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Northeast Valley Best Start Community Grants 2023

Six community organizations in the San Fernando Valley received grants to support community-selected projects that meet community-identified needs.

In August, the Northeast Valley (NEV) Best Start Community – facilitated by Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP) – and El Nido Family Centers hosted a Best Start San Fernando Valley “United in Action” Grant ceremony at Las Palmas Park to award 2023-2024 participatory budget project (PBP) grants.

Through the participatory budget process, LAEP and El Nido work with community members to identify needs in the community and vote on projects local organizations propose to meet those needs. Grantees invite the community to be a part of the project and report back on progress. Several members of the NEV Best Start Committee receive training on the participatory budget process in order to manage this each year. This is community-centered, community-led, community-driven work.

LAEP facilitates the Best Start Community in the Northeast San Fernando Valley (NEV), while El Nido facilitates Best Start Panorama City & Neighbors (PCN).

This year’s grantees are:

Each agency received $75,000 for their projects – resulting in $450,000 invested in the San Fernando Valley community! $225,000 of this will be invested the Northeast San Fernando Valley where LAEP works. The projects will take place over the next year.

This is the third year LAEP has awarded these grants. Past projects include:

  • Multicultural storytimes
  • School wellness lounge
  • Cultural events
  • College scholarships
  • Activities to explore nature
  • Community art
  • Mental health workshops

NEV Best Start, facilitated by LAEP, empowers local families and volunteers to lead community initiatives that address important issues for local families and children so that kids enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and life.

Champions in Service
Child and Family Guidance Center
Discovery Cube Los Angeles
Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC Schools)
Urban Partners – LA Baby Cooperative
YMCA

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LaCora Stephens

Marketing and Communications

LaCora is a seasoned communications professional with a passion for using multimedia storytelling to empower movements for social justice and equality. For over 13 years, she has honed her skills as a versatile multimedia director, overseeing media operations across diverse organizations, including the NAACP Beverly Hills-Hollywood Branch and The Shirley Chisholm Education Foundation. Her deep understanding of the education and equity landscape fuels her creative vision, allowing her to craft impactful narratives that resonate with audiences.

With strategic communication​ and collaboration, LaCora excels in developing and executing compelling​ multimedia campaigns that not only raise​ awareness of critical issues but also​ inspire action and drive meaningful change. Her proficiency in concept​ development, production execution, and​ team leadership ensures projects are​ delivered with exceptional quality. Furthermore, LaCora fosters strong​ relationships with internal and external​ stakeholders, cultivating partnerships​ that maximize campaign reach and impact.

LaCora's educational foundation began with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Education from Florida A&M University. She then pursued a master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Alliant University of San Diego. This passion for storytelling, fueled by her background in education, translates to her belief in the power of shared narratives. Her work in this area was recognized through her selection as a Women in Film Mentee and film director for Viola Davis’ sponsored film showcase, Diversity in Cannes. Now, LaCora leverages her love of storytelling and commitment to educational equity in her role leading marketing and communications for Los Angeles Education Partnership, while also serving on the board of the Pasadena African American Film Foundation.

Eric Barela, Ph.D.

Senior Consultant, Raya Cooper Impact Consulting

Dr. Eric Barela has worked as a measurement & evaluation professional for over 2 decades, helping organizations to better understand and act on their social impact. He’s currently a Senior Consultant with Raya Cooper Impact Consulting and previously worked at Salesforce, where he led efforts to measure the social impact of the company’s work with nonprofits and educational institutions across the globe. He began his career working with the Los Angeles Unified School District and with the nonprofit, Partners in School Innovation. Eric previously served on the Board of the American Evaluation Association and currently serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of the American Journal of Evaluation.

Eric grew up in East LA and was educated in the Montebello Unified School District. He holds a Ph.D. in education from UCLA. He loves a good road trip, with his husband serving as trusty navigator.