About
Heart of Los Angeles Youth Programs offers after-school academic programs along with arts, athletics, music, and wellness programs. Participants can take part in activities such as basketball, soccer, and football through leagues, clinics, physical education, and active camps, including options for kids interested in basketball, soccer, and football. The program also includes choir, orchestra, band, visual arts, youth and intergenerational orchestras, jazz bands, rock bands, choirs, chamber ensembles, a big band, project-based learning in visual arts, hands-on learning and collaboration in SmartStart Elementary, and Scientific Arts (SciArts) hands-on experimentation and problem-solving.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Price: Programs are free
Heart of Los Angeles Youth Programs provides a comprehensive array of after-school academic, arts, athletics, music, and wellness programs for youth ages 6–24 and delivers over 330 weekly classes on sites across the city. The program offers academic and financial aid advisors, professional development opportunities, and in-house college scholarships, and it supports students interested in pursuing new programming, attending college, or engaging with partners. Its student and family-led model focuses on improving academic, health, and community outcomes, with high-quality, wrap-around supports and a forum for collective action that involves kids and their families in localized, impactful change.
The main campus in Lafayette Park in the MacArthur Park/Westlake area offers a variety of academic and enrichment programs, and the organization serves more than 4,000 students across eight locations, including campuses at MacArthur Park and South Los Angeles and sites in MacArthur Park/Westlake, South Central, and Watts. It offers premier visual arts programs in South LA and Watts communities, with extensive visual arts programs designed and delivered by established and emerging artists in partnership with local community organizations. SmartStart provides fundamental building blocks necessary for academic achievement and personal growth, and Scientific Arts (SciArts) uses a hands-on approach to diverse modalities, while visual arts programs use project-based learning and experimentation to help youth become innovative thinkers and confident leaders.
Heart of Los Angeles was founded in 1989 by Mitchel Moore, and Tony Brown serves as Chief Executive Officer. Over the past 35 years, Heart of Los Angeles has served over 50,000 kids and has grown to serve more than 3,100 kids each year, and it has grown to serve over 3,100 kids annually. Music has been a core component of Heart of Los Angeles since its beginning in 1993, and the music programs are designed by musical artists.
The mission of Heart of Los Angeles is to close the opportunity gap by providing robust academic and enrichment opportunities for youth, and it envisions a future where every young person has the opportunity to realize their full potential. Heart of Los Angeles states that it helps young people overcome barriers in a trusted, nurturing environment.
Heart of Los Angeles partners with hundreds of organizations to offer a wide range of leadership and advocacy opportunities for youth and their families. It partners with the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) and Koreatown Youth + Community Center (KYCC) to provide academic programs at three FamilySource Centers in high-need areas: Pico Union, Watts, and Southeast LA. It collaborates with the Los Angeles Unified School District through the Black Student Achievement Plan initiative, providing Visual Arts and College and Career Success programs, and partners with WLCAC in Watts to offer a Leadership program through the Media Career Pathways Prototype initiative. Heart of Los Angeles also contributes annually to the First Nations Development Institute.
One student shared that “The HOLA teachers made me feel comfortable in asking for help. They have also taught me that learning about subjects like math and English can be fun.” A parent, Asusena Santana, described being part of the sports program for three years and highlighted the basketball program with Coach Kristina, stating that everyone is treated equally and no one is left behind. Another parent, Kathia Garcia-Ledezma, stated that the organization has made a significant impact on the lives of her kids, including attending special events with celebrity athletes, traveling abroad, gaining confidence, and seeing their dreams and goals as more possible, and she described the staff as excellent, motivated, and dedicated mentors. Tony Brown, Chief Executive Officer, stated that every individual has the potential to do good with their own unique talents and that Heart of LA gives youth in the communities it serves a chance to reach their full potential.
Last updated March 31, 2026.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Price: Programs are free
Heart of Los Angeles Youth Programs provides a comprehensive array of after-school academic, arts, athletics, music, and wellness programs for youth ages 6–24 and delivers over 330 weekly classes on sites across the city. The program offers academic and financial aid advisors, professional development opportunities, and in-house college scholarships, and it supports students interested in pursuing new programming, attending college, or engaging with partners. Its student and family-led model focuses on improving academic, health, and community outcomes, with high-quality, wrap-around supports and a forum for collective action that involves kids and their families in localized, impactful change.
The main campus in Lafayette Park in the MacArthur Park/Westlake area offers a variety of academic and enrichment programs, and the organization serves more than 4,000 students across eight locations, including campuses at MacArthur Park and South Los Angeles and sites in MacArthur Park/Westlake, South Central, and Watts. It offers premier visual arts programs in South LA and Watts communities, with extensive visual arts programs designed and delivered by established and emerging artists in partnership with local community organizations. SmartStart provides fundamental building blocks necessary for academic achievement and personal growth, and Scientific Arts (SciArts) uses a hands-on approach to diverse modalities, while visual arts programs use project-based learning and experimentation to help youth become innovative thinkers and confident leaders.
Heart of Los Angeles was founded in 1989 by Mitchel Moore, and Tony Brown serves as Chief Executive Officer. Over the past 35 years, Heart of Los Angeles has served over 50,000 kids and has grown to serve more than 3,100 kids each year, and it has grown to serve over 3,100 kids annually. Music has been a core component of Heart of Los Angeles since its beginning in 1993, and the music programs are designed by musical artists.
The mission of Heart of Los Angeles is to close the opportunity gap by providing robust academic and enrichment opportunities for youth, and it envisions a future where every young person has the opportunity to realize their full potential. Heart of Los Angeles states that it helps young people overcome barriers in a trusted, nurturing environment.
Heart of Los Angeles partners with hundreds of organizations to offer a wide range of leadership and advocacy opportunities for youth and their families. It partners with the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) and Koreatown Youth + Community Center (KYCC) to provide academic programs at three FamilySource Centers in high-need areas: Pico Union, Watts, and Southeast LA. It collaborates with the Los Angeles Unified School District through the Black Student Achievement Plan initiative, providing Visual Arts and College and Career Success programs, and partners with WLCAC in Watts to offer a Leadership program through the Media Career Pathways Prototype initiative. Heart of Los Angeles also contributes annually to the First Nations Development Institute.
One student shared that “The HOLA teachers made me feel comfortable in asking for help. They have also taught me that learning about subjects like math and English can be fun.” A parent, Asusena Santana, described being part of the sports program for three years and highlighted the basketball program with Coach Kristina, stating that everyone is treated equally and no one is left behind. Another parent, Kathia Garcia-Ledezma, stated that the organization has made a significant impact on the lives of her kids, including attending special events with celebrity athletes, traveling abroad, gaining confidence, and seeing their dreams and goals as more possible, and she described the staff as excellent, motivated, and dedicated mentors. Tony Brown, Chief Executive Officer, stated that every individual has the potential to do good with their own unique talents and that Heart of LA gives youth in the communities it serves a chance to reach their full potential.
Last updated March 31, 2026.
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