September was all about connection, community, and coming together across Penny Lane Centers’ Community and Family Resource Centers! Throughout the month, our CFRC teams created fun and meaningful opportunities for children, youth, and families to build relationships, share their voices, access valuable resources, and simply enjoy time together. From a family game night and an action-packed Mario Kart tournament to a Community Closet, Fall Festival, Back-to-School Night, and an Advisory Board meeting that put community voices front and center, our teams continued finding creative ways to meet families where they are.
Whether families were picking out a new outfit, racing toward the Mario Kart finish line, celebrating the arrival of fall, connecting with resources at their local school, or sharing ideas that will help shape future CFRC programming, every gathering had one thing in common: building stronger, more connected communities. These moments remind us that support can take many forms, and sometimes the most meaningful connections begin with a conversation, a shared meal, a little friendly competition, or simply having a place where you know you belong. Take a look back at some of the incredible moments our CFRC teams created throughout September!
September’s Youth Empowerment Group brought youth and their families together for a fun-filled Family Game Night focused on connection, laughter, and quality time together. Families enjoyed an evening of games and friendly competition while strengthening skills that help build healthy, resilient relationships. Through play, participants practiced communication, cooperation, problem-solving, good sportsmanship, and positive ways to manage emotions, all while creating special memories together.
The evening also highlighted important protective factors, including social connectedness, social and emotional competence, and family resiliency. Youth and family members practiced taking turns, encouraging one another, handling both winning and losing respectfully, and celebrating each other’s successes. Sharing these experiences gave families an opportunity to strengthen communication, work together as a team, and build the positive connections that can help them navigate challenges together. Of course, no family game night would be complete without food, so everyone also enjoyed Little Caesars pizza and drinks in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
To finish the night, everyone came together for an exciting game of Bingo, with one lucky winner taking home a TV dance mat! The prize was a fun ending to an evening filled with smiles, laughter, and meaningful family connection. Family Game Night was a wonderful reminder that strengthening families doesn’t always have to feel like work, sometimes it can happen over a slice of pizza, a little friendly competition, and a whole lot of fun!
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There are so many ways we express who we are—through music, art, creativity, and, of course, our personal style! Everyone deserves the opportunity to feel confident in what they wear and to have access to clothing that makes them feel good. With that idea in mind, the Community & Family Resource Center (CFRC) team put their creativity to work and created an event designed to combine practical support with a little fun and fashion. And just like that, the CFRC Community Closet was born!
CFRC’s Outreach Specialists went above and beyond to gather clothing and shoes for community members of all ages and sizes. The team carefully organized the event so families could easily browse through tables filled with different styles, sizes, and items. With clothing ranging from newborn sizes all the way through adult 3XL, everyone had an opportunity to find something just for them. Each participant was able to select two outfits and one pair of shoes, giving families an opportunity to refresh their wardrobes, express their individual style, and leave feeling confident and supported.
The Community Closet was also a wonderful example of Penny Lane staff coming together to support the people we serve. Generous donations from staff throughout the organization helped make an already special event even bigger. A special shout-out goes to our Clinic and Intensive Services teams, including Stevie Parker and Maria Martinez Rodriguez, who provided a fantastic selection of clothing and other items for community members to choose from. Their generosity helped ensure there was something for everyone and demonstrated what can happen when programs work together to meet the needs of our families.
And the support didn’t stop with clothing! Another special thank-you goes to George Mercado, who partnered with a representative from Metro to provide families with free prepaid TAP cards offering approximately two months of transportation. Access to reliable transportation can make an enormous difference for families, helping them get to work, school, appointments, services, and other important destinations throughout their communities. Families were able to leave the event not only looking good, but with an additional resource to help them stay connected and moving forward.
Of course, an event this good needed some great food! Our trusted food vendor, Tacos Mis Gueritos, kept everyone fueled throughout the day. Known for their delicious Jalisco-style cuisine, they switched things up with mouthwatering smash burgers, which quickly became a crowd favorite. Between the clothing, shoes, transportation support, delicious food, and welcoming atmosphere, the Community Closet became much more than a giveaway—it was a celebration of community, connection, and care.
