Eastmont Community Center Receives $100,000 Grant from LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis
EAST LOS ANGELES, CA — The grant lays the groundwork for Eastmont's current and long-term vision for its facilities, so that Eastmont can expand child care, emergency food assistance programs, and respond to what the community needs. The funds will be used to update the organization’s land use and business zoning with Los Angeles County.
What This Investment Makes Possible
The grant is an important step toward:
Expanding infant and toddler child care. Eastmont has renovated an additional classroom, and the grant supports the approvals needed to pursue California State Licensing so that space may be used for additional child care services.
Advancing workforce solutions through a community kitchen. Eastmont operates a newly renovated community kitchen and is pursuing a social enterprise model that would create employment opportunities for older adults while generating sustainable revenue for community programs.
Building an improved community center. Eastmont's long-term goal is to bring its two adjacent properties together as an improved community center capable of supporting child care, workforce development, adult education, food security, and while offering community space.
Child Care at Eastmont Learning Center
Care is free for eligible families through funding from the California Department of Social Services and its Child Care and Development Division. Adding an additional licensed classroom would help Eastmont serve a total of 48 infants and toddlers instead of our current capacity of 28. This program supports working families who need safe, nurturing, and affordable care close to home or their job while connecting them to the array of resources available at the center.
Last year, Eastmont helped families save an estimated $372,000 in childcare related costs.
Investing in Eastmont’s Infrastructure for Decades to Come
Capital improvement funding is highly competitive and often requires significant time, expertise, and financial investment that can be challenging for community-based nonprofits like Eastmont Community Center with limited staff capacity. This grant will accelerate Eastmont's efforts to update its land-use and entitlement permits, a critical step toward maximizing the use of its community center. By advancing the planning and review process, the grant will help remove barriers that currently limit the center's full potential, laying the foundation for expanded access to high-demand social and human services for families, children, and seniors in East Los Angeles.
A Cornerstone of East Los Angeles for More Than 56 Years
Originally established as Eastmont Christian Church in 1952 and then as Eastmont Community Center in 1968, the facility has provided essential services to East Los Angeles individuals and families for more than 56 years.
“While this grant supports a formal administrative planning process, its impact extends far beyond. It advances the groundwork for Eastmont's long term vision by expanding our capacity to serve more families, strengthening community well-being, and growing programs that help children and families. On behalf of our leadership and families we serve, we are deeply appreciative of Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and her office for being a trusted partner in building a stronger future for East Los Angeles.” - Isaias Hernandez, Executive Director
Help Build What Comes Next
Public investment helps move this vision forward. We invite foundations, businesses, banks, and individual supporters to invest in Eastmont's work through donations, sponsorships, partnerships, or volunteer support to help expand opportunities and services for local residents.
To donate, sponsor, partner, or volunteer, please call (323) 726-7998.
About Eastmont Community Center
Eastmont Community Center is the only multi-service 501(c)(3) community-based nonprofit located in unincorporated East Los Angeles. Eastmont’s mission is to support a thriving community through empowerment, social services, and programs that elevate civic, social, and economic well-being.
