Word from our Best Start Program Coordinator:

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers within and beyond our Best Start Region 3 program! We strive to offer you and your loved ones the necessary resources and knowledge to thrive on a journey filled with love and prosperity. We extend our gratitude to everyone who joined us, both in person and remotely, for our recent Regional Network meeting. As we navigate through the upcoming transition of Best Start, we are committed to working together seamlessly. Don't forget to mark your calendars for our next network meeting on June 25th. Please extend the invitation to fathers and father figures alike, so we can celebrate and honor them together. In addition to celebrating our fathers, we are thrilled to announce that we will also be revealing the recipients of the 'United in Action' Grant at our next meeting!

- Miguel Sanchez

Best Start Program Coordinator

First 5 LA and El Nido Family Centers have focused on integrating and consolidating the leadership of the Region 3 Best Start PCN and NEV communities into one cohesive entity: Best Start San Fernando Valley.

On May 28th, 2024, our Best Start PCN & NEV communities celebrated their unification. Starting in July 2024, we will transition to one monthly regional community network meeting, combining both spaces.

We were delighted to see familiar faces and celebrate our mothers with mariachi music and dinner. Special thanks to El Nido Select Home Visitation, the Alzheimer's Association, and Valley Presbyterian Hospital for their support and resources.

We encourage all community members to sign up for our Best Start SFV membership to stay updated on regional meetings and new developments. Thank you for your patience and support as we unify our communities.

Community Network

June 25, 2024

Communications

July 2, 2024

Alliance United

July 9, 2024

We want to take this moment in our newsletter to honor our partnership with LAEP. Their commitment and dedication have been invaluable, and we are confident that their impactful work will continue to grow. We look forward to future collaborations.

A special shoutout to Best Start North East Valley Program Manager Sandra Mariscal, Outreach Educators Maria Mariscal, Lorena Martinez, and Dolores Marron, Program Specialist Amy Hernandez, and Director of Family Engagement Nancy Villarreal. It has been a pleasure working with you all, and your efforts have uplifted so many families in our community.

Thank you, LAEP team, for your unwavering support in making Best Start an organization where families feel safe, respected, and valued.

-Gloria M. Villagrana-Cruz

Best Start Program Director

March 2024

Grassroots Advocacy

On March 2nd, Best Start San Fernando Valley was in Sacramento to support the Poor People's Campaign in advocating for better living wages, healthcare, housing, education, environmental justice and voting rights directly to our lawmakers at the Sacramento State Capitol.

Community Activism

On March 17th, Best Start SFV participated in the annual Cesar Chavez March in Pacoima. We marched alongside other community organizations, emphasizing the importance of community organizing, advocacy, and collective action for the well-being of our communities.

Learn, Play, Grow Mini Fair 2024

The second Learn, Play, Grow Mini Fair, hosted by Best Start San Fernando Valley on March 16th, was a resounding success, thanks to the enthusiastic participation of our parents. Our Best Start leaders united to craft an engaging and enjoyable experience for families in the San Fernando Valley. The event took place at El Nido's Farmers Market in Pacoima, where we invited 100 families to join us. Each family received $100 farmers market food vouchers to increase access to healthy food. Additionally, we informed attendees about market match opportunities available at the Farmers Market. The day was filled with an array of engaging arts and crafts activities, including rock painting, slime making, playdough, and loteria, all orchestrated by our committed parent leaders and the RSN Team.

We are excited to continue bringing such events to our community soon. If you are interested in collaborating, please reach out to Best Start Coordinator, Miguel Sanchez, at msanchez@elnidofamilycenters.org.

On April 6th, the Discovery Cube hosted a community impact event aimed at cleaning up Hansen Dam Park in honor of Earth Day. Our Best Start leaders were thrilled to join this initiative alongside their children, actively participating in this effort.  It was a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, contribute positively to their community, and teach their children the importance of environmental stewardship.

On April 16th, our PCN & NEV workgroup leaders convened a meeting to exchange updates and devise strategies for upcoming projects. During this session, they were introduced to representatives from the LA City Clerk Department, who provided an informational session on voter registration. As a result, Best Start will be setting up voter registration booths to promote civic engagement within their communities. This initiative aims to empower community members by facilitating their participation in the democratic process.

