School Aged Children Archives - Children's Institute Inc.

A Note of Gratitude from Martine – 6th Annual Cape & Gown Gala

Posted on December 13, 2024 at 9:20 am.

Thanks to the generosity of our Children’s Institute donors, we raised over $820,000 for our children, families and communities last night.

Far beyond dollars, though, these donations represent the hope, love and commitment we share for the 30,000 children and families across Los Angeles served by CII each year. Your contributions create opportunities, thriving communities and healthy futures for generations to come.

At last night’s gala, we honored four incredible champions:

TIM DISNEY, introduced by President of CalArts, Ravi Rajan, received the Children’s Champion Award for his decades of unwavering advocacy for children and families.
ERIN WESTERMAN, introduced by actress, singer and producer, Naomi Scott, accepted the Children’s Champion Award for her support of youth mentorship programs and the health and wellbeing of pregnant and parenting mothers.
DEPUTY CHIEF EMADA TINGIRIDES & PHILLIP TINGIRIDES, introduced by CII Trustee, Gena Brooks, received the Community Champion Award for their groundbreaking approach to community-based policing.

Emcee and actor/comedian, Lil Rel Howery brought his signature humor to the evening. We were inspired by Tondalia Chandler, who underscored the critical importance of CII’s services to her family; you can read her story here. Additionally, here are two heartwarming videos that were shared last night: Project Fatherhood and Emotional Wellbeing.

The evening opened with a performance by the CalArts ensemble, Sirena and featured a live auction hosted by Emmy-winning broadcaster Liam Mayclem. For a recap of the event, check out our social media post here.

On behalf of everyone at Children’s Institute, we extend our deepest gratitude to all who sponsored, supported and participated in our gala. Your generosity truly makes a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve and in communities across Los Angeles.

With deep gratitude,

Martine Singer

Thank you to our gala supporters:
Dragonfly Therapeutics, Inc., Bill & Maura Haney, Johnny Carson Foundation, Susan Disney Lord, Roy P. Disney & Abigail Disney, O’Melveny & Meyers, Lauren & Chuck Diamond, Megan Smith & Garrett Doherty, Cindy & Alan Horn, Andrea & Glenn Sonnenberg, Bel Air Investment Advisors, Burnham Benefits, Cal Arts, Gallagher, HUB International, KPMG, Les Amies, Lionsgate, PwC, UnitedHealthcare, Warner Bros. Television, Wells Fargo, Steven Gomez, Dr. Jenny Williams & Joan Henehan, Sally & Paul R. Kanin, Dr. Jennifer Linehan Kutrieh & Tarek Kutrieh, Jamie Alter Lynton & Michael Lynton, Carole & Barry Patmore and Family, Gelila Assefa Puck, R&S Kayne Foundation, Jessica Harper & Tom Rothman, Maria Seferian, Slusser Ranch Vineyards, The Walt Disney Company, The W. M. Keck Foundation, Bills & Stoll, LLP, Bocarsly Emden Cowan Esmail & Arndt LLP, Bogaard Group International, John & Louise Bryson, Canterbury Consulting, Cedars-Sinai, City National Bank, Creative Artists Agency, Stella Hall & Jim Fordyce, Beth & Sunil Gunderia, Monica Wyatt & Mark Horowitz, Kingdom Story Company, The Provost Family, Salesforce, Shamrock Capital Advisors, Moira & Rajath Shourie, Susan Steinhauser, David & Paula Agnew, Amazon Studios, Angeleno Group, Philippe Browning, Katherine & Bill Burford, Camino Nuevo Charter Academy & Pueblo Nuevo Education and Development Group, Beth Grant & Michael Chieffo, DSH // architecture and Chava Danielson & Eric Haas, The Drake Family, Cliff Einstein, GHJ, Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Inc., Tracey Gluck, The Goetzman Group, Ilene & Stanley Gold, Health Net, LLC, Suzanne & David Johnson, Nathan Kahane, David Kuhn, Aevitas Creative Management, Roy Lee at Vertigo Entertainment, Levinson Arshonsky Kurtz & Komsky, LLP, Liz Hirsh Naftali, Roger Allers & Genaro Pereira, Ric Whitney & Tina Perry-Whitney, Point Grey Pictures, Carolyn Powers, Revolution Office, Negar & Ariff Sidi, Jason & Cindy Spitz, Mary Rohlich & Clay Tweel, UCLA Extension, The United Plankton Charitable Trust and WME.

