Latino Group Celebrates Its 35th Year

When the Latino American Civic Assn. first opened its doors, few public officials paid much heed.

The year was 1963, in the midst of the civil rights era, but most Los Angeles political leaders had not yet recognized the need to improve conditions for Latinos and other minority groups. LACA’s headquarters were humble, but its mission was noble: to help its community by focusing on preschool education.

On Saturday, the progress was palpable. An array of politicians, top police officials and educators gathered for a celebration of LACA’s 35th anniversary at an open house at the nonprofit association’s gleaming new $800,000 headquarters.

Balloons and children’s songs filled the air and the aisles were packed with strollers as speakers paid tribute to the group’s survival, especially after a financial crisis and the Northridge earthquake.

“This is the triumph of our commitment to children,” said Irene Tovar, LACA’s executive director, following an hourlong ceremony. “It’s a triumph of will. We’ve always known there was no way we were going to let those children down.”

Saturday’s celebration also marked the revitalization of LACA, the only agency that provides meals, health care and instruction to more than 1,000 low-income children in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.

The organization nearly succumbed to financial problems in 1993, when the Los Angeles County Office of Education determined the agency had violated federal spending guidelines in its child-care programs and withdrew $5.3 million in annual support. Within months of that crisis and a resulting reorganization, the Northridge quake destroyed LACA’s warehouses and offices.

State Sen. Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) told the crowd of several dozen that LACA’s message has reverberated in the state Capitol. Like many at the lectern, he spoke in both Spanish and English.

“Our agenda as a Latino caucus is an American agenda: decent jobs, health care. It is about all of those values that the people before us fought for,” said Polanco, the event’s keynote speaker.

“This community has been like a forgotten island. . . . But with your presence here and the support of everyone up here, I know that we are going to continue to expand the programs here and continue to serve the kids.”

Following songs such as “Hello,” “The ABCs” and “Five Little Monkeys” performed by preschoolers and words from officials, Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard Parks arrived to shake hands and deliver short remarks saluting LACA and stressing the need for positive interaction between residents and police.

As they milled around the property, taking tours of the headquarters that opened in 1996 and sampling food and crafts on tables outside, attendees marveled at the 35-year milestone.

“I’m 35 myself, so I know how it is,” joked San Fernando Mayor Raul Godinez.