Alliance College-Ready Public Schools Leverages Grant to Help Feed and Support Students
LOS ANGELES, CA, DECEMBER 17, 2024 – For many, especially those in Black and Brown communities, the expectations and commercialism of the holiday season can be undercut by the grim economic realities during this time of year. Many families aren’t able to afford basics like diapers and clothes, let alone stockings filled with toys.
As families struggle to put food on the table, the impact is felt across every aspect of their lives, from health and well-being to their children’s ability to succeed in school. Meanwhile, schools are stepping up as vital lifelines, serving not just as places of learning but as hubs of economic and practical support.
During the 2024-25 school year, all 26 Alliance schools officially became California Community Schools (CCS) with access to their partnership grants. This trauma-informed program allows Alliance to better serve local families with food, clothing, and other essential supplies based on the needs identified by their Community School Coordinator.
“Anyone in the community who shows up for these resources can partake,” said Erin Diaz, Vice President, Scholar, Family, and Community Services. “If there’s a neighborhood food bank, schools aren’t double checking if you’re a parent or a student.” Over half of California parents with young children are struggling with food insecurity, according to RAPID-California Voices Project with 70% struggling to afford basic needs (lafoodbank.org). Alliance families fall in this category with 94% considered low-income and qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
All schools in the Alliance network are open and available during the holidays to help bridge gaps in resources and better meet the needs of scholars, families, and the neighborhoods we serve. “Our schools regularly listen to parents to learn what they need,” said Diaz. “Schools work to create welcoming environments that reflect we’re all in this community together and support one another–that’s just what we do.”
To learn more about the resources available, interested families can contact the Alliance school in their neighborhood and ask for the Community Schools Coordinator to learn about upcoming diaper distributions, free clothes, and toy giveaways.
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About Alliance
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools is one of the largest and most successful nonprofit charter school networks in the nation, operating 26 high-performing, public charter middle and high schools that educate nearly 13,000 scholars from Los Angeles’ most underserved communities.
Alliance schools have been recognized as among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, the U.S. Department of Education, and the California Department of Education. Since opening our first school in 2004, 95% of Alliance scholars have graduated from high school and been accepted to college. We strive to uplift our scholars and their communities by fostering unparalleled educational opportunities that encourage scholarly thought, resilient learning, powerful communication, mind-body wellness, and community advocacy. To learn more, visit www.LAalliance.org.