Get to Know Your Reporter: Alina Tugend, The New York Times

Posted on December 4, 2024 at 1:46 pm.

Written by Hyesun Ahn

“Get to Know Your Reporter” is a series of interviews we’re having with journalists covering topics that are both timely and relevant to our audiences. Our aim is to advocate for and highlight the issues & policies that affect the children and families we serve, and one way is by providing information directly from experts in the field.

This month, we had the privilege of meeting with Alina Tugend, a freelance journalist from The New York Times.

Hello Alina – thank you for making time to meet and share with us. Can you please start of by taking time to meet with us. Let’s start off by getting to know you a little better.

I’m a life-long journalist, reporting on a variety of topics – from the environment to education and reporting over the years from California, Rhode Island, Washington DC, New York and the United Kingdom. For the past 24 years, I’ve been a freelance journalist for numerous national publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chronicle of Higher Education and Kiplinger Retirement Report. I have also written several explainers for the Education Writers Association and currently much of my work is focused on education, both K-12 and higher education.

From 2005-2015 I wrote the biweekly, “Shortcuts,” column for The New York Times business section. I’m also the author of the book “Better by Mistake: The Unexpected Benefits of Being Wrong,” and one of 25 women featured in the book “Mistakes I made at Work: 25 Influential Women Reflect on What They Got Out of Getting it Wrong.”

What motivates you as a journalist?

I love both reporting and writing. Journalism allows me to talk to a wide variety of people about so many different topics – even ones that sound dull usually end up being interesting in some way. And it’s often a challenge to fit that information together in a relatively small space in a way that is (hopefully) understandable, interesting and makes people consider an idea or concept in a way they haven’t before. I believe journalism, done thoughtfully and rigorously, is incredibly important in creating an engaged and educated citizenry – which, of course, is essential to a democracy.

It took me a long time to find a place to publish, report and write. I learned a lot while in the process, including how to better write on complicated and delicate issues that involve race and class, as education so often does. As an editor on a project once told me, it’s important not to try to smooth over contradictions, but write into the complexity. That means giving readers a real understanding of the possible ambiguity of an issue without simply falling into “on the one hand, on the other hand.”

What story/project are you the proudest of working on and why?

I would like to write some longer, in-depth stories, particularly on what good research has shown works successfully in helping students thrive in K-12 education.

See below for articles published by Alina:

Community Schools Become More Popular With Lessons Learned From the Pandemic

Art Can Fight Climate Change in More Ways Than One

At This Museum Sixth Graders Learn Lessons in Democracy

Upgraded Museums Add New Value at Colleges and Universities

Children’s Institute Helped Me Heal & My Family Thrive

Posted on November 27, 2024 at 3:00 pm.

Written by Hyesun Ahn

Dear Children’s Institute,

My name is Tondalia and when I was a little girl, I always knew I wanted to help people. If telling my story about how Children’s Institute changed my life helps more parents get the support they need, I will have accomplished a lifelong dream.

I went through some really challenging times as a kid and my past traumas had created a lot of anger within me. After starting therapy at 11 years old, I went from a shut-down teen to someone who understood that it was okay to seek help, to release emotions and to express myself in healthier ways.

So when my daughter started struggling with substance use, I dedicated the next 17 years of my life to fighting for my four grandchildren and making sure they had the love and care they needed to heal. I reached out to my old therapist for help and she connected me to Children’s Institute.

When I first called Children’s Institute, it just so happened that a gentleman named Carl, who had helped my eldest grandson when he first went into foster care, answered the phone. I knew then that this was the right place for my family. All four grandchildren received services from Children’s Institute and so did I.

Children’s Institute is a safe place for me. From the receptionist at the front desk, my therapist to the staff linking me to additional resources such as transportation and utility bill payment assistance, the whole experience has put me at ease. All my life, I have been responsible for taking care of others. Children’s Institute was here to take care of me.

I now have the mental space to think about my future and how I would like to pursue a career where I can help other parents understand the power of therapy.

When my grandchildren first started counseling, they were closed up, like rose petals when you can’t see inside. Now they have blossomed into the young people they deserve to be because they have the resources they need to thrive. I’m proud of the progress we’ve all made and the opportunity to grow together.

Please consider giving a generous gift to Children’s Institute this holiday season, so that more families like mine can get the support they need to flourish.

