395128pwpadmin, Author at Champions in Service

2025 Annual Holiday Toy Giveaway

This holiday season, Champions in Service (CIS) was proud to host our 2025 Annual Toy Giveaway, a joyful community celebration focused on generosity, dignity, and togetherness. Thanks to the collective efforts of our staff, volunteers, and supporters, we were able to create a memorable experience for hundreds of families.

This year, CIS distributed 539 toys to children ages 3–18 and provided meals to 450 community members, ensuring that families could celebrate the season with both joy and nourishment.

Day Designed for Joy and Choice

One of the most meaningful parts of the event was our toy room experience. Each child was invited to enter the toy room with a CIS staff member or volunteer and choose any toy they wanted. This approach was intentionally centered on autonomy, excitement, and allowing each child to feel seen and celebrated.

Beyond toys, the event was filled with festive activities that brought smiles to all ages, including a photo booth for families to capture holiday memories, a snow machine, creating a magical winter experience right in our community, a hot chocolate and coffee station to keep everyone warm, and an ornament decorating station, where children and families could create keepsakes together.

Giving Beyond Toys

In addition to toys and activities, CIS hosted raffles throughout the event, giving away bicycles, skateboards, and household appliances, resources that bring continued joy and support to families well beyond the holiday season.

Community at the Center

The Annual Toy Giveaway is more than an event; it reflects CIS’s commitment to creating spaces of safety, joy, and connection for the communities we serve. For many families, the holidays can be a time of stress and uncertainty. Our goal is to ease that burden while creating moments of celebration, belonging, and hope.

We are deeply grateful to our volunteers, partners, and supporters who made this event possible. Your generosity helped turn a simple idea into a powerful day of impact.

On behalf of all of us at Champions in Service, thank you for helping us spread joy this holiday season.

Celebrating Growth: Our Urban Agriculture Youth Fall Cohort Visits Universal Studios

In December 2025, Champions in Service treated our Urban Agriculture Program youth fall cohort to a special day at Universal Studios! This trip was more than just a fun outing, it was a celebration of the hard work, dedication, and growth our participants showed throughout the fall season.

The youth cohort spent the past few months learning hands-on skills in gardening, California native plant care, and animal stewardship, while also developing teamwork, responsibility, and leadership through our Urban Agriculture Employment Program. To recognize their accomplishments, we wanted to give them an experience that was exciting, rewarding, and memorable.

Why Field Trips Like This Are Important

For the youth in our programs, opportunities like this go far beyond entertainment:

Motivation and Recognition: Celebrating achievements in a tangible way helps reinforce the value of hard work and perseverance.
Exposure to New Experiences: Visiting a major theme park allows participants to explore spaces they might not otherwise have access to.
Team Building and Social Skills: Shared experiences in a fun environment strengthen peer connections and foster collaboration.
Positive Reinforcement: Linking effort with rewards helps youth develop a growth mindset and encourages continued engagement in programs.

Seeing the excitement on the faces of our participants as they explored rides, shows, and attractions reminded us why these outings are so important. They’re a chance to reward success, build confidence, and create joyful memories that complement the skills learned in our programs.

At Champions in Service, we’re committed to supporting youth growth both inside and outside the classroom, cultivating not just gardens, but resilient, confident, and inspired young people ready to thrive in their communities.

Touchdowns and Togetherness: Champions in Service Takes Clients to the Rams vs. Seahawks Game

In November 2025, Champions in Service took a big step in creating memorable experiences for our clients, bringing 50 clients and 20 staff members to see the Rams take on the Seahawks! This field trip wasn’t just about the thrill of the game; it was about opening doors, building connections, and exposing our clients to new experiences.

Our group included participants from both youth and adult programs, spanning from reentry clients to those involved in intervention programs. For many, this was their first opportunity to attend a professional sports event, and it provided a safe, supportive environment to enjoy something outside of daily challenges.

Why Experiences Like This Matter

For the populations we serve, access to recreational and cultural experiences is often limited. Many of our clients face barriers such as low income, involvement in the justice system, or social isolation. Field trips like this:

Broaden Horizons: Introducing clients to new environments and experiences helps expand their worldview and inspires curiosity.
Encourage Positive Social Interaction: Sharing an exciting, structured outing allows clients to build relationships with peers and staff in a natural, supportive setting.
Build Confidence and Community: Stepping into new spaces helps clients feel included, valued, and capable of engaging in society in meaningful ways.
Support Emotional Well-being: Fun, recreational activities reduce stress and provide joy, important for both youth and adults navigating complex life challenges.

Whether cheering for the Rams, exploring the stadium, or connecting with staff and peers, the field trip reinforced the importance of experiences that go beyond traditional programming. It was a reminder that sometimes the biggest wins aren’t measured on a scoreboard, but in the confidence, joy, and connection our clients carry home.

