Volunteer Appreciation Brunch at the El Nido Farmers Market

El Nido Family Centers Celebrates 100 Years of Impact with Volunteer Appreciation Brunch at the El Nido Farmers Market

Event honored local volunteers during National Volunteer Month and Centennial year

Los Angeles, CA – On Saturday, April 26, El Nido Family Centers hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Brunch at the El Nido Farmers Market—the first certified farmers market in Pacoima—to recognize the volunteers who help power the organization's work across Los Angeles. The event was part of El Nido’s ongoing Centennial celebrations, marking 100 years of service to children, youth, and families throughout the City.

Volunteers, board members, and staff came together for a meaningful celebration of collective impact. Guests enjoyed food from the El Nido Farmers Market, Centennial-branded swag, and certificates of recognition, along with remarks from CEO Liz Herrera, board member Lisa Carloss, Volunteer Coordinator Sophie Stoller, and both a current and former El Nido client, who shared personal reflections on the lasting impact volunteers have had on their lives.

“Volunteers have been at the core of El Nido’s work since the very beginning,” said Liz Herrera, CEO of El Nido Family Centers. “From the early days of our founders serving young girls in Topanga Canyon to today’s volunteers tutoring students and supporting our farmers market, every chapter of our 100-year story has been powered by service. We simply couldn’t do this work without them.”

Lisa Carloss, a longtime El Nido board member and former board chair, also spoke during the ceremony. “Serving on El Nido’s board has been a tremendous privilege and honor,” said Carloss. “This organization represents the very best of Los Angeles—neighbors lifting up neighbors, families finding hope, and volunteers stepping in where they’re needed most. As a longtime volunteer myself, I’ve seen firsthand how El Nido meets people where they are and walks with them towards their dreams. Celebrating 100 years isn’t just about looking back—it’s about recommitting to what makes this community so strong.”

El Nido’s work spans more than a dozen community-centered programs designed to support families across every stage of life. With a team of over 150 professionals, the organization provides services ranging from academic tutoring and parenting classes to career readiness, mental health counseling, early childhood education, and violence prevention. In 2024 alone, El Nido served more than 11,000 individuals across Los Angeles—an impact made possible in large part thanks to the dedication of volunteers.

Held at the El Nido Farmers Market—a community initiative launched in 2021 in partnership with the City of Los Angeles—the event was both a celebration and a reflection of the organization’s deep roots as a trusted cornerstone of the city. Volunteers support many aspects of El Nido’s mission, from mentoring youth and guiding families to supporting programs focused on food access, education, and career readiness.

As El Nido enters its second century, the spirit of volunteerism that shaped its earliest days remains just as vital. Saturday’s event was a powerful reminder that lasting impact is built person by person, family by family — and that every act of service helps strengthen the foundation for a stronger, more resilient Los Angeles.

To view and download high-resolution photos from the event, click here.