Sincerely,

Tondalia Chandler

Get to Know Your Reporter: Ana B. Ibarra, Health Reporter at CalMatters

Posted on November 7, 2024 at 10:49 am.

Written by Hyesun Ahn

This month, we had the privilege of meeting with Ana B. Ibarra, a health reporter at CalMatters.

Hello Ana and thank you for taking time to meet with us. Let’s start off by getting to know you a little better.

I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, specifically in Rosemead, California, as the daughter of Mexican and Salvadoran immigrants. My introduction to journalism was in high school, where I joined a class and helped with the school newspaper, The Panther’s Tale. Journalism forced me out of my comfort zone to connect with people I might never have encountered otherwise.

Ten years after starting my career, I consider myself lucky to still be a reporter. It’s challenging yet it gives me the opportunity to meet people throughout the community, allowing me to understand the issues that affect us all. I get to speak with those who have the power to make policy and changes, as well as the people impacted by those decisions.

What drives me is my commitment to keeping people informed and making news more accessible. I started my journalism career covering health and I’m still at it today. It’s a field that impacts everyone in one way or another and remains a strong area of interest for me.

I began my journey with the Merced Sun-Star then moved on to Kaiser Health News, part of the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), before landing my current role at CalMatters. I look forward to continuing this work, connecting with people from all walks of life and amplifying the stories that matter.

How has the transition from Sacramento to Los Angeles been for you as a reporter?

I’ve had the opportunity to report from different places across California – from the San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento and now to my hometown of Los Angeles. Each transition has offered unique perspectives and insights. In Sacramento, I covered the Capitol and various government agencies, translating decisions made by leaders and lawmakers into stories that reached the public. My goal was to make these decisions at the top accessible and relevant to the communities they directly impact.

Now I work outside of Sacramento, focusing on issues people deal with in their communities. I’m tracking things from health care concerns to economic challenges that might go unnoticed yet impact everyday lives. Often, these stories bring fresh insight to decision-makers in Sacramento, reinforcing how community-level issues need representation at the state level.

At CalMatters, the heart of what we do is rooted in policy, always keeping a close watch on Sacramento’s decisions. But it’s equally important for us to investigate how these policies play out on the ground and observe how policies impact different cities, from Bakersfield to Los Angeles, highlighting how unique each community’s challenges are.

Ultimately, our reporting is about bridging that gap, showing how policy decisions in Sacramento impact the lives of people across California.

We’ve heard the news & media being affected quite a bit these days. Have you noticed any major trends or changes in the media landscape? And if so, what are you noticing and how are you pivoting?

In my 10 years in journalism, I’ve seen newsrooms, especially local ones, shrink to become skeletons of what they used to be. That means there are fewer eyes and stories coming out of these communities. This challenge has also resulted in more collaboration between newsrooms and reporters. At CalMatters, we partner with many local outlets to expand access to important news across California.

As news consumption evolves, we’re having to adapt too, reaching readers through print, radio, TV, newsletters and even TikTok. At the same time, we’re working to combat misinformation and build trust. This adaptability is essential, as accurate, accessible news is more critical than ever.

Can you share about your recent accomplishments and highlights?

I’ve learned that everyone interacts with the healthcare system in some way, and it can be a very complicated system to navigate. When someone reaches out to say my reporting has helped them or their family, it’s the ultimate compliment and achievement.

This year, my health team took on a major project: investigating maternity ward closures across California. It required months of work, from gathering data, conducting interviews, and traveling across the state, including to Imperial County, where we spoke with people affected by these closures. The project was a labor of heart and hard work and we’ve been working on that since last year and up until this year. Here is the investigation that led to Governor Newsom signing a law to create more transparency around maternity ward closures: Gov. Newsom signs law to slow closures.

What a powerful article with so much impact! Thank you for reporting on such critical issues. For our final question, what is a message you’d like to convey with your readers? Do you have any tips on how people can reach the media?

Navigating the healthcare system can be difficult. If you’re struggling to find the information you need, don’t be shy to reach out to journalists. Often the questions you have are shared by others. Readers sometimes contact me for help accessing resources, and even if I don’t have the answer, I can connect them with someone who does. When readers share their questions and concerns, it also helps us understand the areas where the public may need more information.