At Champions in Service, we’re committed to creating opportunities that inspire growth, foster belonging, and provide experiences that our clients can carry with them long after the final whistle.

2025 Thanksgiving Turkey & Meal Bag Distribution

Serving Families Across the Northeast San Fernando Valley

This Thanksgiving season, our team came together with partners, volunteers, and community members to bring holiday warmth to families across the Northeast San Fernando Valley. Thanks to the generosity and collaboration of many, we successfully distributed 1,200 turkeys and full meal bags to households in need, each containing potatoes, fresh vegetables, and a pie.

Distribution Across the Valley

We hosted pop-up tables and staffed community sites throughout the region, making sure families had convenient access to holiday meals. Distribution took place at:

North Valley Caring Services
VO Van Nuys
Our Lady of Holy Rosary – Sun Valley
VO Arleta
La Trinidad – San Fernando
Lakeview Terrace Senior Center
CIS Office – Turkey Distribution for Clients
Pacoima Projects
VO North Hollywood
Local 300

At each location, our CIS team hosted a pop-up table to connect directly with residents and share additional resources and support.

Strong Partnerships Made It Possible

Our annual Thanksgiving outreach would not be possible without the commitment of our community partners. We proudly collaborate each year with Gamma Zeta Alpha Delta Chapter at CSUN, whose contributions this year helped us purchase the grocery bags used for distribution.

We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to each of our host sites, churches, community centers, service organizations, and local partners, who opened their doors and supported us in getting meals to families who needed them most.

Community Impact

This event reflects our mission in action: standing with our community, uplifting families, and ensuring that no one feels alone during the holidays. Together, we reached thousands of individuals across multiple neighborhoods with nourishment, connection, and care.

Thank You

To every volunteer, partner, and community member who supported our Thanksgiving distribution, thank you. Your generosity brings hope to our neighborhoods and strengthens the bonds that keep our community thriving.

Annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway

Supporting Students Across the Northeast San Fernando Valley

Every year from late July through early August, our organization hosts our Annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway, bringing excitement, confidence, and support to students throughout the Northeast San Fernando Valley. This year, we distributed 100 backpacks at each site across six communities:

Sun Valley
North Hollywood
Arleta
Pacoima
Sylmar
North Hills

Community-Based Distribution

At each location, children had the opportunity to choose their own backpack, allowing them to start the new school year with a sense of pride and ownership. Our CIS staff members, many of whom live in and deeply understand these neighborhoods, were on-site, ensuring families felt welcomed, supported, and connected to resources.

Rooted in Community, Year After Year

This backpack giveaway has become a beloved annual tradition, grounded in our commitment to making sure every child feels prepared for the school year ahead. Because our staff come from the same communities we serve, the event is more than a distribution, it’s a moment of connection, celebration, and care.

Our Impact

Across the six cities, hundreds of students walked away with a brand-new backpack and big smiles. They provided families with meaningful support during a financially challenging season and helped students begin the school year on a positive note.

Thank You

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the families who joined us, the staff who made each site welcoming, and the communities that continue to trust us each year. Your support helps us uplift young people and strengthen neighborhoods across the Northeast San Fernando Valley.

Growing Wellness: How Our Garden and Urban Agriculture Programs Are Empowering Families in the Northeast San Fernando Valley

Since 2023, Champions in Service has been cultivating more than just plants, we’ve been nurturing community wellness. With the support of a $75,000 grant from Best Start San Fernando Valley (SFV), a First 5 LA initiative that funds community-led projects through its United in Action process, we began our journey to create spaces where families could come together, connect with nature, and improve their overall well-being.

Planting the Seeds of Wellness

Our original program, the Nature and Family Wellness Program, focused on supporting families in neighborhoods like Sylmar, Pacoima, San Fernando, Panorama City, North Hills, and Sun Valley. Through weekly parent support groups, families engaged in discussions about physical and mental health, nutrition, and stress reduction techniques. These conversations were paired with hands-on experiences in our wellness garden, nature walks, and monthly family field trips to hiking trails, parks, and beaches.

Gardening became more than a hobby, it was a tool for building resilience. Families explored healthy eating through planting fruits and vegetables, learned stress management through nature-based activities, and strengthened community bonds by sharing experiences and supporting one another. Along the way, our garden grew to include chickens and rabbits, adding a fun and educational dimension for the children and parents who participated.

Since 2023, Champions in Service has been cultivating more than just plants, we’ve been nurturing community wellness. With the support of a $75,000 grant from Best Start San Fernando Valley (SFV), a First 5 LA initiative that funds community-led projects through its United in Action process, we began our journey to create spaces where families could come together, connect with nature, and improve their overall well-being.

