In South Los Angeles, A Place Called Home (APCH) provides free arts, academics and wellness programs to more than 20,000 young people.
Entering its fourth decade under Chief Executive Norayma Cabot, the Central Alameda-based nonprofit offers expanded support programs as demand for after-school safety nets rises.
Founded in 1993 in response to the civil unrest in the city, the nonprofit points to strong outcomes. About two-thirds of APCH high school graduates are accepted into college or university programs. Nearly all are first-generation college students, and the program reduces the likelihood of involvement in the juvenile justice system.
Beyond after-school hours, APCH focuses its services on families: daily meals, counseling, college and career advising, and emergency assistance when rent or utilities threaten stability. Employees track the students’ attendance, grades and wellness. The aim is straightforward: keep kids safe, learning and moving steadily toward college graduation.
Later this month, the organization will celebrate with a gala at the Fairmont Century Hotel. It’s part of an effort to remind donors that amid all the political and environmental upheaval, long-term, systemic issues still remain.
“We’re not a national or a global organization; we’re competing with any new catastrophe happening in the community,” said Cabot. “We did have some partners who told us they’re focusing funds on fire relief. We understand those things are important, but we’re addressing systemic issues.”
Balancing act
Cabot noted that when donor dollars pivot to new causes, smaller nonprofits are forced to either adapt quickly or to maintain core services with fewer resources.
Advocates note that public dollars are receding just as need grows. The Trump Administration has proposed eliminating the $1.3 billion federal after-school program serving 1.4 million students, while more than half of providers report waitlists and only 18% of those organizations could tap expiring relief funds.
“Philanthropy has a very unique role to play in ensuring that critical social services and supports like youth development, remain accessible to as many people as possible,” said Cabot. “Right now, the government is not providing the support and resources that they have historically made possible.”
In South L.A., predictable funding can be the difference between a teen finding a safe space after school or going without. Philanthropy has helped APCH hold the line – but Cabot said scaling impact now hinges on cross-sector partnership.
“I think there’s the opportunity for a stronger partnership now more than ever between nonprofits, private donors and corporations to come together and address the needs in the community. We’ve got a couple years to navigate and it’s going to take all of us coming together to be able to address the long-standing needs of communities.”
