Relative Support Services brought smiles and laughter to families this Valentine’s Day with a joyful gathering at Chuck E. Cheese. The event created a welcoming space where children could play games, share pizza, and simply enjoy being kids, while caregivers had the opportunity to relax and connect with one another. The room was filled with excitement as families celebrated together in a warm and supportive environment.
Beyond the games and fun, the gathering offered something even more meaningful—connection. Families were able to spend time together outside of their daily routines while building relationships with other caregivers who share similar experiences. These moments of community help remind families that they are not alone and that support is always within reach.
Each family received special Valentine treats, and every child left with a small gift—simple gestures that carried a powerful message: you are seen, valued, and appreciated. Events like this reflect the heart of the Relative Support Services program, which continues to show up for families by creating opportunities for joy, connection, and meaningful support.
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In February, a packed audience gathered at LOOK Cinemas in Glendale for a powerful screening of Dirty Drugs – The Crisis of Addiction and Overdose, a short documentary commissioned by the Glendale Police Department’s Substance Abuse and Wellness Resource Program in partnership with the City of Glendale. The film takes an unflinching look at the devastating impact fentanyl and substance use are having on individuals, families, and communities. Through real stories and expert insight, the documentary underscores the urgent need for prevention, education, and coordinated community response.
Following the screening, Penny Lane staff member Azad Abed-Stephen served as a featured panelist, bringing both lived experience and professional expertise shaped by years of work in substance use and behavioral health within the Glendale community. During the discussion, Azad spoke candidly about the intergenerational nature of addiction and the role that shame can play in keeping families stuck in cycles of silence. His perspective offered attendees both honesty and hope, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue and community support.
Azad also provided education on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), resilience, and codependency, helping attendees better understand how addiction impacts not only the individual but the entire family system. He addressed the unique cultural dynamics within Armenian family systems that can sometimes complicate help-seeking, while also highlighting the strength and resilience that families bring when they begin to confront these challenges together.
The conversation broadened to explore how the rise of fentanyl and increasing homelessness have shifted the treatment landscape toward more harm-reduction–informed approaches. Panelists discussed how law enforcement agencies, including the Glendale Police Department, are evolving from arrest-focused responses toward more responder-based, wellness-oriented strategies. The evening ultimately reflected a growing commitment within Glendale to collaborative, education-driven solutions—bringing together public safety, healthcare professionals, community organizations, and residents to address addiction with both compassion and accountability.
-Azad Abed-Stephen, Penny Lane Centers
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On February 9th, Penny Lane Centers’ Community & Family Resource Center (CFRC) hosted a heartwarming “Valentine & Me” event that brought caregivers and children together for an evening filled with connection, creativity, and joy. Families were welcomed into a festive space designed to celebrate love, bonding, and quality time. From the moment they arrived, the room buzzed with excitement as children and caregivers prepared to spend a special evening creating and celebrating together.
Throughout the evening, families enjoyed working side-by-side on Valentine’s Day crafts, painting ceramics, and designing colorful canvas artwork. Children proudly showcased their creativity, carefully painting their ceramic pieces and expressing themselves through imaginative designs on canvas. It was inspiring to see their confidence shine as they shared their creations with their families and cheered one another on.
A special photo station allowed families to capture sweet memories together—moments filled with smiles, laughter, and love that will last far beyond the holiday. Dinner from Stonefire Grill was also provided, giving families the opportunity to sit down, relax, and enjoy a meal together. For some families, having dinner provided helped ease financial stress and created space to simply focus on being present with one another.
More than just a holiday celebration, “Valentine & Me” was an intentional opportunity to strengthen bonds between caregivers and children. Through crafting, laughing, eating, and celebrating together, families were able to build meaningful memories and deepen their connections. Events like this reflect CFRC’s ongoing commitment to supporting families not only through services and resources, but also by creating experiences that nurture resilience, belonging, and community.
-Christy Anaya, Penny Lane Centers
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This Valentine’s Day, our team took time to celebrate one another during a festive Valentine’s Day Team Celebration filled with laughter, appreciation, and connection. Staff came together for a potluck-style gathering, bringing a wide variety of delicious dishes to share. From homemade sweet treats to savory favorites, the table quickly filled up—but even more noticeable was the room filled with laughter, conversation, and camaraderie.
In the spirit of the holiday, team members exchanged Valentine’s cards, offering kind words, encouragement, and gratitude to one another. These simple gestures served as a meaningful reminder of the supportive culture we continue to nurture across our teams. Taking a moment to recognize one another’s contributions helped strengthen the sense of appreciation and belonging that makes Penny Lane such a special place to work.
The celebration also included interactive games that sparked friendly competition and plenty of smiles. The activities created opportunities for staff to connect outside of their day-to-day responsibilities while reinforcing collaboration and team spirit. It was refreshing to step away from the usual routine and simply enjoy time together.
Events like this reflect our ongoing commitment to building community, strengthening relationships, and celebrating the incredible people who make Penny Lane’s work possible. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the day so memorable. Here’s to continuing to foster connection, positivity, and team spirit throughout the year. 💕
-Kendra Wilson, Penny Lane Centers
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The UMCR team recently responded to a call involving a Hispanic male in his mid-50s who had recently become unhoused and was seeking assistance with shelter placement within the San Fernando Valley. When the team connected with the individual, they learned that he was actively attending medical appointments in the area and hoped to remain close to his healthcare providers. While shelter availability within the Valley is often limited, the UMCR team immediately began working to identify possible options and provide support.
During the initial interaction, the team shared information about available shelter placements, including options located in Downtown Los Angeles. However, the individual expressed concern about relocating far from his medical providers and declined the Downtown LA options. Understanding the importance of maintaining access to healthcare, UMCR focused on providing immediate support while working toward a solution that honored the individual’s needs and circumstances. The team provided tap cards for transportation along with snacks and water to help meet immediate needs.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, UMCR quickly submitted a referral through LAHSA’s LAHOP system requesting outreach support to assist the individual with connection to a case manager and temporary housing resources. This referral helped activate a coordinated outreach response to ensure the individual would not fall through the cracks while waiting for available services.
Within just one day of submitting the referral, UMCR received confirmation from LAHSA that the individual had been successfully located by an outreach team. When UMCR followed up in the Clarity/HMIS system, they saw that an outreach case manager from LA Family Housing had created a client profile and secured a hotel voucher for temporary housing. This outcome highlights the effectiveness of the UMCR team’s quick action, persistence, and coordination with community partners—demonstrating how responsive outreach and collaboration can lead to immediate, life-changing support for individuals experiencing homelessness.
-Karina Wynn, Estephanie Martinez, & Patty Flores, Penny Lane Centers
-Naomi Novak, Penny Lane Centers