See below for recent articles published by Ana:

Californians are knocking on doors in 2024 swing states

After CalMatters investigation, Gov Newsom signs law to slow maternity ward closures

Maternal deaths: New CA plan centers on moms’ overall health

CalMatters is a nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization bringing Californians stories that probe, explain and explore solutions to quality of life issues while holding our leaders accountable. We are the only journalism outlet dedicated to covering America’s biggest state, 39 million Californians and the world’s fifth largest economy. Our mission is to improve California’s democracy by making its government more transparent and accountable and giving Californians the information they need to understand and engage with that government.

Ana reports from a health fair in Calexico (Imperial County). Photo credit: Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters.

Get to Know Your Reporter: Jackie Mader, Senior Reporter at The Hechinger Report

Posted on October 21, 2024 at 11:42 am.

Written by Hyesun Ahn

In continuing this series, we had the opportunity to sit down with Jackie Mader, an award-winning reporter from The Hechinger Report.

Thank you, Jackie, for taking time to meet with us. We are honored to have this time with you. Could you please start off by telling us about yourself?

I’m Jackie Mader, Senior Reporter for Early Childhood at The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit news organization dedicated exclusively to reporting on education. Based out of Columbia University’s Teachers College, we collaborate with both local and national news outlets to publish in-depth stories on critical education issues, including early childhood, which I define as spanning from prenatal family support programs and infancy through third grade, covering the developmental period up to eight years of age.

What motivates you to cover early childhood education and development?

I am deeply passionate about early childhood education. My journey into covering this critical age group began about nine years ago, while I was living and reporting in Mississippi for The Hechinger Report. I was on assignment, visiting childcare centers as the state debated funding preschool programs. That was my first introduction to early learning and it sparked my interest in this field. Prior to journalism, I worked as a middle school teacher, where I saw firsthand the lack of foundational skills many students had. It became clear to me how vital those early years are, as I witnessed the long-term effects of missed opportunities for quality early learning.

When I first began reporting on early childhood, I was astonished by how essential those first few years are to a person’s development and yet, how little attention they received in media coverage. While education reporting largely focuses on K-12 and higher education, early childhood is often overlooked.

Around the same time, I became pregnant with my first child, who is now eight and a half. Reporting on early childhood issues while pregnant brought a new depth to my work. As I visited childcare programs, I imagined leaving my own child in those settings, knowing I would soon rely on these services. This personal connection strengthened my desire to cover early childhood and deepened my understanding of the issues. It also made me more aware of how policy decisions affect parents on the ground, myself included.

I’m so passionate about this subject because of the general lack of public understanding about the first few years of life and how profoundly they impact a child’s brain development. I strive to highlight this in my reporting because those early interactions – between caregivers and children and within home and childcare environments, have lasting consequences on a child’s development. This period shapes the rest of their lives and it’s a critical time that is too often overlooked. I feel a sense of urgency to raise awareness because many people don’t yet grasp the importance of early childhood. That’s what drives me – to educate the public on these crucial early years and bring them into public discourse.

Can you tell us about your career in journalism? What advice would you give young people interested in pursuing a career in journalism?

My path to journalism was a bit unconventional. My undergraduate degrees were in screenwriting and elementary education, and I spent several years teaching. It was during my time as a teacher that I realized I wanted to write about education, which ultimately led me to graduate school for journalism. From there, I transitioned into education reporting.

For those interested in journalism, my biggest advice is to start writing as much as possible. Take every opportunity you can to write, whether it’s for school publications, blogs or even internships. The more you write, the better you’ll become. I also recommend studying the work of great writers and journalists, paying close attention to their techniques, storytelling and how they structure their pieces. While there’s a lot you can learn on the job, taking journalism classes is also valuable if they’re available to you. Those classes can provide you with useful tools and foundational skills for the field.

Are there any upcoming projects that you’re excited about?

Yes, I’m really excited about a few things I’ve been working on. Last year, I took a fellowship leave and traveled to Norway, where I studied their early childhood education system. I’ll soon be publishing stories from that experience. It’s been fascinating to explore what the U.S. can learn from countries that have heavily invested in their childcare systems and in creating a high-quality childhood for children. I plan to continue pursuing international comparisons in my reporting, looking at how different countries approach early childhood education.

Another project I’m working on focuses on the quality of childcare in the U.S. In the aftermath of the pandemic, there’s been a push for deregulation to fix the childcare system, but some of these proposed solutions, such as increasing child-to-staff ratios or reducing staff training requirements, could harm the quality of care. I’m investigating these issues to better understand their potential impact.

