Meet Lydia Floyd, founder of Hands4Hope LA, a local non-profit afterschool program that has been dedicated to serving children and teens from low-income single parent families in North Hollywood for the past 18 years.
The NoHo motto should be: “NoHo is only as great as its people.”
Hands4Hope is one example of a great group of people doing great things in our neighborhood. They provide support to at-risk youth ages 8 to 18 from low-income, predominantly minority households to improve their quality of life, through free STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) after-school programs, low cost academic summer camp, and semiannual single parent resource fairs. This is what makes our neighborhood great – great folks doing great things.
But this year we bid a loving “see you later” to Hands4Hope LA’s founder Lydia Floyd as she hands over the reigns to a new director and fulfills her other passions. So on behalf of all of the folks you’ve touched during these past 18 years, THANK YOU and may you bring joy to many more folks.
What are you most proud of in your 17-year history with Hands4Hope LA?
On March, 8, 2018 it was 18 years since we incorporated Hands for Hope now known as Hands4Hope LA. In these last 18 years we have played a significant role in the lives of over 900 kids from single parent and low-income households. I am so very proud of the kids who have gone on to college who come back to say Thank you and the single parents who make sure we know how much we helped them.
What will you miss not being Executive Director?
I will miss seeing the kids every day but I do plan to visit and maybe tutor sometimes. I will be a board member so I will remain connected for as long as I can.
Would you do it all over again?
In a heartbeat. It has been the most rewarding thing I have done in my life. Even though it has been a struggle, what we have accomplished has made it all worth it.
Where do you see Hands4Hope LA in five years?
We are in the process of discussing replicating our site at other sites throughout Los Angeles. We will need help from the community to do it, but we are definitely capable of bringing this wonderful program to more kids and families.
What are the top things a person can do to help Hands4Hope LA ?
We really appreciate any and all donations of items for the kids – snacks – computers – school supplies but what we need most is people so that we can accommodate more kids. We need volunteers and we must have paid staff so we need funds for that.
Can you give us a description of the Gala and what folks will expect?
I am so very honored to celebrate 18 years at our 18th Anniversary Crystal Gala at Bella Blanca in NoHo on Sunday, 11/11/2018. It will be an evening of Motown Music with a live band – kids performing tunes from Greatest Showman – honoring some great people – cocktail reception and a silent auction – FUN!
WHEN?
Sunday, November 11, 2018
WHERE?
Bella Blanca
5122 Tujunga Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Tickets>>
Thank you, Lydia and Hands4Hope LA for helping to make North Hollywood a better community!
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