In East Los Angeles, nonprofit organizations and volunteers make the city go round. The community relies on these groups for services such as free bus tokens, health education, and weekend events for family fun.
"I have grown up going to these community events and now that I am older, I realize how important they are to my community," Mariana Lara, a student volunteer, said.
While East LA may not have as many different nonprofits as some of its neighboring communities, because of city funding limits, there are still a number of programs made available by organizations for the community each week.
One nonprofit in particular, Volunteers of East Los Angeles or VELA, which means candle in Spanish, is a key collaborator for East LA's community events.
Monica Lerma, VELA's new project manager as of the last three months, has worked in nonprofit for 20 years and says the connections VELA makes are extraordinary.
"It is the nature of organizations like us to work together, but I feel that VELA and the surrounding nonprofits are constantly going above and beyond to put together awesome events to empower the East LA community," Lerma said.
Lerma calls the organization, "the little nonprofit that could" as it only has 10 staff members.
Despite its small staff, VELA's efforts are extensive and expansive, addressing all different needs in the community.
Two events that have happened most recently in East LA that VELA has contributed to were the Mexican America Opportunity Foundation's Health Fair and CicLAvia.
MAOF's Health Fair brought together a variety of organizations to educate the public on healthy living tips as well as to showcase them on the different services they offer. Groups represented included Wallgreens, Planned Parenthood, Red Cross, National Alliance for Hispanic Health and the Health Americas Foundation among other local organizations. They also offered free health screenings and flu shots.
"This is a great opportunity for our organizations to really spotlight the services we have available and work towards benefitting East LA," said Evelyn Rojas of MAOF.
Lara, a volunteer, explained that her family came to the event when she told them she was going to be working at it.
"My parents were really excited to health being promoted in our community," Lara said.
Additionally, CicLAvia, a popular event of the greater LA area from years past, was extended to include East LA for the first time this year. This event was an opportunity for store owners to promote their businesses and bring people from different parts of LA together.
These events are just two of the many that VELA and other East LA nonprofits coordinate each year. Even more frequently, VELA brings the community together every Saturday at their weekly East LA Farmer's Market where fresh, local produce is brought and sold at the East LA Civic Center just north of the Atlantic station on the Metro Gold Line.
Beyond the market, VELA offers programs that are tailored specifically to members within the community who are in particularly more need.
The Handy Worker Program is a service offered to East LA homeowners free of charge. VELA is able to offer free minor home repairs though collaboration with their neighboring nonprofit, Women In Non Traditional Employment Roles - also known as WINTER. The women of WINTER are able to gain trade experience while also giving to their community.
Jesse Duran, WINTER's Pre-Apprenticeship Coordinator loves the work he does and being able to collaborate with other nonprofits like VELA.
"When we work together our efforts make an even bigger impact," Duran said. "I see that especially in the Handy Worker Project because not only are the homeowners benefitting but so are the women gaining the work experience."
No matter the cause, nonprofits across East LA are finding ways to improve the lives of its community members. Staff and volunteers, in particular, do this work out of passion and love for their city.
"East LA is my home and I couldn't think of any other community better to work for and give back to," Lerma said.