I’m also delving into classroom management, which is a topic I’ve been interested in since my own days as a teacher. I’m currently working on a story inspired by my children’s experiences in school and what I’ve observed as a parent. Classroom management is a major challenge for teachers, and it’s often cited as one of the main reasons educators leave the profession. My goal is to explore both personal experiences and research to understand the best practices and ongoing challenges in this area.

Jackie Mader can be reached at mader@hechingerreport.org

See below for recent articles by Jackie:

For Norwegian children, access to child care that supports a joyful childhood is a right

My year researching child care policy

Study finds ‘opportunity gap’ can come down to just six missed chances

Head Start funding formula needs fixing, advocates say

The Hechinger Report is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based at Teachers College, Columbia University, covering issues of inequality and innovation in education, from the earliest years through college and careers. We tell stories that will have an impact on the future of American schooling. The news industry faces collapse in many parts of the country. Thorough, reliable news is needed more than ever. As the corporate journalism industry struggles, The Hechinger Report fills the gaps and elevates the quality of coverage about education.

Community Spotlight: Twinspire

Posted on October 3, 2024 at 1:14 pm.

Written by Hyesun Ahn

We recently opened the doors of our Otis Booth campus, in the heart of Historic Filipinotown, to welcome our community partner organizations for a much-anticipated roundtable discussion. Hosted by our Community Relations team, this marked the first community roundtable at Otis Booth since the onset of the pandemic, with partners eager to come together and engage in person.

“There’s been a hunger to reimagine the collaborative spaces we enjoyed pre-pandemic—to welcome back community partners, old and new. It reminded us that there is so much power in simply sharing space, breaking bread, in discussing common experiences and opportunities for partnership in service to families. This was an exciting first step,” says Deborah Riddle, the Senior Community Relations Specialist at Children’s Institute.

The gathering reflected our North Star, which centers on four pillars: educational success, emotional well-being, economic mobility and lifelong health. These pillars ground us as we work in underserved communities and guide us in the relationships we build. And we know that our work cannot be done alone. True impact is achieved through collaboration, which is why we’re so proud of the strategic partnerships we’ve developed with organizations like Wesley Health, Saban Clinic, P.S. Arts and Twinspire.

As we sat down to discuss current challenges, opportunities and to better understand community needs, one thing was clear: while our missions aligned, each of the organizations brought a unique set of strengths and areas for growth to the table. This diversity in experience reinforced our belief that we are better together.

Among the voices at the table was Twinspire, an organization that has become near and dear to us. Not only are they our new partners, but they’ve also recently moved into our campus. Twinspire’s work is transformative, as they advocate for marginalized young adults and foster youth, equipping them with financial literacy and life skills. By empowering their youth to open doors to educational and career opportunities, they break down barriers and elevate voices that often go unheard.

What stands out most about Twinspire’s approach is their intentionality behind the relationships they build with their youth. Not an easy task. The leaders of the organization, often take the first step to connect with the youth on a deeper level by sharing in their own personal experiences as Black men who have navigated similar struggles. Angelo Agunae, Twinspire’s Program Director, shared, “I love the youth we serve, and I relate to them. I relate to their struggles, and I believe it is our duty to invest in youth and kids because when we do that, they become the people they’re supposed to be.”

Their shared experiences form the foundation of trust, allowing vulnerable stories to be told, real emotions to be felt and healing to begin. This relationship-building is just the first step to making their programs so successful and resonant, in topics including financial literacy, career development, social-emotional learning and social justice.

Tae Thompson, Twinspire’s co-founder and Executive Director, eloquently framed it during our discussion. He says, “It’s not about seeing individuals as independently sufficient but rather, as community sufficient.” This powerful mindset highlights the interconnectedness of our work, emphasizing that we all play a vital role in the development of the whole person within the larger community ecosystem.

We’re thrilled to continue our collaboration with Twinspire and as we embark on our new joint initiative supporting foster youth, LAUNCH, aimed at supporting system-involved youth, we can’t wait to share more about the impact we’ll create together. Stay tuned for exciting updates on this partnership!

Suicide Prevention Awareness – Trending Issues & Tips for Families with Youth

Posted on September 30, 2024 at 11:29 am.

