On Monday, November 24th, our Community and Family Resource Center (CFRC) celebrated the grand opening of its resource room located at our Penny Lane North Hills facility. In collaboration with Relative Support Services (RSS), we were proud to provide 150 Thanksgiving dinners to families in need. Each meal included a turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni and cheese, and a delicious pie.
The day began by welcoming clients, families, and community members into the resource room, where they received an overview of the CFRC program and the wide range of services available. Case managers staff the resource room Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., to assist clients and walk-ins with services and referrals.
Guests then moved to our main facility patio, beautifully decorated with a festive Thanksgiving balloon arch and filled with the sounds of holiday music, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Staff distributed the Thanksgiving dinners and gladly assisted any guests who needed help carrying their meals to their vehicles.
The event showcased the dedication and collaboration of staff from both programs, who worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth, joyful, and memorable experience for everyone. Feedback from recipients was overwhelmingly positive, with families expressing heartfelt gratitude for the support and generosity demonstrated.
This celebration not only marked the official opening of the CFRC resource room but also highlighted our ongoing commitment to serving the community with compassion, resources, and care.
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The YAYA! for November 2025 goes to Leticia Perez! This month, we proudly celebrate Lety for her remarkable dedication and her ability to shine brightly even in the most challenging moments. Colleagues share that when tensions rise or situations become overwhelming, Lety is often the calming presence who steps in—not with fanfare, but with grace, steadiness, and compassion. Her integrity and reliability have become hallmarks of her work, and her unwavering commitment to excellence elevates not only her own practice, but the work of the entire HSSP team. Lety’s willingness to go above and beyond, often without recognition, speaks volumes about her character and her heart-centered leadership.
What truly sets Lety apart is the intentional way she shows up for others—whether it’s advocating for clients, supporting coworkers, or ensuring that small but meaningful tasks don’t fall through the cracks. Her positivity isn’t performative; it is rooted in purpose, patience, and a genuine desire to help people thrive. Lety embodies Penny Lane’s values in action, creating a ripple effect of kindness and professionalism that strengthens our community and inspires those around her. We are beyond grateful for all she brings to our agency and are thrilled to honor her with this well-deserved recognition.
Congratulations, Lety!
Keep shining—your light makes a difference every single day.
On October 29th, Penny Lane Centers had the pleasure of attending the Logix Federal Credit Union Halloween All Staff Meeting to help kick off their Toy Story themed Toy Drive benefiting Penny Lane families. The event, filled with creativity, laughter, and Halloween spirit, served as a powerful reminder of the impact that community collaboration can have on the lives of local families in need.
Christy Anaya, CFRC Regional Director, represented Penny Lane Centers and shared heartfelt stories about families who are working hard to overcome financial and emotional challenges. She spoke about how donations from the Toy Drive will bring joy and relief to underprivileged children and parents during the holiday season, easing financial stress and reminding them that their community cares.
In her presentation, Christy highlighted how Penny Lane Centers’ mission to foster hope, healing, and growth for children, youth, and families in our communities aligns closely with the values of Logix Federal Credit Union, an organization deeply rooted in service and generosity. Together, this partnership exemplifies the power of community connection and compassion in action.
The Logix All Staff Meeting was nothing short of inspiring. Staff came dressed in creative Halloween costumes, and the energy in the room was vibrant and welcoming. Penny Lane Centers is deeply grateful to Logix for their continued partnership and commitment to making a difference. Thanks to their generosity, many children will experience a brighter, more joyful holiday season filled with hope and a few new toys to spark their imagination.
-Christy Anaya, Penny Lane Centers
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-Naomi Novak, Penny Lane Centers
Over 100 Families Supported at Thanksgiving Giveaway
On Tuesday, November 25, the Community Family Resource Center (CFRC) team from AV proudly hosted its first-ever Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway, marking an unforgettable milestone for this new and rapidly growing program. What began as an idea shaped by passion and community commitment transformed into a day filled with warmth, gratitude, and meaningful connection.
This year’s event was organized as a convenient and family-friendly drive-through. Families remained comfortably in their vehicles while the CFRC AV team greeted them with warm smiles, handed out turkeys and holiday food vouchers, and offered champurrado and freshly made tamales. The smooth flow and thoughtful setup ensured every family received support with ease and dignity.
From early morning preparations to the final distribution, the CFRC AV team came together with purpose and heart. With thoughtful organization and teamwork, staff provided 100 turkeys and holiday food vouchers, ensuring families had everything they needed to prepare a meaningful Thanksgiving meal. For many families, this support brought relief, joy, and a reminder that their community cares deeply about their well-being.
What truly stood out is that this entire event was 100% CFRC AV led. No partners, just a committed team working with intention, compassion, and unity. This first community event has already begun shaping the identity of CFRC AV as a program rooted in service, care, and real impact.
The success of this event would not have been possible without the dedication of the CFRC AV team: Eline Bolainez, Keolani Alvarez, Daisy Gonzalez, Michelle Rogel, Maria Martinez Mora, Janet Magaña, Diana Reyes, Martha Saavedra, and Lissette Carlos.
Each team member played a critical role from organizing materials, preparing food, welcoming families, and ensuring every turkey and voucher reached a grateful household. Their teamwork and heart were evident in every detail.
As a new program, CFRC AV is already demonstrating its capacity to uplift families and strengthen our local community. This Turkey Giveaway is only the beginning. With this team’s passion and dedication, CFRC AV is on a strong path toward creating long-lasting, positive change for the Antelope Valley.
“Gratitude grows where kindness is served.”
-Madeline Sacba, Penny Lane Centers
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This Christmas season, our furry friends received an extra dose of love thanks to the generosity of PetSmart, who once again came through in the most wonderful way. Their thoughtful donation of pet food, toys, treats, and supplies will make an incredible difference for the children, youth, and families we serve—many of whom rely on their pets for comfort, companionship, and emotional support during challenging times. Acts of kindness like this remind us that caring for families means caring for every member of the household, paws included!
We are absolutely thrilled to share these items with our families and cannot wait to witness the joy they bring. Pets are more than animals—they are trusted friends, loyal listeners, and an essential source of unconditional love. Thanks to PetSmart’s continued partnership and heartwarming holiday spirit, countless pets and their families will feel seen, supported, and celebrated this season. From everyone at Penny Lane, and from every wagging tail and happy purr—thank you, PetSmart! Your generosity truly makes a difference.
-Erik Ingebrigtsen, Penny Lane Centers
The All-Free Annual Disaster Preparedness Fair is a powerful community event dedicated to raising awareness and teaching practical steps that individuals and families can take to stay safe during emergencies and disasters. Designed with accessibility and inclusivity in mind, the fair is ADA-friendly, family-oriented, and packed with valuable resources. Attendees are able to engage with exhibitors, hear from expert speakers, and participate in hands-on presentations that make preparedness both approachable and empowering. The information shared at this event can truly make a life-saving difference—whether it’s protecting yourself, your loved ones, or even your pets in a crisis.
This year, we were thrilled to have several Penny Lane families join us at the fair, hosted at the Rams Stadium in Woodland Hills. A special highlight of the day was celebrating Dave Brown, who was honored with plaques from various city officials recognizing his outstanding dedication to helping communities prepare for all types of disasters. His commitment serves as a remarkable reminder that preparation is not just important—it’s essential. It’s never too late to get prepared, and we are grateful for opportunities like this fair that help our families gain the knowledge and confidence to stay safe, informed, and ready for whatever comes their way.
-Erik Ingebrigtsen, Penny Lane Centers
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