Alliance for a Better Community was formed through strong leadership that continues to be one of its greatest strengths and its foundation for success.
In the mid-1990s, a group of Latina/o civic and business leaders came together regularly as the “Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club” to address challenges facing Los Angeles’ Latina/o community. As they worked collaboratively on regional issues, they recognized the need for a formal organization to serve as a strong voice for Latina/o policy and advocacy, leading to the creation of ABC. Established to advance a proactive Latina/o agenda across government, education, media, and other key institutions, ABC works to ensure that the needs and priorities of the region’s growing Latina/o community are represented. Many of the original Breakfast Club members became ABC’s founding board and remain engaged in its work today.
Milestones Throughout the Years
Mid-1990s – Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club
A group of Latina/o civic and business leaders began meeting informally as the “Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club” to address challenges facing Los Angeles’ Latina/o community. While their efforts led to some policy wins, they recognized the need for a formal entity to advance a pro-active Latina/o agenda. In response, they founded Alliance for a Better Community (ABC) to serve as a consistent and visible voice across public institutions. Many founding members remain involved today, and ABC continues to advocate for systemic change that reflects the needs and aspirations of the region’s largest and fastest-growing population.
Mid-1990s – Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club
A group of Latina/o civic and business leaders began meeting informally as the “Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club” to address challenges facing Los Angeles’ Latina/o community. While their efforts led to some policy wins, they recognized the need for a formal entity to advance a pro-active Latina/o agenda. In response, they founded Alliance for a Better Community (ABC) to serve as a consistent and visible voice across public institutions. Many founding members remain involved today, and ABC continues to advocate for systemic change that reflects the needs and aspirations of the region’s largest and fastest-growing population.
2000 – ABC Founded
Latina/o civic and business leaders founded Alliance for Better Community to carry forward the policy recommendations from American Dream Makers and institutionalize the report. ABC was created to ensure accountability, monitor progress, and unify Latina/o voices around key policy priorities in Los Angeles.
ABC Founders: Ed Avila, Monica Lozano, Antonia Hernandez, Arturo Vargas, Linda Greigo, Maria Casillas, Dr. Fernando Torres-Gil, Angela Sanbrano, Raul Salinas
2000 – ABC Founded
Latina/o civic and business leaders founded Alliance for Better Community to carry forward the policy recommendations from American Dream Makers and institutionalize the report. ABC was created to ensure accountability, monitor progress, and unify Latina/o voices around key policy priorities in Los Angeles.
ABC Founders: Ed Avila, Monica Lozano, Antonia Hernandez, Arturo Vargas, Linda Greigo, Maria Casillas, Dr. Fernando Torres-Gil, Angela Sanbrano, Raul Salinas
2003 – First Latino Scorecard Released
ABC released Grading the American Dream: Latino Scorecard, providing a comprehensive assessment of education, health, housing, economic development, and public safety in LA’s Latina/o communities. More than data, the Scorecard launched an action agenda to strategically align resources and drive meaningful change. ABC led this effort, emphasizing that investing in Latina/o communities is essential for the prosperity of all Los Angeles County.
2003 – First Latino Scorecard Released
ABC released Grading the American Dream: Latino Scorecard, providing a comprehensive assessment of education, health, housing, economic development, and public safety in LA’s Latina/o communities. More than data, the Scorecard launched an action agenda to strategically align resources and drive meaningful change. ABC led this effort, emphasizing that investing in Latina/o communities is essential for the prosperity of all Los Angeles County.
2005 – Communities for Educational Equity Advances A-G Curriculum Advocacy
ABC co-convened CEE, mobilizing thousands of parents, students, and community members to advocate for LAUSD implementation of the rigorous “A-G” college preparatory curriculum for all students. ABC also worked with Montebello Unified School District to improve middle and high school experiences by increasing rigor and relevance. Both districts committed to providing college preparatory curricula to all freshmen by 2013.
2005 – Communities for Educational Equity Advances A-G Curriculum Advocacy
ABC co-convened CEE, mobilizing thousands of parents, students, and community members to advocate for LAUSD implementation of the rigorous “A-G” college preparatory curriculum for all students. ABC also worked with Montebello Unified School District to improve middle and high school experiences by increasing rigor and relevance. Both districts committed to providing college preparatory curricula to all freshmen by 2013.
