About Us
Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) was started in 1989 on a simple premise: Every child deserves a chance.
A chance...
...to play
...to learn
...to explore
...to laugh
...to be safe
...to understand that they can do anything.
Today, HOLA makes that chance a reality for thousands of children each year through its programs in academics, arts & athletics. In an area where kids sometimes seem forgotten, HOLA provides an oasis of safety and encouragement to the children of Los Angeles' inner city. At HOLA children learn that anything is possible.
Who We Are
One of LA's best kept secrets started in a church gym and almost 20 years later has grown into a vibrant community oasis for thousands of inner-city youth. HOLA is a thriving center that serves the Rampart community with programs in academics, arts and athletics.
Our Organization's Mission
HOLA’s Mission: Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) empowers inner city youth to advance their lives and revitalize their communities through enrichment, personal development and leadership programs.
Who We Serve
- HOLA's kids live in the Rampart District, home to some of the most violent gangs in Los Angeles.
- 80% of HOLA's families have household incomes of less than $20,000
- Fewer than half of local students graduate high school.
- Most of HOLA's families are recent immigrants from Latin America, Africa and Asia.
- 85% of HOLA's members are Hispanic.
Our Programs
HOLA offers daytime and after-school enrichment programs that give youth ages 6-18 who live at or below the poverty level viable alternatives to the dangers inherent on the streets around them.
By providing unparalleled arts, academics and athletics programs to more than 1,400 children each year, HOLA gives its youth a chance to succeed.
Upcoming Events
Jessica Biel, co-founder of Make the Difference Network, will be joining us at this year's Holiday of the Heart gala on Wednesday, November 12. For more information see our website at http://heartofla.org/events
Leadership Profile
Tony Brown has been HOLA’s Executive Director since January, 2007. Prior to re-joining HOLA in 2003 as Director of Development, Tony spent several years as a teacher and school administrator, and five years working for the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Tony holds a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Tennessee.
Major Supporters and Sponsors
Ameriquest Mortgage
Annenberg Foundation
Anonymous Foundation
Bank of America Foundation
Bel Air Presbyterian Church
Bingham McCutcheon LLP
BNC Marketing & PR
J. Ben Bourgeois Productions
California Bar Foundation
California Community Foundation
Carol and James Collins Foundation
Children’s Institute, Inc.
Comcast Foundation
Crail Johnson Foundation
Dan Hartman Arts and Music Foundation
Diagnostic Products Corporation
Diller-Von Furstenberg Family Foundation
Dwight Stuart Youth Foundation
Eisner Foundation
Everychild Foundation
Fox Sports en Espanol
Frederick R. Weisman Philanthropic Foundation
Hanover Financial Company
James Irvine Foundation
Jamie & Steve Tisch Family Foundation
JCPenney Afterschool Fund
JPMorganChase Foundation
Justice For Athletes
Kaiser Permanente, Southern California
Kraft Foods
LA84 Foundation
Leo Buscaglia Foundation
Liz Clairborne Foundation
Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation
Los Angeles Times Family Foundation
Mortimer Levitt Foundation, Inc.
Majestic Realty Foundation
NBC/Universal Foundation
Norris Foundation
Norton Family Foundation
Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
RBC USA Foundation
RGK Foundation
Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
Roth Family Foundation
Sosin – Stratton-Petit Foundation
Southwest Airlines Co.
Sterling Foundation
Summa Children's Fund
Target Foundation
The Ahmanson Foundation
The Annenberg Foundation
The Fanny and Svante Knistrom
The Green Foundation
The Mark Hughes Fmaily Foundation
The Rose Hills Foundation
Thelma Pearl Howard Foundation
Time Warner Cable
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.
Union Bank of California
United States Soccer Foundation
United Way of Greater LA
Wasserman Foundation
Weingart Foundation
Wells Fargo Foundation
Whitecap Foundation
Wilmington Trust
W.M. Keck Foundation
| Year Founded : |
1989 |
| 501(c)(3) Ruling Year : |
1993 |
| Full-Time Employees : |
12 |
| Volunteers : |
150 |
| Annual Income : |
$2,100,000 |
| Amount Spent Fundraising : |
$130,000 |
What Sets Us Apart
From private music lessons to one-on-one academic tutoring, HOLA is unique in the quality of the programming that we provide.
Objectives for This Fiscal Year
HOLA is currently in the midst of a $14.7 million “Building for the Future” campaign with two goals: (1) renovating and expanding the Lafayette Park Community Center across the street from HOLA and (2) investing in HOLA’s core programs and organizational infrastructure so that we can successfully manage our rapid growth when the community center reopens in 2009. The campaign will enable HOLA to provide an expanded range of educational and recreational programs to 2,300 inner-city youth.
Recent Accomplishments
In 2008, all 28 of our high school seniors graduated, and each one of them is now attending colleges throughout California and across the country.
