For a century, El Nido Family Centers has been a lifeline for Los Angeles, helping more than 11,000 Angelenos annually navigate challenges and build pathways to success. But today, our mission is more urgent than ever. Established in 1925 by the National Council of Jewish Women as a small program providing meals and respite care for undernourished girls, El Nido has grown into a trusted leader in community support, offering over a dozen holistic, wraparound services that empower families at every stage of life.
You’ll find us wherever we’re needed most. We work across Los Angeles County, with current programs focused on high-need communities in South LA and the San Fernando Valley. As Los Angeles evolves, so do we, ensuring our services and programs meet the changing needs of the communities we serve.
A Legacy of Impact
From civil unrest and economic downturns to wildfires and a global pandemic, El Nido has stood with Angelenos through the crises that shape our city. When disaster strikes, we don’t just respond—we step up, ensuring families have the resources, care, and support they need to rebuild.
This year, as Los Angeles faced devastating wildfires, we expanded access to trauma counseling, distributed critical resources, and partnered with the City of Los Angeles to become a key co-location partner at the Impacted Worker & Family Recovery Center in Sylmar—a one-stop hub for recovery services. As one of four centers citywide, our Pacoima FamilySource team established an outpost in Sylmar, where they have been on the front lines—connecting individuals and families to income support, food assistance, job training, small business aid, educational programs, mental health counseling, and more.
When our city calls, El Nido answers—stronger than ever.
Doubling Down on What We Do Best
Now is the time to reinforce the foundation that has supported Angelenos for generations. We don’t just face challenges—we build for the future. That means expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and ensuring El Nido remains a pillar of stability. Through essential programs such as—youth development, counseling, homelessness prevention, and education—we provide families with the tools to create lasting change. We don’t just provide services—we build resilience, ensuring that El Nido and the families we serve continue to thrive for generations to come.
Meeting Basic Needs:
Our FamilySource Centers, in South LA and Pacoima, provide basic needs such as food, clothing, and housing.
Early Childhood:
Our Early Head Start and Select Home Visiting programs help prepare children and their families for school and life.
Education Opportunities:
Since 1992, we’ve awarded 670 scholarships—including 28 in 2024—to help young people achieve their educational goals.
Mental Health:
What originally began as a program to prevent child abuse, has grown into an urgent need across programs and the communities we serve.
Centennial Events
You are invited to honor this milestone with us all year long at a series of special events reflecting on 100 years of impact and community. Stay tuned for new events as we continue to commemorate this year!
Centennial Gala
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Location: Vibiana’s, Los Angeles
Join us for an unforgettable evening of elegance and inspiration. Celebrate 100 years of El Nido’s impact with dinner, entertainment, and stories of transformation.
Emerge Strong – The Centennial Campaign
Emerge Strong: The Centennial Campaign is a critical call to action to ensure El Nido remains a lifeline for Angelenos. For 100 years, we have helped families meet their most basic needs—housing, food, and safety—while also building resilience through healing, educational opportunities from birth on, and fostering strong community ties. As challenges grow, we must go further, ensuring we are prepared for the next crisis, no matter its scale.
This campaign will fortify our core programs, invest in our highly skilled team of professionals, and expand our reach to serve even more families in need. With your support, El Nido and the communities we serve won’t just recover—we will emerge stronger, ready for the next century of impact.
Thank you for standing with us!
Thank You to Our Centennial Supporters
Stories of Resilience
The families we serve demonstrate courage, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to creating better futures. Take Jacqueline’s story:
“My son and my community fuel my passion for service—both have given me so much, and I want to give back. With the unwavering support of my El Nido family, who believe in me every step of the way, I’m on the path to becoming a licensed social worker in California.”
Jacqueline joined El Nido as a teen mother determined to finish school. Through our Teen Family Services and educational resources, she graduated, pursued higher education, and today, with the help of an El Nido scholarship, is on track to earn her Master of Social Work. She also manages a resale shop at Pacoima’s Farmers Market—a project launched by El Nido in 2023 to address food insecurity and foster economic opportunity. Jacqueline’s journey reflects the power of resilience and the lasting impact of El Nido’s programs. With support, guidance, and access to opportunity, young people and families don’t just overcome adversity—they create the building blocks to help fortify themselves for the future.
Contact Us
To learn more, discuss giving options, or make a gift, please contact: Carter Calhoun, Development Director,
at 818-830-3646 or ccalhoun@elnidofamilycenters.org
For media inquiries, please contact:
Carter Ashforth, Communications Manager, at cashforth@elnidofamilycenters.org