El Centro de Amistad (ECDA) proudly marked the grand opening of its Panorama City Family Source Center with a ribbon-cutting event on August 16, 2024. The new center, designed to provide crucial support to low- and moderate-income families with children up to age 17, aims to offer a wide range of social, educational, and family support services.
As one of 19 Family Source Centers established by the City of Los Angeles, the Panorama City location serves as a one-stop resource hub, helping families access tools and services to increase income, achieve financial stability, and promote academic success. Abigail Marquez, General Manager of the City of Los Angeles Community Investment for Families Department, highlighted the expansion of Family Source Centers in the San Fernando Valley, with the addition of new locations in Panorama City and Sun Valley.
“Throughout our 47 years in the San Fernando Valley, El Centro de Amistad has expanded its reach,” said ECDA Executive Director Luis Cervantes. “With the opening of the Panorama City Family Source Center, we can now offer a more holistic approach to supporting our clients—providing economic mobility, essential services, and valuable resources.”
The event began with a meaningful land acknowledgment by Mark Villaseñor, Vice President of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, recognizing the ancestral lands of northern Los Angeles County.
Several prominent speakers joined the celebration, including Los Angeles City Council member Imelda Padilla (District 6), Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29), Assembly member Luz Rivas (D-43rd District), and President and Founder of FundaMental Change Angela Padilla. Each speaker highlighted the profound impact the Family Source Center will have on the local community, with client testimonies illustrating its life-changing potential. Certificates of recognition were also presented by representatives from US Senator Laphonza Butler, California State Senator Caroline Menjivar, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
Attendees enjoyed a vibrant performance by Danzantes Aztecas, followed by tours of the facility, lunch, and refreshments. Congressman Cárdenas praised ECDA, stating, “El Centro de Amistad is an integral part of what makes our community so special. For nearly 30 years, they have been dedicated to helping families and individuals who work hard but still struggle to make ends meet.”
El Centro de Amistad has come a long way since its founding in 1977. Originally a storefront operation focused on at-risk youth and gang intervention, the organization now employs over 100 staff and offers a comprehensive range of mental health services to children, adults, and families across the San Fernando Valley.
Assembly member Rivas, who worked with ECDA to expand services last year, expressed her optimism for the future, saying, “I know that El Centro de Amistad will continue to grow and serve even more families with the incredible support they provide.”
The services offered at the Panorama City Family Source Center include case management, mental health referrals, employment support, financial coaching, tutoring, housing advocacy, tax preparation, art and cultural activities, and more. To qualify, families must be low-income residents of Los Angeles and provide documentation to confirm their residency and household income.
“The Panorama City Family Source Center demonstrates our ongoing commitment to addressing the evolving needs of our community,” added Cervantes. “By providing crucial resources, we help families escape poverty, support youth education, and strengthen financial stability.”
The Panorama City Family Source Center is located at 14500 Roscoe Blvd., Ste. 205, Panorama City, CA 91402. To learn more about ECDA’s services, visit ecda.org or call the center at 818-441-7127.
