South Central LAMP - Board Member

ABOUT SOUTH CENTRAL LAMP

South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project (South Central LAMP) was founded in response to the 1992 civil unrest in Los Angeles by a collaboration of eight congregations of Catholic sisters. They canvassed the devastated neighborhood and asked how they could better support the community as it struggled to rebuild and survive. In their responses, the sisters heard a strong desire from mothers to enhance their parenting skills, improve their English literacy, and prepare their children for school and later success in life.

In dialogue with the local community, the founders developed family-centered programming that has grown to include Parenting Programs that empower women to advocate for themselves, their children, and their families; English as a Second Language programs that provide language skills for effective integration into the community; Childcare, Preschool, and Pre-Kindergarten programs that combine early literacy and school-readiness skills with parent participation, and which provide services while the mothers attend classes with confidence that their children are cared for in a warm learning environment; Health, wellness, and financial literacy seminars; Family Advocacy support to maximize access to community resources; and a Community Food Distribution program, run by South Central LAMP graduates. All our programs are free of charge to our participants.

"We believe that by investing in mothers, we are strengthening the entire family.* Therefore, we empower the women we serve so that they become confident in themselves and their ability to be their child’s first teacher and advocate."*

Our **Core Values* *are to

• Empower women to advocate for themselves, their children and families;
• Provide English language tools to effectively integrate into the community;
• Instill positive parent and child interaction;
• Promote early literacy and school readiness skills for children and their families; and
• Maximize use of community resources that support South Central LAMP’s Mission.

ABOUT THE BOARD

We are seeking dedicated individuals to serve on our Board of Directors. As a Board Member, you will play a crucial role in guiding the strategic direction of the organization, ensuring financial sustainability, and advancing our mission. This is a volunteer position that requires a commitment to attend regular board meetings, participate in committee work, and contribute expertise, resources, and networks to support the organization's growth and impact.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Governance: Provide oversight and strategic direction to ensure the organization fulfills its mission effectively and ethically.
2. Financial Oversight: Review and approve budgets, financial reports, and major financial decisions to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
3. Fundraising: Assist in fundraising efforts by cultivating relationships with donors, identifying funding opportunities, and advocating for the organization's mission.
4. Advocacy and Public Relations: Serve as ambassadors for the organization, advocating for its mission and programs within the community and broader network.
5. Strategic Planning: Contribute to the development and implementation of strategic plans to guide the organization's growth and impact.
6. Committee Work: Participate actively in board committees (e.g., finance, development, governance) and take leadership roles as needed.
7. Evaluation and Accountability: Monitor and evaluate the organization's programs and activities to ensure they align with its mission and goals.
8. Legal and Ethical Compliance: Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards governing nonprofit organizations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Passion for the organization's mission and a commitment to its values.
• Previous experience serving on nonprofit boards or relevant professional experience (e.g., finance, fundraising, legal).
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and contribute effectively to group decision-making.
• Willingness to dedicate time and resources to fulfill board responsibilities.
• Integrity, ethics, and a commitment to transparency and accountability.

Have questions or want to connect with us? Please contact Abigail Marsters at [email protected].