La Ballona Family Center in Culver City is among six U.S. community centers and projects cited for exemplary service to children and youths by a national organization.
The Local Collaboration for Children and Youth, a Washington-based coalition of government and school organizations, evaluated 77 community projects and centers in 33 states.
La Ballona provides after-school tutoring, counseling, parenting classes and legal services to students enrolled at adjacent La Ballona Elementary School and their families.
Started in 1992, the center was formed by a group of state and private agencies providing similar social services to children in Culver City, Principal Dale Petrulis said.
"We believe the work we are doing is monumental to empower families to get the skills they need so their children will be successful in school," Petrulis said.
