Having parents attending college and graduate school helped me in some ways to understand the system, and even so, I couldn't do it on my own. I needed additional guidance and tools. I can only imagine how overwhelming it can be for students who are first-generation college students to find the right resources and support.   

When people migrate to another country, leaving behind everything they know in search of a better life, finding a place that can give them a welcoming hand and connect them with essential resources means everything. That’s what CARECEN has offered to the Pico-Union community for the past 40 years.  The Central American Resource Center, better… continue reading CARECEN commitment to immigrants’ prosperity remains strong for over 40 years

Only a few places in the world have weather like Southern California. It is an ideal place to grow vegetables and fruits all year long. However, not all residents have the space to grow their own produce. Sadly, many residents in L.A. County face food insecurity, and others don’t have access to healthy food. According… continue reading Growing Produce and Food Justice in South L.A.

The Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI), launched by United Way of Greater Los Angeles (UWGLA) in 2021, has proven to be one of the most innovative solutions to L.A.’s leading driver of homelessness: the lack of affordable housing.  To date UWGLA has secured and raised over $170 million in collaboration with Apple, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation,… continue reading UWGLA’s Affordable Housing Initiative Announces the Closing of Fund II Aimed to Transform the Affordable Housing Landscape in Los Angeles

In September, the Los Angeles Urban League hosted a panel series on L.A. County Anti-racism Diversity and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative’s recently released State of Black LA Report to advance L.A.’s Black community. Business, philanthropic, social, and other civic leaders congregated to focus on a solution-oriented future.  But before we dive into the report’s findings and… continue reading The 2023 State of Black L.A. Makes the Case for More Resource-Rich Communities

Last Saturday, over 200 eager community college students and high school seniors came together all with one goal: to find their way to college success.  They dived into learning how to navigate the college transfer process successfully and how to obtain a college degree in 2-3 years by being connected to the essential resources that… continue reading UWGLA Way2Success Helps Students Find a Way to Success

Many people think the best way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month must include tacos, margaritas, and mariachi. While all of that is cool, we think the best way to honor Latinos and their contributions to Los Angeles is by recognizing what this community means to our economy, our culture, and the future we envision for… continue reading Ensuring Latinos Prosperity— That’s How We Honor Hispanic Heritage Month

Remember the feeling of throwing on a brand-new backpack stuffed with fresh notebooks, colored pencils, and that untouched pink eraser you prolonged using? For most of us, it’s one of those small but magical parts of childhood that marks the start of a new school year. Thanks to our partnership between United Way of Greater… continue reading Kicking Off A New School Year Filled with Excitement, and School Supplies

United Way L.A.’s core mission is to make strategic investments that help our neighbors living in crisis while ensuring everyone has the resources and tools to create prosperity for their families and communities. From community college students who struggle to pay for housing or secure their next meal to formerly incarcerated people who need help… continue reading Investing in What Matters The Most

or our unsheltered neighbors, finding shelter goes beyond having a safe place to stay. It can also be where they connect to critical services and programs and begin to heal as part of their journey to a permanent home.