Dear South Central LAMP Community,
I’m really unsure what to write at this moment. It feels like I’m trying to go about my day like normal, when there is nothing normal about what is going on in our country.
Recently, two people were shot and killed by ICE with little care for life or consequences. My heart goes out to all the surviving families after deaths caused by ICE under this administration. In January, the Guardian reported that 2025 was ICE’s deadliest year in two decades with 32 people dying in custody. ICE detention centers have little oversight, and many representatives have been denied access into these facilities. We know very little about what is going on in these centers.
In times like these, I am reminded of Martin Luther King’s Jr. words in a Letter from Birmingham Jail: “freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” And so, we continue to demand – South Central LAMP was created as a social justice agency, and we remain committed to supporting marginalized communities and advocating for dignity, justice and human rights for all – just as our founders taught us. History reminds us that even our worst moments have often become catalysts for transformation, progress and evolution.
Let’s not miss our opportunity for real change. Stay focused on what you can do rather than what you cannot! Progress is not easy but worth it, because we’re building a better world for all!
As we continue our Truth Telling series, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce you to a graduate of our three-year Family Literacy Program, Mary. After years of perseverance, she recently obtained her U.S. residency status (citizenship being a separate process). With this new chapter, she was eager to begin working and is now employed at a local elementary school.
One of the most meaningful moments for our team has been seeing her walk by in her school uniform, proudly sharing that it is the very same elementary school her children once attended. During a recent visit back to South Central LAMP, she shared that now she understood why we had so many rules and policies for the children’s program. It was a full-circle moment, one that spoke volumes about her growth, confidence, and pride in her work.
Her joy and dedication are evident, and it is clear that she truly enjoys what she does! We invited her to share her journey through a brief Q&A, and she generously agreed.
We are honored to help amplify her voice, and that of many other immigrants, and to celebrate her accomplishments.
With gratitude,
Diana Z. Pinto
Executive Director