177.5 million. L.A. imports food, too: At seven billion pounds, it’s the third-largest importer in the U.S.  Urban farmer, Ryan, after Sunday Harvest. Yet, [...more...]

“Did you know,” Rabbi Laura Geller asks, “that on average, 10,000 people turn 65 every day in the United States?” As one of the fastest-growing demographics in the country, people 65 and older will outnumber those under 18 for the first time in history by 2035. As one of the first female rabbis ordained in the United States in 1976, Rabbi Geller tackled gender inequality in the synagogues. Now, at 73, and with no signs of slowing down, Rabbi Geller is taking on another systemic foe: ageism. Even though many people are aging and living longer, older people remain, for [...more...]

The benefits of animal companionship are well-documented. According to a 2023 article on HelpGuide.org, by Lawrence Robinson and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., the human-animal bond has powerful, lasting health benefits for humans. Companion animals/pets can lower blood pressure, elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine (which calm and relax), they can lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease), and they can help reduce muscle tension and lower pulse rate. Plus, people with pets are less likely to suffer depression than those without pets.  For decades, research has also shown that child development is best supported by animal connection. For nonprofits [...more...]

One day after school in 2019, Arthur peeked into the library at Watts Learning Center, the elementary school where he […more…]

Scott’s transformational investment in REDF showcases the strength of the employment social enterprise solution for advancing economic inclusion and equity […more…]

James Young, J3 Staff at Watts Learning Center welcomes J3 students as they step into the Cozy Reading Club, a […more…]

The first time Jolonne heard “I Am Every Good Thing” by Derrick Barnes in J3’s Cozy Reading Club, he was […more…]

More than 4,000  Angelenos stroll through Pick Pico’s Street Fair on a sunny spring Sunday.  After a two-year hiatus, Pick […more…]

Summer is here, bringing with it a wave of excitement and a sense of endless possibilities. As the warm sun […more…]

Huge news! Everybody Dance LA’s gala celebration, hosted on June 12 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, was […more…]

J3 Foundation understands the special and powerful relationship between teacher and student.       That’s why this literacy non-profit empowers local […more…]

Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) was honored for its outstanding leadership in addressing women’s homelessness. DWC, along with esteemed partners Angel […more…]

Join us as we celebrate reaching an important milestone in pursuing our mission to transform lives and communities through the […more…]

The Emily Shane Foundation’s mission is to empower underserved, disadvantaged middle school students with the resources they need to thrive […more…]

PUENTE Learning Center’s Groundbreaking Ceremony on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 marked the beginning of construction on its $10 million+ facility […more…]

When author and illustrator Marcus Newsome was a kid, he saw lightning hit a telephone pole. And in a flash, Lightning […more…]

Los Angeles is poised to establish itself as the nation’s capital for green energy and clean technology. The city is […more…]

The Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) is the only organization in Los Angeles exclusively focused on serving and empowering women experiencing […more…]

J3 Foundation and Bark Dogs are two non-profits that have joined forces to help children increase their reading skills and […more…]