Program areas at HOLA
Education: in the fall of 2021, hola robustly returned to in-person programming, welcoming Youth and families to our brand new arts and recreation center. Despite the continued challenges posed by the covid-19 public health and economic crisis, we are proud to have been able to provide our Youth with in-person offerings across all departments as well as wraparound and wellness services through our formalized family services department. Over the last year, hola's comprehensive academic programs served 418 Youth and alumni through the smart start elementary education program, bridges middle and high school education program, and college and career success program. Hola was proud to see 100% of seniors graduate from high school this spring and 96% heading off to college this fall. Last summer, hola awarded more than $940,342 to 196 graduating seniors and alumni for academic year 2021-22.
Athletics: though indoor sports were some of the slowest Youth activities to return post-pandemic, hola was proud to successfully bring back league play, including high school boys and girls soccer, high school boys and girls basketball, and junior jumpshot, and witnessed the joy of young athletes having the opportunity to play together again on the court and the field. We reached 415 athletes.
Arts: hola's visual arts department provided 392 Youth with access to free quality in-person and virtual arts education programs in 20+ art forms, field trips (in-person and virtual), visiting professional artists, innovative public art projects, and more. In 2022, hola expanded its programming to south central Los Angeles, where it is now providing after school classes in visual arts and steam in partnership with augustus f. hawkins nature park to over 100 students annually, along with programming serving over 800 students in lausd elementary and middle schools in the dorsey/crenshaw neighborhoods.hola's music program served 206 Youth with exceptional music education opportunities, and an additional 96 musicians, ranging in age from 8 to 76 years old, who joined hola's inaugural intergenerational orchestra. More than 36 music classes are offered weekly, from beginning to advanced strings, brass, big band, jazz, music production, and voice.hola's science, technology, engineering, arts and math (steam) program focussed on supporting students and families with computer literacy and practical skills as online engagement became essential during the pandemic.