Planting the Seeds of Wellness

Our original program, the Nature and Family Wellness Program, focused on supporting families in neighborhoods like Sylmar, Pacoima, San Fernando, Panorama City, North Hills, and Sun Valley. Through weekly parent support groups, families engaged in discussions about physical and mental health, nutrition, and stress reduction techniques. These conversations were paired with hands-on experiences in our wellness garden, nature walks, and monthly family field trips to hiking trails, parks, and beaches.

Gardening became more than a hobby, it was a tool for building resilience. Families explored healthy eating through planting fruits and vegetables, learned stress management through nature-based activities, and strengthened community bonds by sharing experiences and supporting one another. Along the way, our garden grew to include chickens and rabbits, adding a fun and educational dimension for the children and parents who participated.

A Community of Support

The heart of the program was the relationships formed among our participants. Primarily Spanish-speaking mothers came together each week to discuss challenges, share experiences of trauma, and support each other’s growth. The program offered more than just physical and mental wellness resources, it created a safe, empowering space for families to learn, connect, and thrive.

Growing with Urban Agriculture

After a brief pause due to funding constraints, our garden program grew into a new opportunity: the Urban Agriculture Employment Program, launched in September 2025 with support from the Ballmer Group through the Urban Peace Institute (UPI). This paid, hands-on program provides community members with skills in gardening, CA native plant landscaping, and environmental stewardship while caring for our chickens and rabbits.

Participants in this seasonal program gain practical experience, earn a monthly stipend, and learn how to apply sustainable urban agriculture practices. The program also nurtures leadership, teamwork, and community engagement, empowering participants to take an active role in shaping healthier neighborhoods.

Looking Ahead

From our first seedlings in 2023 to our current urban agriculture initiative, our programs have always been about more than just gardening. They’re about planting the seeds of wellness, supporting mental and physical health, fostering community connections, and creating opportunities for growth.

We are proud to continue nurturing our garden and our community, and we invite neighbors, families, and supporters to join us in cultivating wellness, one plant, one conversation, and one shared experience at a time.

Celebrating Resilience: A Youth Graduation Story

At Champions in Service, we provide wrap-around services to young people and families navigating challenges like trauma, poverty, and violence. We’re honored to celebrate the milestones of the youth we support, and today, we want to highlight one remarkable young man from our community who recently graduated.

He shared a powerful message at his graduation about perseverance, growth, and the impact of support:

“For a long time, I never imagined myself at a moment like this… My journey wasn’t easy. There were days I wanted to give up. Days I questioned if I was enough. Days I carried the weight of my past like a shadow. But I kept going. I kept pushing. And little by little, I started healing. I started finding myself again. I started becoming someone I’m proud of, someone my daughter will be proud of.”

This story reflects our agency’s mission: to provide guidance, resources, and opportunities that help young people overcome barriers, rebuild their lives, and realize their potential. With support from caring staff, mentors, and programs that address mental health, education, and life skills, youth like him are able to turn struggle into strength.

“To anyone who has ever felt like I did: You are not too broken to grow. You are not too lost to be found. And you are not too far gone to build a life you’re proud of. Sometimes the strongest people aren’t the ones who never struggled; they’re the ones who went through the fire and came out standing.”

Graduations like this remind us why we do what we do. Every day, our youth face challenges we may not see, yet they continue to fight, grow, and achieve. We are proud to celebrate this graduate and every young person taking steps toward a brighter future.

Congratulations to the class of 2025!

First Annual CIS Wellness Fair 2025

In April 2025, Champions in Service proudly hosted our first annual Wellness Fair, bringing together local vendors, families, and community members at our office to share resources, information, and support. This event was designed to promote physical, mental, and financial wellness while creating a space for connection and community engagement.

Participants enjoyed free food, raffle prizes, and opportunities to learn from a variety of vendors providing services that support health, safety, and personal growth. Some of our most recognizable vendors included:

Magicland Dental / West Coast Dental – offering dental care and oral health resources.

Tarzana Treatment Centers – providing substance use and mental health support. New Economics for Women – empowering women with financial literacy and resources.

Mother’s Nutritional Center – supporting family nutrition and healthy eating.

Planned Parenthood Los Angeles – offering reproductive health education and services.

GRYD El Nido – providing gang prevention and youth development programs.

Victim Compensation – connecting community members to support services after trauma.

Titan Gym – promoting fitness and physical well-being.

In addition to these vendors, attendees had the chance to interact with other local organizations, receive valuable information, and participate in fun activities designed to engage the whole family. The fair reinforced our commitment to holistic wellness, offering resources that address both immediate needs and long-term health and development.

The success of this inaugural event has set the stage for future wellness fairs, and we look forward to continuing to connect residents with vital community resources, support, and opportunities for growth and empowerment.