June 2025 Newsletter

A Letter from our Executive Director

Dear South Central LAMP Community,

While the ICE raids continue to indiscriminately target immigrant communities, particularly the Latino community, I will continue to speak about this topic, to ensure it stays in the forefront. It’s important to use every available resource to ensure everyone understands the effects these raids are having and will continue to have on the targeted communities for years to come.

In the years ahead, the damage caused to these communities by these raids will become much more evident. The trauma inflicted on adults and children will manifest in various ways, whether biologically, emotionally, or psychologically and it’s important to recognize that actions like these don’t just impact those affected at the time, but also generations to come.  

Science, specifically the study of epigenetics, has proven that our genes are changed with traumatic events. In fact, studies show that genes can be changed within one generation due to trauma! The changed genes are now inherited by the next generation; in other words, trauma can be passed down to future generations through genetics. If you’re still interested in this topic, I suggest you investigate studies done on populations affected by trauma. Studies have been done on the children of holocaust survivors, on children of POW’s, and on the Alaskan Native community just to name a few. Along with inheriting trauma that can negatively impact the communities affected by these raids, they also can inherit potentially positive epigenetic changes that are associated with resilience and adaptive responses.

So, for the unforeseeable future, I’m going to use this newsletter as an opportunity to share the stories of those we know, and those we serve, as well as to inform readers on what’s going on in our community. Some stories I will tell on behalf of the storyteller, and some I will let them share through either a translation or in their own words, in English, when possible. We’ll also be adding a short blurb titled Facts About, and it will be on a variety of topics related to the work we do at South Central LAMP, including U.S. Immigration.

Why am I taking this approach? My hope is that together, we continue to fight for justice and respect for all people, not just for this community, but all marginalized communities. That together as a people united, we become the change we wish to see in the world.

With gratitude,

Diana Z. Pinto

Executive Director

************PLEASE READ BELOW FOR SOUTH CENTRAL LAMP UPDATES************

Update from our Executive Director

I’m excited to finally share about a few things we’ve been working on this past school year!



With the support of a consultant afforded to us through a foundation grant, we strived to formalize the work we do using nationally recognized language. South Central LAMP has been providing supportive services, as well parenting and English classes, family advocacy and early education to our community for over 30 years. Through the years we’ve advanced our mission using proven approaches and techniques to provide our services. As national recognition has elevated the subject of trauma, and its influence on emotional and mental health, brain development, physical health and other areas of our lives, it’s clear that it also impacts how we parent.

South Central LAMP has been addressing trauma through our programs for years, though this important work hasn’t always been widely recognized. That’s why, as mentioned earlier, we partnered with a consultant to evaluate our services and help bring this impact to light. Together, we developed clear, compelling narratives that speak to funders, donors, staff, and our community—highlighting how our holistic approach plays a vital role in preventing child abuse and building strong, resilient families for the long term.

I’ve always believed our holistic approach to our programs serves as a preventative measure. At South Central LAMP, our programs—including family advocacy, parenting, ESL, and early education—work together as a powerful form of early intervention. These services significantly reduce the risk of families entering the child welfare system, experiencing homelessness, or facing food insecurity. We’ve seen this impact firsthand, but we knew we needed to prove it using nationally recognized, evidence-based methods.

Our first step was to demonstrate that our work aligns with a well-established model. We chose the Strengthening Families Framework—a research-informed approach that focuses on enhancing family strengths, supporting child development, and preventing abuse and neglect. Grounded in five key protective factors, the framework guides communities, programs, and families to work together. With this as our foundation, we embarked on a yearlong journey to test our hypothesis and validate the effectiveness of our approach.

Now that we know that South Central LAMP’s approach aligns with the Strengthening Families and Protective Factors approach, we are moving towards adding other tools to support our work. In the coming year, we will be focused on becoming a Trauma Informed Care agency.  

While we have been providing programs recognizing trauma as part of our culturally responsive approach, becoming a trauma-informed agency means integrating a trauma-informed perspective across all aspects of the organization. Ensuring all services and support are delivered with an understanding of trauma's impact and potential to re-traumatize. This involves a systemic shift in culture, policies, and practices to prioritize safety, trustworthiness, and empowerment for both those we serve and staff.

This is a step forward towards continuing to provide programs and services that really focus on those we serve. I look forward to keeping you appraised on this endeavor, and I thank you all for supporting the work we do! I hope you are proud to see that as an agency we never stay complacent. I really believe that every time we support a family in the community, we support our community as a whole, but also your community because we are all interconnected and the world is a better place when everyone is healthy and thriving. 

