Dear South Central LAMP community,
I want to look back on my life and know that I was brave—that I chose courage over comfort, and stood up for what was right, not because the law told me to, but because my spirit did. I’ve always believed that doing the right thing has the power to change the world. Even small acts of kindness and support can make a big difference in someone’s life. I believe in my responsibility to be a changemaker, and I carry that belief with purpose.
Recently, our community has been intentionally targeted by ICE raids. Children in foster care are being taken from their homes. People are being detained simply for walking down the street. Even schools, shelters, and places of worship are no longer safe. People who look like me now carry passports everywhere—and still, they are being detained. This affects us all, undocumented or not.
In Los Angeles County, 20% of families live in mixed status homes. In California, 20% of individuals under the age of 18 live in a mixed status family. So, our entire team has been affected by these raids. While we work to support our families, we too are processing the hurt, and pain caused by these targeted actions.
As changemakers, we at South Central LAMP are alchemizing this hurt into a call for action, and I ask you all to join us. To quote Elie Wiesel, “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
This is a defining moment in our history. As I shared earlier, I hope to look back one day and know that I used my voice to stand against injustice. History has taught us the consequences of silence. I invite you to reflect on this as well—and to remember that some of the most painful chapters in our nation’s past were shaped by actions that were legal at the time, yet are now widely recognized as deeply unjust.
Diana Z. Pinto
Executive Director
A Call to Action to all the Changemakers:
Our community is living in fear, and as an agency founded by women religious who were deeply committed to both supporting the marginalized and standing up for social justice, we are doing our best to carry forward their legacy.
Below is a list of ways you can help make a meaningful impact:
A. Be the change you wish to see in the world – Speak Out
Use your voice to stand up against injustice, discrimination, and fear. Whether it’s through social media, community gatherings, or everyday conversations, speaking out with compassion and conviction can inspire others and create ripples of change.
B. Have hard conversations
Engage in honest, respectful dialogue with family, friends, and colleagues—even when it’s uncomfortable. These conversations can challenge assumptions, open minds, and build bridges of understanding that lead to lasting social progress.
C. Donate
Support organizations, like South Central LAMP, who are doing the work on the ground—providing direct assistance, advocating for justice, and creating safe spaces for those in need. Every contribution, big or small, fuels the mission and helps extend care, support, and empowerment to more women and their families.