Para Los Niños

Results: Founded in 1980, Para Los Niños’ mission has led us to the creation of a range of services spanning the spectrum of nurturing and educational childcare—services tailored to recognize the extreme conditions the families we serve often endure. Programs at PLN encompass every phase of child development, from prenatal education and preschools, to K-8 charter schools and youth workforce services. Children and families are supported through this pipeline with extensive mental health offerings, social service programs, and resources to meet basic needs.

Target demographics: PLN has a 39-year track record of creating effective, culturally appropriate programs for low-income, primarily Spanish-speaking children and their families. Currently, 91% of our clients are Latino and 92% live below the Federal Poverty Level. Approximately 53% of our TK-8th grade students and 79% of our Early Education students are English Learners (ELs), 12% are special education students and 92% qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 6,000 low-income children and parents.

Geographic areas served: Los Angeles

Programs: Early Education
PLN operates six quality Head Start/early education centers leading to kindergarten readiness for approximately 500 low-income children (ages 0-5) across L.A. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Latinos have the lowest preschool participation rates of any major ethnicity. We strive for our students to have better health, socio-emotional, and cognitive outcomes through our Early Education Centers. Our full-day program runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Charter Schools
PLN serves 1,000 students, grades TK-8, at three independent charter schools: Gratts Primary Center (TK-1), Charter Elementary School (TK-5), and Charter Middle School (6-8). Two of our schools, Charter Elementary School and Charter Middle School, are located in Downtown Los Angeles near Skid Row. Gratts is located in the Westlake community and serves neighborhood residents. We offer academics that foster creativity, inquiry, and problem solving. Many of our students have experienced trauma, therefore we integrate on-campus mental health and social service supports for students and their families. In addition, approximately 700 students attend our afterschool programs until 6 p.m. daily, allowing parents to work or attend school while their child is in a safe learning environment.
Student & Community Services
Mental Health Services: As the only children’s mental health provider on Skid Row, we provide evidence-based mental health services to 500 children from low-income families each year. PLN therapists are also on-site at our school campuses to assist our students.
Family Support Services: Each year, we assist some 1,000 families by providing in-home counseling and case management, crisis intervention and help with basic needs.
Youth Workforce Services: We prepare 2,000 youth (ages 14 to 24) for success in post-secondary education and the workforce.
Parent and Community Engagement: We run parent and community engagement programs at each school site, including Senderos (Pathways) and Best Start Metro LA, of which PLN is the lead agency. These programs engage approximately 1,200 parents annually.