We selected and designed our project to meet the needs of both animals and people of Highland Park in
Northeast Los Angeles. Our animals and their owners need financial support in the face of economic changes and
hardship in the community. We want to be leaders in the building of relationships with new businesses and families
that have recently moved into the area. The project lets us serves as advocates for animals and also advocate for
greater investment by the new business in the needs and well-being for the families of Luther Burbank Middle
School.
The short-term impact of our project is to care for animals and create immediate changes in the quality of life for
the pets and pet-owning people of Highland Park. We also want to help build relationships with the businesses that
have recently moved into this part of LA. LBMS is in the heart of Highland Park and we want our students to serve
as ambassadors within the community to model empathy for animals and humans while they spread knowledge
about the challenges facing families in Northeast Los Angeles.
Statement of Opportunity
Highland Park is a community in transition and the last seven years have witnessed massive transformation. New businesses and families are coming into a neighborhood that already has a long history of diversity. With change comes the strain of economic challenges on the families of Highland Park. At the heart of this change is LBMS. Our goal is to build bridges with new local businesses, so they can get to know Highland Park through our school and a shared love for the animals of our community. We want to support struggling families with supplies for animal care, provide safety education regarding pets, and connect local businesses with LBMS families, creating a sustainable investment in the community that already exists in Highland Park.
Our school has grown in academic gains and wants to build a mobile stand in the neighborhood. There are a lot of dogs running around without leashes or collars. If the dogs get lost, they get picked up and taken to the shelter. People cannot get their dogs back because they do not have tags or information. We’re also concerned about homeless pet owners and coming up with a way for them to keep their companions safe and protected, even without a permanent address.