On April 20th, our dedicated Best Start parent leaders took part in a community cleanup event organized by Casa Esperanza on behalf of Councilwoman Imelda Padilla's office. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience of tidying up their neighborhood in Panorama City, making a tangible difference in their community. What's more, some of their children even earned school credit for their participation.

If you're interested in joining us for similar community events and becoming a Best Start volunteer, please don't hesitate to reach out to Marisela Arellano at marellano@elnidofamilycenters.org.

Thank you Discovery Cube!

On May 4th, El Nido Family Centers and the Best Start San Fernando Valley program were invited to celebrate the Discovery Cube's 10th anniversary. Our parent leaders and staff had a fantastic time celebrating with everyone! Thank you, Discovery Cube, for the invitation!

On May 23rd, 24th, and 25th, our Best Start Members participated in a Youth Mental Health First Aid training facilitated by the Child and Family Guidance Center, certified by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. After completing the three sessions, our parents received certificates for learning how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in children and adolescents aged 12-18. This commitment underscores their dedication to the wellbeing of their children.

Promotora Initiative:



El Nido Best Start San Fernando Valley in Partnership with LA Mission College

On May 30th, our Best Start-Mission College Cohort completed their second course in the Non-Traditional Leadership for Community Engagement pathway! 🎉

These inspiring leaders are well on their way to earning their Certificate of Competency. They recently finished the course “Community Organizing in Civic Engagement.”

We commend our Best Start leaders for their dedication to enhancing their leadership skills for the benefit of their children and families!

Many thanks to Professor Martha Sanchez for once again teaching an outstanding class!

The sponsorships provided by our organization this year are aimed at supporting community organizations dedicated to empowering parents and caregivers of children aged 0-5 within the Best Start Team. We were honored to support Discovery Cube at their 10-year celebration Gala on May 4th, as well as to sponsor the conference of Vison y Compromiso. These sponsorships align with our commitment to funding events that support, inform, and strengthen parents and caregivers within our community.

All funding decisions are made in collaboration with the broader community and the Best Start team. If you are interested in receiving funding for your community event, please reach out to Best Start Director, Gloria M. Villagrana-Cruz, at glazarde@elnidofamilycenters.org.

Happy Birthday, Marta Julia!

We want to take this moment to recognize you and all the amazing work you do for the Best Start San Fernando Valley Program as our Best Start Specialist.

You wear multiple hats from co-leading the Community Network meeting spaces and scheduling numerous meetings to conducting community outreach and creating insightful PowerPoints, and you do it all with a smile!

Your hard work and passion have uplifted countless families and strengthened our community. We are incredibly grateful for everything you do, and we feel so fortunate to have you on our team.

Wishing you a very happy birthday filled with joy and wonderful moments. May this year bring you all the happiness and success you deserve!

🌟 Careers in Sports: Community Health Event

📅 Date: June 21, 2024

🕒 Time: 8:30am - 12:00pm

📍 Location: Las Palmas Park

📝 Event Description: Join us for a half-day health event. Come have fun with a professional sports trainer and learn how to eat healthy on a budget!

📧 Click here to register: Careers In Sports Presents Survey (surveymonkey.com)

🌟 Community Leadership Building Luncheon

📅 Date: June 23, 2024

🕒 Time: 12:00 p.m.

📍 Location: Tia Chucha’s Cultural Center

📝 Event Description:

Join us for an empowering event designed to enhance leadership skills and community engagement. This is the perfect opportunity to learn and grow together.

📧 RSVP Required: info@lababycooperative.org

🌟 Free Baby Expo & Resource Fair

📅 Date: August 1, 2024

🕒 Time: 9:30 am - 12:30pm

📍 Location: Zev Yaroslavsky Family Support Center

📝 Event Description:

The event is FREE and open to the public. Mom & Baby Resources, Fresh Produce, Family Activities, Breast Pumps, Baby Clothes, Diapers, Backpacks, Food.

🌟 Arleta Community Health Fair

📅 Date: August 24, 2024

🕒 Time: 10:00 am - 1:30pm

📍 Location: Walgreens Parking Lot

📝 Event Description:

The event is FREE and open to the public. Free health screenings and educational workshops, family entertainment, community resources, & MORE!