FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. PT
Contact: Carter Ashforth, (203) 253-5965, cashforth@elnidofamilycenters.org
El Nido Family Centers Celebrates 100 Years at Centennial Gala and
Launches $6M EMERGE STRONG Campaign to Meet Urgent Needs
Los Angeles, CA – On Saturday, September 6, El Nido Family Centers celebrated 100 years of impact at its Centennial Gala, raising more than $500,000—111% of its fundraising goal—to launch EMERGE STRONG: The Centennial Campaign, a bold three-year, $6 million initiative to sustain and expand El Nido’s work with Los Angeles’ most high-need communities.
Founded in 1925 as a camp in Laurel Canyon, supporting undernourished and medically fragile girls, many from immigrant families, El Nido has grown into a trusted lifeline for more than 12,000 Angelenos in the past year alone. Today, as families face soaring housing costs, mental health challenges, and widening inequities, the organization’s work is more critical than ever.
“We are deeply grateful to our Gala Co-Chairs, Laurie Spivak and Lucy Zepp, the Centennial Gala Committee, and our Board of Directors for their leadership and unwavering support,” said Liz Herrera, CEO of El Nido Family Centers. “Special thanks to our Century Circle Sponsor, Bank of America, and Legacy Builder Sponsors, APG and Kaiser Permanente, for their incredible partnerships.”
The Gala, held at Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles, brought together more than 400 supporters for a night of celebration, resilience, and hope. Guests heard powerful stories from young people whose lives have been impacted by El Nido’s programs, enjoyed dinner by Redbird, and were inspired by pre-recorded remarks from Mayor Karen Bass.
The Gala served as the headlining event for EMERGE STRONG: The Centennial Campaign (2025–2027), which entered its public phase on September 6 following a successful silent phase. The campaign will fund:
-
Fortifying Core Services to meet growing demand
-
Enhancing Mental Health Services for youth and families
-
Strengthening Career and Life Readiness Programs to prepare young people for the future
To date, the campaign has raised over $1 million, with 100% Board participation, moving El Nido closer to the campaign’s $6 million goal. Watch the Centennial Campaign video and visit the website to learn more.
Download high-resolution photos from the event here.
###
About El Nido Family Centers
Founded in 1925, El Nido Family Centers is a Los Angeles–based nonprofit dedicated to creating pathways to stability, opportunity, and well-being for youth and families. El Nido served more than 12,000 Angelenos in the past year alone across six sites and through 12+ trauma-informed programs focused on mental health, early childhood development, education, housing stability, violence prevention, food access, community building, and career readiness.