There are currently 580,466 people experiencing homelessness in the United States today, and more than 174,000 of them are people with families and children. College students are also massively impacted by this crisis. According to an L.A. Times article, one in 20  students in the University of California system alone are unhoused. Since the pandemic, these numbers continue to rise, along with the stigma and misconceptions surrounding homelessness.  While these numbers may be disheartening, organizations and activists continue to find ways to  curb the homelessness crisis i ..read more

At some point in life, even the commoner must uncover her crown and place it royally on her head. This is the missive my imaginary courtier whispered to me during a recent stay in Coronado.  A crown-bearing sandcastle on the beach at Hotel del Coronado. PHOTO BY CASSANDRA LANE The English translation of the Spanish word coronado is “crowned,” and images of this symbol of glory, authority and honor can be found throughout The Crown City. The beloved resort “island” (technically a peninsula) is a sparkling slice of Southern California that sits just across Glorietta Bay from San Diego. The ..read more

At some point in life, even the commoner must uncover her crown and place it royally on her head. This is the missive my imaginary courtier whispered to me during a recent stay in Coronado.  A sand castle on the beach at Hotel del Coronado. PHOTO BY CASSANDRA LANE The English translation of the Spanish word coronado is “crowned,” and images of this symbol of glory, authority and honor can be found throughout The Crown City. The beloved resort “island” (technically a peninsula) is a sparkling slice of Southern California that sits just across Glorietta Bay from San Diego. The San Diego-Cor ..read more

Nonprofit helps kids with life-threatening conditions and their families find hope, happiness and healing through Adventures. Kids with life-threatening conditions and their families face hard days — ongoing doctor appointments, therapies, surgeries, hospital visits, bills and the emotional toll of complex medical needs.  For these families, moments of joy and experiences that allow the whole family to feel “like a kid again” become incredibly important, and connecting with other families experiencing similar medical journeys is helpful.  That’s where A Kid Again comes in. The nonpr ..read more

Local staffing agency Recruiting for Good helps companies find talented professionals, generates proceeds to fund The Sweetest Gigs (work program for kids) and rewards referrals to companies hiring professional staff with cruise savings. Love to save $2,500 or more on your next cruise? Participate in Recruiting for Good’s referral program. Simply introduce Recruiting for Good to a company executive (CEO, CFO or VP HR) you personally know. When Recruiting for Good gets retained for a search, we help the company find a talented professional. Recruiting for Good then earns a finder’s ..read more

Nonprofit helps kids with life-threatening conditions and their families find hope, happiness and healing through Adventures. Kids with life-threatening conditions and their families face hard days — ongoing doctor appointments, therapies, surgeries, hospital visits, bills and the emotional toll of complex medical needs.  For these families, moments of joy and experiences that allow the whole family to feel “like a kid again” become incredibly important, and connecting with other families experiencing similar medical journeys is helpful.  That’s where A Kid Again comes in. The nonpr ..read more

As of this month, beloved Long Beach institution Aquarium of the Pacific is celebrating its 25th anniversary, having welcomed guests to its fantastic galleries and exhibits since 1998. To mark the occasion, new programming will run through 2023, including a second-floor ocean photography exhibit and events for all ages, plus the brand-new Southern California Gallery, which is set to debut on July 1. PHOTO COURTESY AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC A visit to the aquarium is an incredible way to engage young children in ocean education and conservation. Guests see sea creatures up close, and may even tou ..read more

Father’s Day is right around the corner, and while we do try to celebrate our parents in small ways throughout the year, the holiday is always a nice opportunity to put Dad on a pedestal. Whether you are looking for a scheduled activity out in the city or just inspiration, here’s our list of event ideas to help you honor Dad. Father’s Day Frame Making On June 10, local nonprofit Piece by Piece is hosting an art exhibit and sale along with a Father’s Day frame making event. If Dad and the kids are crafty, this is a great way to celebrate. Or, if you’re not feeling so crafty, spend the day simp ..read more

Driving north out of Los Angeles on Highway 101 is especially lovely once the sea comes into view near Ventura. Whether the view outside my windshield is misty or sun-drenched, I don’t mind. California’s coast is a muse, inspiring me to drive miles and miles and miles.  This month I cut through the San Fernando Valley on the 101, then curved into Santa Barbara before rolling onto the 154, a highway that swiftly climbs the San Marcos Pass and past Lake Cachuma before gently setting you in Santa Ynez Valley. Drive through this wine region and you’re in yet another: Edna Valley, where the l ..read more

American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat worked alongside the likes of Keith Haring and Andy Warhol in the 1970s and 1980s in New York. His artwork, categorized as neo-expressionism, is full of bold colors and symbolic, abstract images. Themes in his work skew mature — wealth and poverty, inner self and outer self, race and power — but the art certainly resonates with young art appreciators. In fact, Los Angeles non-profit P.S. Arts has teamed up with local exhibition “Jean-Michel Basquiat :King Pleasure” to host art events geared toward families. Photo Courtesy of ‘Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Plea ..read more