Supporters
Our Partners
We are grateful to all our partners who rose to the challenge and continued their support, notably with trust and flexibility during a very different year. The monetary and in-kind contributions we received enabled us to continue meeting the immediate needs of families and respond to the rising challenges of coping with the pandemic.
Thank you, Danhakl Family Foundation, for coming aboard as a new partner. Your general operating support gave us flexibility that was much needed during the pandemic’s ups and downs. We know that you share our commitment to helping students through the pandemic — and beyond.
Thank you, Kaiser Permanente, for your longtime partnership and continued support, especially of our wellness endeavors. In addition to your direct monetary contributions, the Kaiser Permanente’s Thriving Schools initiative enhanced our Learning Management System (LMS) that helped equip our program staff to be successful in their work with children and families.
Thank you, L.A. Education Recovery Fund, for providing new funding for our expanded Summer Program. Your incredible generosity allowed us to purchase engaging, educational, and fun games and supplies that help close the opportunity gap – during summer and beyond – experienced by our students.
COVID Donations
Thank You TOMS, we are grateful for our partners who made donations of supplies to increase our staff’s capacity to work remotely. A special message from TOMS:
“On behalf of TOMS, we’d like to thank the incredible and hardworking staff at LA’s BEST for all that they’re doing to serve their communities during this crisis. We are so grateful for your commitment to serving others. TOMS is so proud to partner with LA’s BEST and be a small part of the amazing work you’re achieving on a daily basis. Thank you for your commitment to your communities and we hope you stay safe and well during these unprecedented times.” – Natasha D’Agrosa, Former Manager, Global Partnerships & Giving Trips
Thank you, USC Community Outreach for your substantial partnership and for being a first responder in providing vital supplies for program staff members and new funding to outfit the LA’s BEST leadership team with compliant technology to effectively work remotely. USC gave immediate support to ensure LA’s BEST continued being effective in meeting the needs of thousands of children & families we serve together across Los Angeles.
Thank you In A Perfect World Foundation, for your longtime partnership and increase of support this year to provide thousands of students with needed school supplies to continue virtual remote learning through the year.
Alumni
LA’s BEST continues to support students long after they’ve graduated from elementary school.
The LA’s BEST alumni network – LA’s BEST Alumni: Leading LA – helps alumni build their personal and professional network, learn about events and resources, and share their stories. Last year we focused on the internal leadership of the group and now we have 11 dedicated alumni who are champions for LA’s BEST and rallying their peers.
In alignment with LA’s BEST’s commitment to the development of self-confident and motivated learners and active contributors to their classrooms, schools and communities, the theme for this year’s $500 Alumni Scholarship was Community Connections. Thank you to everyone who applied and to the panel of judges.
Winner of the Community Connections Scholarship
Diana Cruz
Virtual Event
Essential Connections
The LA’s BEST family missed being together in person, but we still gathered to rise above the challenge of social isolation by celebrating virtually with LA’s BEST’s Essential Connections and our honorees, ZipRecruiter, Renata Simril, and Raymond Mora. We were honored to have Michaela Pereira, our longtime partner, and anchor of Good Day LA, host the show. She was joined by heartfelt messages from our good friends Mayor Eric Garcetti, Baron Davis, and Elizabeth Banks. The show also included our staff talking about their connections with students and videos highlighting the impact of our honorees’ commitment to our work. Thank you to our partners and to everyone who participated and attended. Special thanks to Mark Flaisher and SuperBrand for helping ensure the show was powerful and seamless. Learn more about this inspiring event and our honorees.
