How CISLA and Community Partners Are Defending Equity, Wellness, and Excellence in LA Schools Amid Federal Challenges
- communications2623
- Apr 16
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 16
On Friday, March 28th, nonprofit leaders, community organizers, city officials and philanthropy convened at The California Endowment for a critical discussion on the future of L.A.’s students. Hosted by the LA Education Services & Advocacy Alliance, the event focused on a shared mission: protecting the funding designated for Los Angeles’ highest-need students to ensure they receive the support necessary to succeed. With federal threats to key initiatives that protect L.A.’s most vulnerable students, collaboration between the 260 nonprofits supporting LA students and LAUSD has never been more critical.
A Room Full of Passionate Advocates
The room buzzed with energy, with every seat around nine roundtables filled by people who have dedicated their lives to the fight for educational equity in Los Angeles. Many faces were familiar, a reunion of sorts for individuals who, over the years, have fought tirelessly to ensure that every student has the resources and support they deserve. It was a day to celebrate our collective power and reaffirm the work we have yet to finish.
Setting the Tone: The Heart of the Community
The event kicked off with a moving poem by Benin Lemus, whose words set the tone for the day, reminding us of the important role nonprofits play in our community. Following the poem, Elmer Roldan, Executive Director at Communities In Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA) welcomed the group, focusing on the importance of unity and collective advocacy to protect student-centered funding, especially in light of ongoing challenges. He said:
“For years, the groups in this room have worked together to ensure that more students graduate on time prepared for college, meaningful careers, and with better life options…Together we have seen the district open its doors to external partnerships and evolve how it interacts or educates our kids. This is what a movement looks like.” – Elmer Roldan, CISLA
Why This Matters: The Fight for Our Students
It became crystal clear throughout the day: community partners are essential in supporting LAUSD students. As enrollment in the district declines, and funding cuts on the horizon, crucial services are at risk. Nonprofits have stepped up to support students in ways the district can’t, providing mental health services, afterschool programs, and special education support. These nonprofits act as the lifeline when schools cannot meet the needs of the most vulnerable students.
“LAUSD has had mixed results and inconsistent delivery in the quality of services to its 410,000 pupils. For some, this district offers them a world class education with the best facilities, equipment, teachers, and learning opportunities. For other students and families, the experience is not as sweet. Kids endure less than stellar learning, traumatic or life defining experiences in facilities that are understaffed, unwelcoming, or ill equipped.” – Elmer G. Roldan, CISLA
Ana Teresa, Executive Vice President at GPSN, presented findings from Bridging the Gap, a report showing how nonprofit partnerships are helping fill critical gaps in LAUSD. She reminded us that schools alone cannot solve the problems students are facing—economic instability, mental health struggles, trauma from crises like wildfires and deportation threats. Nonprofits are there, standing beside students and families, offering support in ways that truly make a difference.
"If we really want the services to be tailored to the needs of the community, we have to appreciate and recognize the diversity of our nonprofit sector and the services they’re able to provide because the services go beyond academics.” – Ana Teresa, GPSN
Breaking Down Barriers: The Struggles We Face
As much as everyone was united in purpose, the event also highlighted the tough realities of working within the LAUSD system. There are barriers that need to be broken down:
The complex procurement process, which makes it hard for new organizations to partner with the district.
High staff turnover in the education sector, which creates instability and leaves gaps in service delivery.
Delays in funding, putting unnecessary strain on nonprofits trying to support students.
The tendency to prioritize larger, historical partnerships over smaller, community-based organizations that truly understand the needs of the neighborhoods they serve.
These are not just logistical challenges, they are barriers that hurt our students and communities.
SENI Panel: Fighting for Fair School Funding
The School Equity Needs Index (SENI) panel gave a powerful voice to students, parents, and advocates fighting for funding to actually reach the schools that need it most. Maria Ruiz, a parent leader, shared her long-standing work in the district over the last 20 years and how funding often favors affluent zip codes, leaving other communities to struggle.
Jeremiah Salazar, a student leader with CoCo, raised his voice to highlight how unspent funds are a direct disservice to students. When money is allocated but not used for its intended purpose, it means that students are deprived of critical resources they desperately need.
“It’s been really, really crazy to even think that all that money that's being funded into the school students don't really see.” – Jeremiah Salazar, Student Leader at CoCo
Leaa Driskell-Garcia, Director of Advocacy Campaigns at Partnership for LA Schools, shared that SENI reflects LAUSD’s commitment to equity. However, she emphasized that it’s up to all of us to make sure that these funds are used in the right way.
“The burden is on all of us to engage with schools and ensure communities understand how these funds can be used.” – Leaa Driskell-Garcia
BSAP Panel: Fighting for Black Student Achievement
The Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) panel brought together passionate voices fighting for Black students. Joseph Williams, Executive Director at Students Deserve, spoke about how organizing led to targeted funding for Black students through BSAP—only for LAUSD to attempt scaling it back after legal challenges. His words underscored a painful truth: when education funding is diverted into punitive measures instead of resources for students, it hurts our most vulnerable children.
Lakell White, a former BSAP student, shared how the program changed her life. After the pandemic, additional counselors and social workers provided by BSAP at Dorsey High School shifted the school’s culture and supported her in ways that directly contributed to her success. She was accepted into over 20 colleges—something she attributes directly to the support she received through BSAP.
“I probably wouldn't have gotten to college without my BSAP counselors.” – Lakell White
Alisa Blair, Policy and Special Projects Director at the Community-Based Public Safety Collective, shared the importance of community-driven safety measures over punitive ones. Safe passage programs, which ensure that students have a safe route to and from school, are a prime example of how investing in students’ well-being creates the kind of supportive environment they need to thrive.
“Safe passage really provides relationship building and outreach with young people, with the [school] administration.” – Alisa Blair
What’s Next?
The heart of the convening centered on celebrating the vital role that community partners play in supporting LAUSD students. Parents shared how partners help ensure families are informed and included in decisions impacting their children. Students spoke to the deep impact of trusted relationships and the vital services made possible by nonprofits,many of which have transformed their lives.
One student, Lakell White, shared:
“I lost my father in 2021 to the COVID-19 pandemic. And I was really going through it. Like, it was honestly pouring out into school. I probably was acting up maybe a little bit, but I wasn't met with the correct support and this correct love from inside of my school. They were trying to suspend me…But Students Deserve, they understood that I was going through things, and they showed up for me in every way that they possibly could. And they also filled a void for that support that I was missing at school.” - Lakell White, Students Deserve Leader
Take Action with Us
We all have a role to play in ensuring that L.A. students receive the support they deserve. Strengthening partnerships between LAUSD and nonprofits is key to unlocking the full potential of our highest-need students to have access to resources that help them thrive. Here’s how we can move forward together:
Promote transparency and awareness around SENI and BSAP funds.
LAUSD and community organizations must work collaboratively to effectively remove barriers.
Keep students’ well- being at the forefront by prioritizing mental health support, academic resources, and community-driven safety strategies.
There’s incredible power in our collective action—and that energy was felt throughout this convening. As students continue to face immense challenges, the time to act is now. It’s on all of us—advocates, policymakers, and community members—to ensure every student has access to the resources they deserve.
We’re excited about the opportunities ahead to deepen our partnership with the district and expand access to the wraparound services students need to thrive—in our schools, our communities, and beyond.
Are you a service provider or nonprofit supporting LAUSD students? Join the movement to put students first. To learn how you can get involved and support upcoming efforts, please contact Stephanie Hernandez at shernandez@cislosangeles.org.
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