On December 17, 2025, our Community & Family Resource Center (CFRC) hosted a heartwarming holiday event for the community, creating a welcoming and supportive space where families could come together to prepare for the Christmas season.
During the event, parents and caregivers were invited to choose gifts for their children and wrap them on site, allowing them to take part in creating a meaningful and personal holiday experience for their families. As they wrapped gifts, caregivers enjoyed tamales and warm champurrado, adding a comforting and festive touch to the day.
In addition, CFRC received a donation of a full pallet of snacks, which were distributed to families to help ensure children had nourishment and treats during the holiday season. Overall, more than 100 families benefited from this event, receiving support, resources, and holiday cheer.
A special thank you to the CFRC team, whose dedication, teamwork, and commitment made this event possible. Their efforts helped create a joyful, respectful, and welcoming experience for the families we serve.
This CFRC holiday event reflected our continued commitment to supporting families with dignity, care, and compassion. When community and teamwork come together, we can create meaningful support and lasting holiday memories.
Check out some more photos below!
On December 19, 2025, our center was filled with holiday cheer thanks to the generosity of SMART Local 105, who helped make this year’s Christmas celebration truly special. Through their kindness and support, nearly 200 children and families received Christmas gifts, bringing joy, excitement, and smiles during this magical season. In addition to the gifts, SMART Local 105 also provided delicious cookies that added an extra festive touch to the day.
Adding to the fun and holiday spirit, Santa Claus and the Grinch made special appearances, delighting children and families alike and creating unforgettable moments filled with laughter, photos, and cheer.
This meaningful event would not have been possible without the commitment of community partners who believe in supporting children and families. We are deeply grateful to SMART Local 105 for their generosity and for helping create lasting holiday memories for the families we serve.
Our Senior Director of Intensive Services, Daisy De Jesus, along with our Regional Director, German Ortiz, personally shared their appreciation and thanks to SMART Local 105 for making this event possible and for their continued support of our mission.
We would also like to extend a special thank you to Luz Quiros, whose collaboration and dedication were instrumental in coordinating this event and ensuring everything came together seamlessly. Her hard work and commitment helped create a joyful and successful celebration for our children and families.
Moments like these remind us of the power of community, compassion, and collaboration. Because of partners like SMART Local 105 and the incredible efforts of our team, the holiday season was brighter and filled with hope for the children and families we serve.
Happy New Year!
Check out some more photos below!
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved friend, longtime EDGY partner, and cherished member of the extended Penny Lane Centers family, Marsha Aizumi, following her incredibly brave and grace-filled battle with cancer. Marsha was more than a colleague or presenter—she was a guiding light whose kindness, wisdom, and genuine love filled every space she entered. She had a rare ability to make people feel seen, valued, and supported, and her presence left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing her.
For more than a decade, Marsha played an integral role in shaping EDGY and strengthening its heart-centered mission. Her unwavering commitment to the LGBTQIA community—especially to Trans youth and their families—helped define the spirit of the conference and the work we continue to do today. She showed up with courage, compassion, and fierce advocacy, always centering love, healing, and justice. Her laughter, warmth, and authenticity helped create spaces where people felt safe to be their full selves.
Marsha was also a devoted adoptive parent, a role that was deeply intertwined with both her advocacy and her heart. Her lived experience as a parent informed her work and reinforced her belief that every child deserves to be loved, affirmed, and supported exactly as they are. This part of Marsha’s life aligns so closely with Penny Lane Centers’ mission and serves as a powerful reminder of why family, belonging, and unconditional care matter so deeply in the work we do every day.
Marsha’s impact reached far beyond conference rooms and stages. She modeled what it looks like to lead with empathy, to advocate with intention, and to love without conditions. Through her words and actions, she reminded us that meaningful change begins with listening, showing up, and standing alongside those most impacted. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and the community she helped nurture.
On behalf of Penny Lane Centers, we have shared our love and condolences with Aiden and Marsha’s family, honoring the profound role she played in our work and in our hearts. As we move forward, we invite our community to keep Aiden, Mary, and their family in your thoughts, and to honor Marsha by continuing to lead with compassion, courage, and care—just as she taught us to do.
With a heavy heart,
-Cameron Glasgow, Penny Lane Centers
-Naomi Novak, Penny Lane Centers
We are proud to recognize Viola Luna Garcia, QA Specialist, as the December 2025 YAYA Award recipient. Viola was nominated in recognition of her strong work ethic, positive energy, and exceptional ability to collaborate effortlessly with colleagues across North Hills Intensive Services. Her heart-centered approach and willingness to share knowledge have made a meaningful impact, and she is consistently available to support others and help teams succeed.
Viola’s presence brings reassurance, encouragement, and clarity to the work we do. As shared by Letty Perez, IS Therapist, “I want to recognize Viola for all of the support that she brings to all our teams. Viola reassures me that everyone makes mistakes, that it’s okay, and we can fix it.” This mindset not only strengthens our teams, but also fosters a culture of growth, learning, and trust.
Congratulations, Viola, and thank you for embodying the spirit of the YAYA Award. Your dedication, compassion, and collaborative leadership continue to make a difference, and we are grateful for the positive impact you bring to Penny Lane Centers every day.
-Letty Perez & Gabriela Morquecho, Penny Lane Centers