Written by Hyesun Ahn

Suicide is a complex issue affecting countless families, making awareness essential for prevention. Our Director of Intensive Behavioral Health, Kelly Hwang, LMFT, shared her insights with L.A. Parent Magazine about how recent societal changes have impacted suicidal ideation, particularly among youth and wants to highlight two major influences including the pandemic and social media. While both issues are attributed to rising mental health concerns, they also provide opportunities for dialogue and support.

The Impact of the Pandemic
The pandemic has profoundly affected youth mental health, resulting in alarming increases in suicidal ideation and self-harm. A key driver of this crisis is social isolation including lockdowns which stripped youth of social interactions, leaving many feeling lonely and disconnected.

Additionally, the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the pandemic shifted conversations about mortality into the forefront of young minds. Children, who may have previously been unaffected by death, were suddenly inundated with news about COVID-related hospitalizations and fatalities, heightening their anxiety and contributing to feelings of despair. Some even experienced the death of a family member as a result of COVID.

The pandemic, however, also sparked a cultural shift towards open discussions about mental health and wellness. The stigma that once silenced these conversations quickly began to dissipate, creating an environment where people felt more comfortable opening up about their struggles. While this openness may explain the uptick in reported rates of suicidal ideation, it also facilitates supportive dialogue.

The Role of Social Media
Social media serves as a double-edged sword for youth. On the negative side, it perpetuates unrealistic standards, leading to unhealthy comparisons and feelings of inadequacy. Social media users tend to showcase their “best sides,” which skews perceptions of reality and can exacerbate underlying anxiety and depression to certain users. Social media can also promote harmful behaviors in schools including bullying and harassment.

Additionally, easy access to content about suicide poses risks to youth. Despite these challenges, social media can be a source of information for mental health and suicide prevention. Online resources can be life-saving – including for parents, who can benefit
from increased awareness of warning signs and strategies to support their children.

Tips for Parents
If you’re a parent concerned about your child’s mental health, consider the following tips:

1) Recognize Depressive Symptoms
• Loss of Interest: If your child no longer engages in activities they once enjoyed.
• Loss of enjoyment: Notice this sign in activities and things previously enjoyed.
• Changes in Eating and Sleeping: Deviations in usual patterns should be noted.
• Preoccupation with Death: Frequent talk about death or suicidal thoughts should not be dismissed.
• Low Energy and Fatigue: Persistent low energy levels.
• Traumatic Exposure: Past traumas that may affect their mental health.

2) Encourage Open Dialogue
Engaging in conversations about mental health and suicide is crucial.
• Ask Directly: Ask if your child has thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
• Validate Their Feelings: Listen empathetically and acknowledge their emotions.
• Connect Them with Trusted Adults: Encourage seeking support from other family members, mentors or counselors.
• Consult a Mental Health Professional: If concerns escalate, don’t hesitate to involve a professional.

Resources
For additional support, organizations like Children’s Institute offer resources and counseling for qualifying families. For families under Medi-Cal with youth 0-21 years of age that are seeking resources, please see here.

Additional Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Dial 988 from any phone, any time.
Essential Community Services – Dial 211
LA County Department of Mental Health – 1-800-854-7771 (24/7 hotline)
NAMI – A nonprofit organization focused on mental health advocacy efforts.

Kelly Hwang, LMFT Director of Intensive Behavioral Health at Children’s Institute

2024 Gala Honoree: Erin Westerman

Posted on September 17, 2024 at 2:59 pm.

Written by Hyesun Ahn

We are excited about our four “Cape & Gown Gala” honorees, who will be celebrated at our upcoming fundraising gala on Sunday, December 8 at the Skirball Cultural Center. As advocates and supporters of underserved children, families and communities, our honorees were selected for their humanitarianism and impact to society.

Today, we will be sitting down to meet Erin Westerman, Co-President of the Motion Picture Group at Lionsgate to better understand her desire to give back. Hello Erin and welcome to Children’s Institute! Thank you for making time to meet with us. Can you start off by sharing a little about yourself?

I am a mother of two – I have a seven-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son. As the Co-President of the Motion Picture Group at Lionsgate, I oversee a team, and our job is to build and manufacture the movies that get put into theaters with the Lionsgate logo on it. That includes Hunger Games, John Wick, Saw and more. Plus, there’s a lot of other smaller, original movies that we make throughout the year.

My proudest accomplishment to date, outside of having my children, is how I impacted Lionsgate’s maternity leave policy. While I was negotiating my contract, I found out that our maternity leave policy was the state minimum. While this is not uncommon for corporations given that that’s what the government suggests as a starting place, having just had a child, I was super aware that it wasn’t enough time off.

