Making of a Mural: This touching mini-documentary about the development of Best Start Metro LA’s Mobile Mural. The mural is a visual representation of Metro's community-driven Culture of Respect Campaign, an ongoing campaign aimed at reducing family violence. Bridging...
When her father is deported, a girl in Watts must care for her young siblings so her mother can go to work. An undocumented mother is afraid to report an attempted rape to police after dropping her child off at school in Southeast Los Angeles. In El Monte, a woman...
Most cute baby pictures prompt a smile. And then there is the baby picture that causes Juana Fernandez to cringe. “There is actually a picture of me when I was a little baby holding a baby pin that I put through the electrical socket,” Fernandez recalled. “To my...
A Cambodian refugee from Long Beach. A teacher turned grandmother from West Athens. A small business child care provider from Palmdale. A working mom and dad from the San Fernando Valley. Each of them from different backgrounds, but all on a similar journey as Best...
“We’re here to talk about the children.” Spoken by a small, bespectacled grandmother by the name of Zonia Sanchez, these seven words reached across the desk and grabbed the ear of the Lancaster lawmaker seated beneath the California State flag. As Assemblyman Tom...
These Commission Summaries are intended to provide highlights of the First 5 LA Board of Commissioners’ actions to advance the outcome areas of First 5 LA’s 2015-2020 Strategic Plan. At the May 11 Commission meeting, highlights include approval of the Best Start...
Elevating the voice of the community to help create change to benefit kids and their families is the core work being done in Best Start communities. As we look toward the New Year, we invite you to view this video highlighting the accomplishments across all 14 Best...
When Michelle Catalan moved from Los Angeles to Orange County, she discovered that the nearby preschool had an impossibly long waiting list for her then 4-year-old daughter, Evana. Nor were there any preschool slots available near her work as a cashier. After a couple...
A little boy who hates school gains new sight and insight. A mother of a baby girl with Down syndrome is uplifted by caring professionals. A single father learns from others how to be a better parent himself . . . then returns the favor. As a gift to our newsletter...
Sometimes, you just need to say “Thank You” . . . dozens and dozens of times.The 2nd Annual Best Start Leadership Appreciation event welcomed – and expressed gratitude to – close to 200 participants at the Los Angeles County Arboretum on December 10.The focus of the...