With continued gratitude,

Diana Z. Pinto

Executive Director

Adult Education Program Update

Earlier this month, we celebrated the culmination of our Family Literacy Program—a powerful reflection of resilience and growth. We honored two women who completed all three years of the program, four students who are transitioning onward, and 19 women who advanced to the next program year. Each step forward reflects their courage, consistency, and commitment to building brighter futures. Over the past three years, participants dedicated more than 1,200 hours to ESL, nearly 550 to parenting, 276 to literacy activities, and over 1,800 to early childhood education. These hours represent more than time, they represent transformation.

Change doesn’t only happen in the streets. It happens in classrooms, in conversations, in quiet acts of care, and in the choice to keep showing up. Whether through protest, mutual aid, storytelling, or simply holding space for one another, every act matters. In these hard times, look for the helpers. We are out there. And if you can, be one. Together, we are stronger. Together, we move forward.

Jessie Hernandez

Adult Education and Programs Manager

Early Childhood Education Program Update

Earlier this month, we gathered to celebrate a very special milestone — saying a heartfelt farewell and congratulations to our preschoolers as they prepare for their exciting next chapter in kindergarten!

With a fun and festive safari-themed graduation, the day was full of smiles, laughter, and a true spirit of adventure. Parents, teachers, and loved ones cheered on our little graduates as they crossed the stage, each one beaming with pride and joy. We are so proud of all they have accomplished and can’t wait to see them continue to grow, explore, and thrive in their next educational journey.

Here’s to new beginnings and a roaring good time ahead in kindergarten! 🦁🎓



Ilce Moreno

ECE Site Supervisor and EXPL Coordinator

Unforgettable Adventures at Camp LAMP!

Camp LAMP is one of our favorite weeks of the year!

We kicked off the week with a wild visit from Mike the Reptile Guy! Families got up close and personal with all kinds of cool creatures like turtles, geckos, snakes, tortoises, and even dragons (well, the lizard kind!). The children were thrilled to learn about these amazing animals and even more excited to pet them!

The following day, South Central LAMP was transformed into a splash-tactic Water Park! Laughter filled the air as kids, parents and staff dove into water balloon battles and soaked up the summer fun. The grand finale? A delicious pizza party complete with fresh fruit and juice, the perfect way to refuel after a day of watery chaos!

Our next journey took us to none other than Adventure City in Anaheim. Families hopped on rides like a whimsical carousel, a flying school bus, and a classic train. There was also a petting zoo where they were able to feed and groom baby goats!

And for a magical wrap-up, we explored our creative side at Craft Contemporary! Parents and children, inspired by nature, created art making floral self-portraits and crafting dough infused with essential oils. We toured the museum’s exhibits, diving into the stories and meanings behind each piece. Many thanks to Craft Contemporary's Executive Director, Rody Lopez, and Kate Zankowicz, Director of Education, for this wonderful experience for our families.



What a week of wonder, creativity, laughing and learning! We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Friars Charitable Foundation for their generous sponsorship of Camp LAMP. Their support has made it possible for our children (and their mothers) to enjoy an enriching, joyful week filled with fun and discovery. Thanks to their partnership, Camp LAMP was a welcoming, safe, and exciting space where our campers explored new interests, experienced exciting adventures, and created memories that will last a lifetime. We are deeply grateful to the Friars Charitable Foundation for investing in our families and helping make this summer one to remember!

Essential Item Donations Needed

This summer, many families we serve at South Central LAMP are feeling uneasy and unsafe about going out. We are working on delivering essential items directly to their homes. Donations of toiletries, household supplies and food, provide comfort, dignity, and hope to families facing uncertain times.

To ensure easier distribution, we kindly ask that each item be individually packaged. Below is a list of items that would be especially helpful for the families we serve:

Please Note: South Central LAMP is closed the week of June 30.

Donations are being accepted starting the week of July 7.

Emergency Relief Fund

We have created an Emergency Relief Fund, to help our families stay safe, healthy, and nourished. Every dollar contributed goes directly toward rental and utility assistance, food, and essential supplies—making you a vital part of the support system our community needs right now.

Parent Advisory Board - Passport Project

A passport can help keep families together in an emergency. Through our Passport Project, led by the Parent Advisory Board, a donation of $150 covers the cost of a passport for one child—offering peace of mind and protection when it matters most.

Our Mailing Address

When mailing to South Central LAMP,

please address your letter to:

South Central LAMP

P.O. Box 11336

Los Angeles, CA 90011

Stay Connected with South Central LAMP!

For more information on ways to support South Central LAMP, please contact our

Development Director, Nicole Burcham, at nburcham@southcentrallamp.org,

visit our website, and follow us on social media to learn more about our programs.