2007 – $2 Million Grant to Expand Communities for Educational Equity (CEE)
ABC secured a $2 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The James Irvine Foundation to strengthen Communities for Educational Equity (CEE). This citywide coalition launched a public outreach campaign promoting LAUSD’s newly adopted A-G curriculum to ensure students graduate college- and career-ready. Executive Director Veronica Melvin emphasized the need for shared responsibility between schools, parents, and students: “To achieve this goal, parents and students must be aware of these heightened expectations and also work in unison with the schools to achieve them.”
2007 – $2 Million Grant to Expand Communities for Educational Equity (CEE)
ABC secured a $2 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The James Irvine Foundation to strengthen Communities for Educational Equity (CEE). This citywide coalition launched a public outreach campaign promoting LAUSD’s newly adopted A-G curriculum to ensure students graduate college- and career-ready. Executive Director Veronica Melvin emphasized the need for shared responsibility between schools, parents, and students: “To achieve this goal, parents and students must be aware of these heightened expectations and also work in unison with the schools to achieve them.”
2008 – Edward R. Roybal Learning Center Opens
The opening of the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center—previously known as the Belmont Learning Center—in 2008 was the culmination of years of community advocacy led by ABC to expand educational access in central Los Angeles. Beginning in 2002, ABC formed the Belmont Community Development Group (BCDG) and submitted plans for the new school. This achievement was part of a broader ABC-led effort between 2008 and 2010 that spurred historic school construction and green space development in LA.
Alongside Belmont, ABC helped bring to life the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools, a full K–12 complex opened in 2010, together creating over 6,000 new seats in some of the country’s most densely populated neighborhoods. ABC’s advocacy also supported the creation of Vista Hermosa Park — Downtown LA’s first park since 1910 — including funding a joint-use soccer field that serves youth and adult leagues.
2008 – Edward R. Roybal Learning Center Opens
The opening of the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center—previously known as the Belmont Learning Center—in 2008 was the culmination of years of community advocacy led by ABC to expand educational access in central Los Angeles. Beginning in 2002, ABC formed the Belmont Community Development Group (BCDG) and submitted plans for the new school. This achievement was part of a broader ABC-led effort between 2008 and 2010 that spurred historic school construction and green space development in LA.
Alongside Belmont, ABC helped bring to life the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools, a full K–12 complex opened in 2010, together creating over 6,000 new seats in some of the country’s most densely populated neighborhoods. ABC’s advocacy also supported the creation of Vista Hermosa Park — Downtown LA’s first park since 1910 — including funding a joint-use soccer field that serves youth and adult leagues.
2009-2010 – LAUSD School Report Card and Parent Engagement
After two years of advocacy, LAUSD developed a School Report Card allowing parents, students, teachers, and community members to assess school performance. ABC and Communities for Educational Equity (CEE) actively worked to update the tool, emphasizing college and career readiness and ensuring accessibility. ABC also conducted parent workshops and summits and participated on LAUSD’s Parents as Equal Partners Taskforce to strengthen parent engagement policies.
2009-2010 – LAUSD School Report Card and Parent Engagement
After two years of advocacy, LAUSD developed a School Report Card allowing parents, students, teachers, and community members to assess school performance. ABC and Communities for Educational Equity (CEE) actively worked to update the tool, emphasizing college and career readiness and ensuring accessibility. ABC also conducted parent workshops and summits and participated on LAUSD’s Parents as Equal Partners Taskforce to strengthen parent engagement policies.
2011-2012 – Parent Leadership and School Accountability Initiatives
ABC’s “Padres Creando Exito” leadership program educates and empowers parents to support their children’s education and understand reform efforts. Through workshops and summits, ABC informs parents about LAUSD’s School Report Card and advocates for stronger district-wide parent engagement policies via LAUSD’s Parents as Equal Partners Taskforce.
2011-2012 – Parent Leadership and School Accountability Initiatives
ABC’s “Padres Creando Exito” leadership program educates and empowers parents to support their children’s education and understand reform efforts. Through workshops and summits, ABC informs parents about LAUSD’s School Report Card and advocates for stronger district-wide parent engagement policies via LAUSD’s Parents as Equal Partners Taskforce.
2018 – Consortium for Multilingual Learner Success
ABC helped launch a collaborative focused on improving educational outcomes for multilingual learners through partnership and policy advocacy.
2018 – Consortium for Multilingual Learner Success
ABC helped launch a collaborative focused on improving educational outcomes for multilingual learners through partnership and policy advocacy.