This Community Closet was truly one for the books! More importantly, it represented what CFRC is all about: listening to the needs of our communities and finding creative, accessible, and meaningful ways to provide support. Our CFRC team continues to give their all to turn ideas like this into reality, helping families feel welcomed, valued, and connected to the resources they need. Whether it’s a new outfit, a pair of shoes, transportation assistance, a hot meal, or simply knowing someone is there to support you, CFRC will continue showing up for our communities in every way we can!
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At CFRC, some of our best ideas come directly from the people we serve! On September 21st, Daisy Gonzalez and Teresa Legaspi from the North Hills CFRC Outreach and Engagement team hosted our quarterly CFRC Advisory Board Meeting, bringing community members together to share their voices, experiences, and ideas for the future. We were thrilled to welcome 18 community members, along with CCRC as our guest speaker, for an engaging conversation about CFRC services, recent activities, available resources, and what families would like to see offered in the months ahead.
The meeting provided an important opportunity for participants to tell us what matters most to them and what types of programs could make a meaningful difference for their families. Community members shared several exciting ideas, including fatherhood workshops, arts and crafts activities, pottery classes for parents and children to enjoy together, and additional workshops and resources for families with children with special needs. These conversations help CFRC better understand the evolving needs of our community and identify new ways to create programming that is relevant, accessible, and engaging.
Participants also expressed strong interest in expanding resources for older youth and young adults, particularly as they prepare for greater independence. Suggestions included college preparation and support, academic counseling, GED and ESL classes, occupational and career-focused courses, and assistance for young adults learning how to navigate services and resources after turning 18. Community members also identified youth empowerment, mentorship, and substance use education as important areas they would like to see addressed through future CFRC workshops and activities.
These Advisory Board meetings are about much more than sharing updates, they are about listening. When community members have a seat at the table, they help guide the programs, resources, partnerships, and activities that CFRC works to provide. Their feedback allows our team to better understand where gaps may exist, what is working well, and where we can continue growing to meet families where they are. Every suggestion, question, and shared experience helps us build a stronger and more responsive CFRC.
While the adults participated in the meeting, our CFRC team made sure the children had a great evening too! Team members helped with logistics, food, and activities throughout the event, including a special Art Hour and pizza for the children who attended with their parents and caregivers. Creating a welcoming environment for the entire family allows parents and caregivers to participate fully while knowing their children are nearby, engaged, and having fun.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and shared their voice, and a special shout-out to the entire CFRC team for helping make the evening possible. Your ideas are helping shape what comes next, and we are excited to turn these conversations into meaningful programs, resources, and partnerships. When our community speaks, CFRC listens, and together, we can continue building a stronger, more connected community for everyone!
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Participants went head-to-head on the virtual racetrack, challenging their friends, sharpening their driving skills, and trying to avoid those dreaded banana peels and shells as they raced toward the finish line.
The tournament created a fun and welcoming space for youth to socialize, connect with their peers, and build new relationships. Whether they were behind the wheel or cheering from the sidelines, participants encouraged one another and shared plenty of laughs throughout the competition. Youth even had the opportunity to challenge Outreach and Engagement Specialist Daisy to a few races, creating another fun way for participants to connect and build positive relationships with a supportive adult.
While everyone was focused on making it across the finish line first, there was also plenty of learning happening along the way. Through friendly competition, youth strengthened their social and emotional competence by practicing communication, patience, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. Participants were encouraged to manage the excitement, and occasional frustration, that comes with competition in positive ways, while learning how to handle both winning and losing with respect.
The tournament also gave youth opportunities to celebrate one another’s successes. A great race wasn’t only about who finished in first place—it was about cheering on friends, congratulating competitors, laughing together, and enjoying the experience. Activities like these provide youth with a relaxed environment where they can practice important social skills while simply having fun and being themselves.
Most importantly, the Mario Kart Tournament demonstrated that meaningful connections can happen in all kinds of ways, even on a virtual racetrack! By creating activities that reflect the interests of young people, CFRC can provide spaces where youth feel comfortable participating, connecting, and building relationships with peers and trusted adults.
There may have been only one champion at the end of the tournament, but everyone walked away a winner after an afternoon of fun, friendship, and connection. Great job to all of our racers, and we’ll see you at the starting line for the next challenge!
