Celebrating Community, Connection, and a Whole Lot of Fun
On May 1st, the North Hills office came together for our Spring Fling 2025; A celebration rooted in one powerful idea: pausing the busyness of work to reconnect, recharge, and revel in the vibrant community we’ve built.
The evening kicked off with a warm welcome from the NH Leadership Team, who reminded us of the importance of celebrating one another and fostering cross-program connection. From there, the party was in full swing!
Tacos were served, laughter echoed, and friendly competition took over with Bingo, a hidden bunny hunt, and a thrilling 50/50 raffle. The energy was electric, and our winners met with well-earned applause.
Of course, no celebration is complete without great music—Mr. Alred kept the dance floor alive with an unforgettable playlist, while our incredible bartenders poured champagne and good cheer in equal measure.
Here are just a few of the heartfelt comments shared after the event:
“Couldn’t agree more! I saw so many happy faces. People that don’t usually interact laughing together. Definitely felt like a community!”
“You all hit it out of the park last night! I loved what you said, how you said it, and I have no doubt your message was received by all. You are all rock stars ❤”
“Thank you to all who came out to the Spring Fling and made it a memorable event. Special thanks to the volunteer leaders and Mr. Sean, who kept the music flowing all night long!”
“I woke up feeling tired, but once I got to the patio and felt the energy you all brought, I was completely rejuvenated. Nothing is more revitalizing than being around a vibrant community of healers.”
“The collaboration and camaraderie among everyone involved were truly palpable. Please congratulate everyone on your team—it was amazing!”
“Your dedication to building a strong, connected, and committed team does not go unnoticed. Thank you for making this event, and our work family, something truly special.”
“We saw very happy faces enjoying the event. This morning, people are commenting on how much fun they had.”
“So much fun! Thank you for putting this together.”
“It was just beautiful. It felt like a family cookout.”
“Last night was such a hit and I am more than happy with the way everything turned out! There was so much joy all around it I think it was everything we hoped for.”
To everyone who came out, danced, mingled, and made memories: thank you for being the heart of this event. May the energy we created together carry us forward until our next gathering.
Check out some more photos below!
Please join us in celebrating this month’s YAYA Award recipient—Leslie Rojas-Tufino, one of our incredible CFS team members!
Leslie was nominated by our previous YAYA winner, Tommy, who had this to say:
“It’s a true pleasure to recognize someone whose dedication, passion, consistency, and genuine care for others continually shine. Leslie inspires her colleagues through her work ethic and brings meaningful impact to the lives of the families we serve. She leads with heart, and it shows in everything she does.”
Thank you, Leslie, for embodying the spirit of Penny Lane and for making such a difference every single day. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
-Mark Cruz, Penny Lane Centers
Check out some more photos below!
This month, we welcomed spring with a joyful and engaging Egg Hunt Celebration that brought together families, community partners, and lots of fun!
Leading up to the big event, we hosted an exciting Spirit Week! Each day had a different fun theme, and it was a great way to build excitement and bring our community together. One of our wonderful residents, Lisa, truly embodied the spirit of the week—she showed up every day in a different outfit and brought so much joy and enthusiasm. Not only that, but she even helped us hide the eggs for the big hunt. Big shout-out to Lisa for her incredible participation and support!
Over 15 families who RSVP’d were invited to participate in the egg hunt, where a whopping 300 eggs were hidden throughout the area. Laughter and excitement filled the air as children searched high and low for the colorful treasures.
We were thrilled to be joined by four amazing organizations that came to share their resources with our community:
A special thank you to Send Relief, who went above and beyond by providing hotdogs and drinks not only for the event attendees but for the entire Sun Commons building. Their generosity truly made the day extra special. To make the event even more memorable, we set up photo backdrops so families could snap pictures and capture the day’s fun. Adults had their own exciting activity—a bunny scavenger hunt! Five bunnies were hidden around the playground, and adults could search for just one per household. Winners received a practical and appreciated prize: detergent and soap. Let’s just say—the competition was fierce!
Thank you to everyone who joined us. We loved seeing the smiles, the energy, and the spirit of community. Stay tuned for more events coming soon!
-Evelyn Pacheco, Penny Lane Centers
Check out some more photos below!
