Penny Lane Centers

08/08/2025

🎒💙 Backpacks, Smiles & Community 💙🎒


Back in July, our Penny Lane family came together for our annual Back-to-School event, making sure kids start the year prepared and confident!
From backpacks, school supplies, shoes, uniforms & clothing to a delicious taco lunch made with love by our kitchen team — it was a day filled with care, connection, and community spirit. 💫

Huge thanks to our incredible partners Baby2Baby and Good+ Foundation for their generous donations, and to all the staff & volunteers who made this day possible. YOU are the heart of Penny Lane. 💖

Here’s to a great school year ahead! 📚✨
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07/14/2025

✨🏳️‍🌈2025 EDGY CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS 🏳️‍🌈✨


The 15th Annual EDGY Conference was pure magic—packed with passion, power, and purpose. From bold keynotes to transformative workshops, a vibrant resource fair, and shared moments that turned strangers into chosen family… this was love in action.

📸 Check out some photo highlights from this powerful day of community connection—and stay tuned, our video recap is coming soon!
👉 See more at: www.edgyconference.com
***rhorizons

06/25/2025

✨PURRRLANDIA GRAND OPENING✨


Yesterday marked the Grand Opening of Purrrlandia Cat Lounge & Cafe in Thousand Oaks—a heart-filled haven where rescue cats, coffee, and community come together in the most paw-sitive way. 🐱☕️

Kat’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From a former Penny Lane youth navigating the foster care system, to a fierce advocate, board member, and now the founder and CEO of her very own purpose-driven business—she is the embodiment of transformation, tenacity, and heart. 💜

At Penny Lane Centers, we are so proud to be part of Kat’s story. Watching her open the doors to Purrrlandia is more than a milestone—it’s a full-circle moment that reminds us why we do this work. She built a space where both cats and people can heal, connect, and thrive—and we’ll be cheering her on every step of the way.

We are family. We are community. And Kat, we are so proud of you.

Go visit soon—you just might find your new best (feline) friend.

06/19/2025

✨HAPPY JUNETEENTH✨


Today, on Juneteenth, we honor the power of freedom, resilience, and community.

At Penny Lane Centers, our mission is rooted in equity, inclusion, and healing—values that echo the significance of this day and the ongoing pursuit of justice for Black communities.

In the midst of difficult times here in Los Angeles—amid pain, protest, and calls for change—Juneteenth reminds us not only of how far we’ve come, but how much further we must go. It’s a day to recognize the strength of a people who turned struggle into joy, resistance into legacy.

Let today be a moment of celebration and reflection. Let it renew our commitment to uplifting voices that have long been silenced and to building a future where every child, every family, and every community can thrive.

We stand in solidarity. We celebrate Black freedom. We build toward liberation for all.

03/08/2025

✨ INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY✨


On International Women’s Day, we at Penny Lane Centers recognize the achievements of women and girls across the world, celebrate the progress we’ve made, and recommit ourselves to the work that remains to deliver the full measure of equity, dignity, and opportunity due to all women and girls.

Every person deserves the chance to live up to their full potential, without regard for gender or other factors. Ensuring that every woman and girl has that chance isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also at the core of who we are. Yet too often, in too many places, women and girls face obstacles that limit their possibilities and undermine their participation in economic, political, and social life. Improving the status of women and girls strengthens economies, communities, and our mission.

On this day and every day, let us recognize that all of us have a better future when women and girls can reach their full potential — and together, let’s renew our efforts to advance dignity, equality, and limitless possibilities for all.

We also celebrate our founder, Ivelise Markovits, and our current CEO, Wendy Carpenter, as fearless leaders who create opportunities for so many women and girls in our daily work at Penny Lane Centers.

03/04/2025

✨Celebrating Our Spanish-Speaking Resource Families✨


Last week our Relative Support Services Program partnered with DCFS to host this year’s Resource Parent Appreciation Event at LA Mission College, with a special focus on celebrating our Spanish-speaking community. It was a truly wonderful and heartfelt gathering, honoring the dedication and love of our resource families.