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Living in the desert means fall sometimes takes a little longer to make its grand entrance! While the Antelope Valley may still be serving up plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures, that wasn’t going to stop the AV Community & Family Resource Center (CFRC) team from welcoming the new season in style. If the cooler weather wasn’t ready to arrive just yet, we decided we would bring the fall spirit to the community ourselves, and what better way to do that than with our very own Fall Festival!
Fall represents change, turning over a new leaf, and embracing new beginnings, and our team wanted to create an opportunity for families to celebrate that spirit together. We decided to take things up a notch and transform our seasonal celebration into a carnival-style Fall Festival filled with activities, entertainment, food, creativity, and plenty of opportunities for families to connect. From the moment families arrived, the goal was simple: create a welcoming space where everyone could relax, have fun, and make some special memories together.
CFRC partnered with several wonderful local businesses and community partners to help bring the celebration to life. Sparklette Artistry, a local face painter and balloon artist, added plenty of color and creativity to the festivities, while Sweets by Diana served up delicious mini pancakes that were a hit with families. GatherBlast brought an amazing gaming truck that gave older kids a space of their own to play, compete, and connect. And adding even more excitement to the day, Chick-fil-A joined the celebration with their famous cow mascot, who helped get families smiling, laughing, and into the festival spirit.
The CFRC team also created a variety of activity stations so children and families had something new to enjoy around every corner. Families tested their skills with Giant Jenga and Giant Connect 4, while one of the biggest hits of the day was the DIY Tote Bag Station. Children and adults had the chance to show off their artistic sides by designing personalized bags they could take home as a reminder of their day together. Whether families were creating, playing games, enjoying treats, or simply spending time together, there was something for everyone.
Beyond all the games and activities, the Fall Festival was really about connection and community. Events like these give families a chance to step away from their everyday routines, meet their neighbors, connect with CFRC staff and community partners, and enjoy positive experiences together. Seeing children laughing, parents connecting, and families making memories reminded us exactly why creating these opportunities is so important.
The desert may not have gotten the message that fall has arrived, but AV CFRC certainly did! The day was filled with smiles, laughter, creativity, and countless memories in the making. A huge thank-you goes to our community partners, participating families, and the entire CFRC team whose hard work and creativity made the celebration possible. Our Fall Festival was truly one for the books, and we can’t wait to see what the next season brings!
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A new school year brings new opportunities, new connections, and new beginnings! CFRC North Hills was excited to join students, parents, and school staff at James Monroe High School’s Back-to-School Night, where our team had the opportunity to introduce families to the many resources and services available right in their community. Outreach and Engagement Specialists Anna Macedo and Karla Lopez, along with Case Manager Janette Soriano, represented CFRC and spent the evening connecting with families, answering questions, and sharing information about how Penny Lane Centers can provide support throughout the school year and beyond.
Throughout the evening, students and families learned more about CFRC North Hills’ wide variety of free programs, workshops, activities, and community resources. The team highlighted the Youth Empowerment Group, which provides young people with opportunities to connect, build skills, develop confidence, and participate in fun and meaningful activities with their peers. Families were also able to learn about additional CFRC services and how our team can help connect them to resources based on their individual needs.
Of course, CFRC couldn’t show up to Back-to-School Night without bringing a little extra fun! To celebrate the start of the new school year, the team held a raffle featuring backpacks and water bottles for students. The giveaways provided some added excitement to the evening while giving the CFRC team another opportunity to engage with students and parents in a fun and welcoming way.
Events like Back-to-School Night are an important part of CFRC’s commitment to meeting families where they are. By being present at schools and other community events, our Outreach and Engagement team can build relationships with families who may not yet know about the many services available to them. Sometimes a simple conversation at a resource table can be the first step toward connecting a family with a workshop, support service, youth activity, or resource that can make a meaningful difference.
Partnerships with local schools also help strengthen the network of support surrounding children, youth, and families in our community. When schools, families, and community organizations work together, we can help ensure that young people have access to the tools, encouragement, and opportunities they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
A big thank-you to James Monroe High School for welcoming CFRC North Hills and giving us the opportunity to connect with students and families. We’re looking forward to continuing to strengthen our relationships with local schools and making sure families know that CFRC is here, ready to connect, support, and help our community thrive!