I decided to put into my contract that the company change their policy to allow for longer maternity leave if I was going to accept the offer. What’s amazing about Lionsgate is that, when faced with the data that supports all the good that a longer maternity leave can have and how little it actually costs the company, they changed their policy to give birth mothers five months of full pay plus four months of pay for the non-birth parent.

I will always feel so good that I found myself in a position to hold up a mirror and see that I helped create real change for the people that work at Lionsgate. I would say this is both the reason that I work at Lionsgate and have worked there for almost a decade.

Our North Star consists of four pillars which include educational success, emotional well-being, economic mobility and lifelong health. What part of our North Star resonates with you?

I grew up in the south side of Chicago and I’m very aware that many of the kids that I grew up with didn’t have what I had, which were parents who had the capacity to provide opportunities for me – not just financially but also emotionally and with their time. My parents put a lot of effort into creating opportunities for me to feel whole, to be challenged and to see opportunities.

That may look different for others but the possibilities that exist for people to succeed are impacted by whether or not they have someone in their life who’s capable of doing that for them. Because of my childhood and because of where I grew up in Chicago, I’m hyper-aware that the biggest indicator of my success has been having parents who believed in me. I can now look back on a lot of the kids I grew up with who were no less smart, no less deserving but who have not found themselves to be as lucky as me. One person who believes in you can change their life.

What’s amazing about Children’s Institute is that they look at the whole child, the whole family and can create capacity for parents to create those opportunities by filling in the holes or pointing people in directions to provide resources that that child or family need.

If you had a message to share with those who are better off and have more resources, what would it be?

I think that, especially if you have children, you become very aware of how important it is to provide for your children. It’s something I feel all the time. Whenever my children need something, nothing will stop me from helping them. No amount of money, resources, or time would stop me from doing what I can for them. Unfortunately, a lot of mothers, fathers and caregivers are not able to do that.

Now, for a more lighthearted question. If you were granted one wish, for the people we serve, what would that be? And why?

That’s a hard question! Well, I wish that we were more child friendly. I think that there are countries in Europe where everybody lifts up families and children. And I think in a lot of places, children are seen as being a burden. Even as somebody with resources, I feel like it’s still hard to raise children.

So, my wish would be that we had a community that did more of that.

One last question! When we were looking at the dresses we collect and hand out for our annual Prom2Go event, I noticed you had a reaction to them. Can you share what you were feeling in the moment?

Oh yeah! I love that you have an event focused on prom, because often, things like prom are deemed as extra and unnecessary. But when I look back on my own high school experience, I remember prom being one of the most joyous experiences I had.

The idea that Children’s Institute would take seriously something in a high schooler’s life like prom and provide resources for that while knowing that a new dress matters gets me very emotional.

If you would like to give back to the community while enjoying an evening celebrating our honorees at our 6th Annual “Cape & Gown Gala”, you can purchase corporate sponsorships or individual & group tickets here. Our “Cape & Gown Gala” will take place on Sunday, December 8 from 5-8pm at the Skirball Cultural Center.

Proceeds to the gala will go towards the services and programs helping the underserved children and families in our community.

Advancing Early Childhood Mental Health through Secure Attachments & Interventions

Posted on September 3, 2024 at 3:46 pm.

Written by Hyesun Ahn

At the recent Clarity Conference in San Antonio, Texas, Rosette Lee, a Senior Clinical Supervisor for our Behavioral Health and Wellness School-Aged team, led an insightful session that delved into the critical role of early childhood mental health. The session highlighted the profound and enduring impact of secure attachments, positive parenting and early interventions on a child’s long-term development and psychological well-being.

Drawing from her extensive clinical experience here at Children’s Institute, Rosette demonstrated the techniques employed by our therapists in addressing the mental health needs of babies and young children. She emphasized how early exposure to stress, trauma, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can significantly hinder a child’s cognitive, emotional and linguistic development. Without timely and appropriate intervention, these experiences may lead to lasting detriments in an individual’s overall health and growth.

The session underscored the importance of fostering mental health during the earliest years of life – a practice that is not yet widely implemented nationally despite its proven benefits. Rosette presented compelling evidence from both research and practice, reinforcing the necessity of early intervention as a protective measure against the adverse effects of childhood trauma.