The event featured a special presentation by Senator Caroline Menjivar, as well as a vibrant Baile Folklórico performance by Quetzal de San Fernando, bringing cultural pride and joy to all in attendance. Music filled the air, and caregivers had the opportunity to visit our Bloom Bar, where they created unique flower bouquets to take home as a small token of appreciation. Guests also enjoyed delicious food catered by Magaly’s Tamales, adding a warm and familiar touch to the celebration.

Resource tables were available for both caregivers and workers, providing valuable information and support. Our Relative Support Services Program Supervisor, Christy Anaya, along with Resource Family Partners Maribel Klee, Cynthia Robles, Eline Bolainez, and Anna Macedo, engaged with families throughout the event, ensuring they felt welcomed, supported, and celebrated.

This event was a beautiful reminder of the strength, love, and commitment within our resource family community. We are grateful for everyy caregiver who opens their heart and home to children in need. Thank you for all that you do!

02/27/2025

SUBMIT YOUR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS FOR EDGY 2025


Are you interested in submitting a workshop proposal for Penny Lane Center’s 15th Annual EDGY Conference? We are now accepting workshop proposals until March 15, 2025.

We want you to share your expertise on working with LGBTQ+ youth and families with over 300 attendees! Click the links below to learn more about EDGY 2025: Q***r Horizons and how to submit your proposal!

To learn more about submitting your proposal, go to the EDGY Conference website!
✨✨www.edgyconference.com✨✨
🌈 ***r ***rhorizons

02/12/2025

✨LEADING WITH LOVE✨


The Penny Lane leadership team had a fantastic day yesterday at the Commerce Family Center!

We bonded as a team, heard inspiring success stories, indulged in delicious food and snacks, and celebrated Valentines Week together. It was a day filled with connection, appreciation, and plenty of love! ❤️❤️❤️

01/17/2025

✨HELPING THOSE IN NEED✨


When a community comes together great things get done. From the kitchen of Penny Lane Centers to the Altadena Sheriff’s office. Meals are prepared for the night shift crew who are working side by side with our firefighters. Thank you to all the first responders out there in Los Angeles, you are true heros!

Penny Lane is happy to be of service and bring warm meals to those who serve us. By helping one another out during times of need is when our communities show their true spirit. Stay safe everyone, we are here for you!

12/12/2024

12/03/2024

✨GIVING TUESDAY✨

Happy Giving Tuesday! This global day of generosity is the perfect opportunity to come together and make a real difference in the lives of others. And at Penny Lane Centers, your gift today can create ripples of positive change that will last a lifetime. 💖

Giving Tuesday is more than just a trend; it’s a movement that empowers individuals to transform their communities through the simple act of giving. It’s a chance to support the causes you care about most and make a lasting impact on the world.

This Giving Tuesday, we’re asking you to join us in creating brighter futures for vulnerable children, youth, and families. Your gift, no matter the size, will help us provide essential services like:

✨•Therapy and counseling: Helping individuals heal from trauma and build resilience.✨

✨•Safe housing and shelter: Providing a stable foundation for those experiencing homelessness or unsafe living situations.✨

✨•Educational support: Empowering young people to pursue their dreams and achieve their full potential.✨

✨•Basic necessities: Ensuring access to food, clothing, and other essential items.✨

Every dollar you give will directly support these vital programs and help us reach our Giving Tuesday goal of $250,000 Imagine the impact we can make together!

This Giving Tuesday, give hope. Give opportunity. Give transformation.
✨Pennylane.org/donate✨

10/24/2024

✨PL/ABBEY ROAD HOUSING RECEIVE $800k DONATION✨

On Wednesday, October 23rd we were honored to welcome Congressman Tony Cardenas and his staff to Penny Lane to accept and celebrate an $850,000 donation to Abbey Road.

Abbey Road, which is our Housing Development subsidiary company, graciously accepted these funds in order to help with the remodel and renovation of our apartment buildings, which houses transitional age youth.

The event was highlighted by a current resident, Pablo Casa, who shared his journey to Penny Lane and the positive changes that stable housing and caring staff have helped him to achieve.

We also heard from the congressman himself who discussed his upbringing in the very community that we serve. Congressman Cardenas spoke of the importance of serving the community and his role in doing just that as, first a councilman and then as a member of congress. We are proud to work alongside such a committed member of our community and our government.

We know that through the donation received we will be able to continue to provide support and housing to the community.

Thank you Pablo, and all our community partners!!