2018 Voter Education
ABC deepened its civic engagement work by partnering with local organizations on voter education and outreach efforts. ABC also publishes its first LA County Latino Voter Guide, offering clear, accessible recommendations on ballot measures and their impact on the Latina/o community.
2018 Voter Education
ABC deepened its civic engagement work by partnering with local organizations on voter education and outreach efforts. ABC also publishes its first LA County Latino Voter Guide, offering clear, accessible recommendations on ballot measures and their impact on the Latina/o community.
2020 – Emergency Cash Assistance Relief
In response to COVID-19, ABC mobilized emergency cash assistance to support families and displaced workers across Southeast LA.
2020 – Emergency Cash Assistance Relief
In response to COVID-19, ABC mobilized emergency cash assistance to support families and displaced workers across Southeast LA.
2022 – SELA Votes
ABC officially launched its Integrated Voter Engagement (IVE) program, SELA Votes!, to strengthen civic infrastructure and empower Latina/o voters in Southeast Los Angeles. Partnering with seven community organizations, SELA Votes! reached more than 30,000 households, sent over 164,000 text messages through weekly “Texting Tuesdays,” and knocked on 157,690 doors. The program achieved a 14% voter identification rate, with voters committing to participate in upcoming elections. Rooted in strong local partnerships and trusted messenger outreach, the campaign demonstrated the power of community-based civic engagement to mobilize and strengthen Latina/o voter participation.
2022 – SELA Votes
ABC officially launched its Integrated Voter Engagement (IVE) program, SELA Votes!, to strengthen civic infrastructure and empower Latina/o voters in Southeast Los Angeles. Partnering with seven community organizations, SELA Votes! reached more than 30,000 households, sent over 164,000 text messages through weekly “Texting Tuesdays,” and knocked on 157,690 doors. The program achieved a 14% voter identification rate, with voters committing to participate in upcoming elections. Rooted in strong local partnerships and trusted messenger outreach, the campaign demonstrated the power of community-based civic engagement to mobilize and strengthen Latina/o voter participation.
2024 – Forced Sterilization Roundtable & Policy Reveal
ABC co-hosted a roundtable with Assemblymember Carrillo, presenting feasibility study findings and policy strategies addressing 1960s–70s forced sterilizations at LA County + USC Medical Center. Recommendations include survivor recognition, compensation, and restorative justice.
2024 – Forced Sterilization Roundtable & Policy Reveal
ABC co-hosted a roundtable with Assemblymember Carrillo, presenting feasibility study findings and policy strategies addressing 1960s–70s forced sterilizations at LA County + USC Medical Center. Recommendations include survivor recognition, compensation, and restorative justice.
2025 – Fuerza Fund Established
Led by Alliance for a Better Community, the Fuerza Fund was created to provide flexible, no-strings-attached funding to trusted Latina/o-led and serving organizations across Los Angeles—groups that are chronically underfunded despite doing essential work on the frontlines of our communities.
First activated in response to the 2025 LA County wildfires, Fuerza Fund provided life-saving cash assistance to essential workers excluded from traditional relief systems. In June 2025, it expanded to support families impacted by immigration raids across Los Angeles. To date, it has delivered more than $1.1 million in direct support to nearly 500 families. Through its three pillars—response, recovery, and resilience—the Fuerza Fund continues to strengthen community-led infrastructure and ensure long-term resilience across impacted communities.
2025 – Fuerza Fund Established
Led by Alliance for a Better Community, the Fuerza Fund was created to provide flexible, no-strings-attached funding to trusted Latina/o-led and serving organizations across Los Angeles—groups that are chronically underfunded despite doing essential work on the frontlines of our communities.
First activated in response to the 2025 LA County wildfires, Fuerza Fund provided life-saving cash assistance to essential workers excluded from traditional relief systems. In June 2025, it expanded to support families impacted by immigration raids across Los Angeles. To date, it has delivered more than $1.1 million in direct support to nearly 500 families. Through its three pillars—response, recovery, and resilience—the Fuerza Fund continues to strengthen community-led infrastructure and ensure long-term resilience across impacted communities.
Celebrating 25 Years of ABC!
Created for ABC’s 25th anniversary, this video brings together voices from across our history — founders, team members, community leaders, and partner organizations. Through their reflections, we celebrate the power of alliance, the impact of our collective work, and a shared vision for a stronger, more equitable future.