The primary objectives of the session were as follows:

Highlighting the importance of early childhood relationships and mental health as fundamental to future growth and development.
Understanding the impact of early childhood trauma on cognitive, emotional, and linguistic development.
Raising awareness of protective factors and best practices in treating young children affected by stress, trauma and ACEs.

This session reaffirms our ongoing commitment to pioneering early intervention strategies in mental health care, aiming to promote healthier developmental outcomes for children.

Presented by Rosette Lee, Senior Clinical Supervisor (Behavioral Health & Wellness in Service Provider Area (SPA 6)

About the Clarity Conference: Claritycon is an annual educational conference that explores the internal and external factors that impact the emotional, psychological and social well-being of young people. Since its creation in 2013, the conference has grown to reach over 500 attendees ranging from educators, therapists, nurses, social workers and mental health professionals. The conference is hosted by Clarity.

Get to Know Your Reporter: Elena Epstein, Co-Owner & Creative Director of L.A. Parent Magazine

Posted on August 30, 2024 at 2:49 pm.

Written by Hyesun Ahn

“Get to Know Your Reporter” is a series of interviews we’re having with reporters & journalists covering topics that are both timely and relevant to our audiences. Our aim is to advocate for and highlight the issues that affect the children and families we serve, and one way is by providing information directly from experts in the field.

Elena Epstein is the co-owner and creative director of L.A. Parent Magazine and she shares with us how her cultural background and passion for journalism have shaped the trajectory of her career to becoming the co-owner of L.A. Parent Magazine & laparent.com.

Let’s start off by hearing about your background and your journey into journalism.

I was born in Tehran, Iran but when I was nine, which was also about the time the Iranian Revolution started, I immigrated to Los Angeles with my family. I have childhood memories of being an immigrant child and facing some challenges associated with acclimating to a different culture—including when I was an ESL (English as a Second Language) student, but I also had the responsibility of translating for my parents. I am so grateful we settled in Los Angeles, though, because it is such a diverse city.

Growing up in the Mid City neighborhood, I attended Fairfax High School, which is where I discovered my love for journalism. I started writing for the Colonial Gazette, our school newspaper, and though I was a quiet child who worried a lot about her accent, I found my new love. I overcame that feeling of self-consciousness through capturing other people’s stories. Having a reporter’s notebook in-hand gave me the confidence to approach people with questions which has carried over into my career.

After high school, I enrolled in California State University, Northridge (CSUN) where I studied journalism. I met my husband while working for the college newspaper, The Daily Sundial, and upon graduation, we transitioned from journalism into the publishing side, and I furthered my education to obtain a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Pepperdine University and began consulting for nonprofits, including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

During this time, we were raising two daughters and that’s when I became an avid reader of L.A. Parent Magazine. When our daughters were in high school, we heard that the business was for sale and we jumped at the opportunity. After all, my husband and I had dreamed of working together and we both had the desire to one day own our own business. We took a leap of faith, bought L.A. Parent Magazine and now we like to call it our third child.

L.A. Parent Magazine has a large and loyal following among young parents in Southern California. What is your motivation behind it and why do you create and curate the content you do?

For me, being a mother is the most important and challenging yet rewarding thing I have ever done. At the hospital, when the doctor first hands you your newborn child and tells you you’re ready to go home—that moment can be so daunting, especially for a first-time parent.

As a parent, you need support. Many people don’t have the benefit of having family members nearby, so I see L.A. Parent like a trusted friend or a next-door neighbor who is a little older and wiser and has been through this before. Someone who can reassure you by saying, “You know what? We get it. This is exhausting and it’s okay. No one has all the right answers, but you can do this.”

That is how I see every story we produce—that every article we publish should be a resource for parents and ultimately, we want to make parents’ lives easier so they can focus on more important things, including creating a joyful environment to connect with their families.

What is the main message that you would like to convey through your work?

Spend time together as a family. One-on-one time without electronic devices. We are lucky to live in a city with such incredible resources and free events on any given day. You can go to museums, parks, beaches or hiking trails together as a family unit. These are the moments that will create lifelong memories and that is what connects your kids to you, your culture and your family.

L.A. Parent has a huge online calendar of events and we recommend and feature many free things to do in the city. I think our message really boils down to that—spend time with your loved ones because that’s what makes life richer.

See below for the Calendar of Events on L.A. Parent featuring fun & free events for families.

Event Calendar | L.A. Parent | Los Angeles, CA