On Monday, April 14, the Relative Services Programs hosted a heartwarming Resource Family Appreciation Event at IHOP in San Fernando. In celebration of our families and in alignment with LAUSD’s spring break, we served 60 delicious breakfast meals to our clients offering a thoughtful break for caregivers and a joyful experience for the children.
This special timing allowed families who were home for spring break to come together, enjoy a meal, and be reminded of how valued they are. Alongside breakfast, children received a variety of donated gifts including toys, board games, stuffed animals, and books perfect for creating fun and lasting memories during their time off from school.
Donations were also extended to members of the surrounding community. Our staff went above and beyond, engaging with families and community members with warmth and compassion. The gratitude expressed by attendees was heartfelt, and the positive energy throughout the morning was truly uplifting.
It was a beautiful event that highlighted the power of kindness, connection, and community.
-Christy Anaya, Penny Lane Centers
Check out some more photos below!
On Wednesday, 4/30, Penny Lane joined communities across the country to observe Denim Day, a meaningful initiative that brings awareness to the realities of sexual violence and shows solidarity with survivors.
Denim Day originated after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court, where a sexual assault conviction was overturned because the justices argued that the victim’s tight jeans implied consent. The following day, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans in protest, sparking a global movement.
By wearing denim, we stand against harmful myths, victim-blaming, and the silence surrounding sexual assault.
Penny Lane has a long-standing commitment to supporting victims of violence and will always advocate for the safety, dignity, and empowerment of women and all survivors. This day reflects the values we uphold every day—compassion, justice, and respect.
Thank you for standing with us.
Check out some more photos below!
At Penny Lane Centers, we believe in stepping up for families during their most difficult moments—and our Kinship Program does just that. When a crisis hits and a child can no longer live with their parents, kinship caregivers—often grandparents, aunts, uncles, or even close family friends—open their homes and hearts to keep children with those they know and trust. It's a vital program rooted in love, stability, and second chances.
And behind every great program is someone who brings it to life.
Meet Lenzy Phillips, one of the incredible team members at Penny Lane who makes our Kinship Program thrive. In the first episode of People You Should Know, Lenzy shares what drives him, how he supports caregivers and youth through unimaginable situations, and why this work matters so deeply.
His story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when compassion meets commitment. Whether it's guiding a family through the foster care system or helping a grandmother navigate new responsibilities, Lenzy shows up with grace, knowledge, and genuine care—every single day.
We’re proud to have people like Lenzy on our team and to be one of the few agencies offering Kinship services in the way that we do.
Watch Episode 1 now and see why we’re so proud of our Kinship Program and the people who power it: Saving Families in Crisis
This is why our staff is amazing. This is Penny Lane.
Every now and then, we receive a message that reminds us why we do this work—and this one truly touched our hearts. One of our CalWORKs clients recently shared how a simple visit to a community pumpkin patch led to life-changing support from the Penny Lane team. Their words are a powerful reflection of the compassion, dedication, and impact our AV staff bring to their work every day. From front desk to case management, this team shows up and shows out. Check out what they had to say:
I never knew about you guys before and I saw the table at a pumpkin patch and my whole life has changed since I've known about Penny Lane. Everyone goes above and beyond and I have a great group of women that understand and always do so much. They have helped so much when I didn't know what I was going to do and all of them were there and showed up and showed out 100%. Every time I speak to one of them, I feel better than when I first came to the office or picked up the phone. Everyone from the security guard to each staff member are so understanding and thoughtful. They all really care and that isn’t usual. I am so appreciative for Penny Lane and especially, Ingrid, Illiana, and Cynthia.
It was wonderful to see such an incredible turnout at the 2025 Disaster Fair hosted at Pierce College! This annual event brought together community members, service providers, and families to focus on one vital goal: being prepared. From wildfires and earthquakes to power outages and personal safety—attendees walked away with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to better handle emergencies and disasters.
We were especially proud to see several Penny Lane families actively participating in the day’s hands-on workshops and educational sessions. It was heartening to witness parents and children learning side-by-side about how to stay safe and support one another when it matters most.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who stopped by, engaged with our team, and took the time to invest in their family’s well-being. Events like this remind us that preparedness is not just about having a plan—it's about building strong, informed, and connected communities.
Check out some more photos below!
