Impact Report 2024 - 2025

Our team addressed the problem of food insecurity and the lack of accessible nutrition education in our community, particularly among students and their families. This need is directly aligned with our impact area of improving community health and wellness through food access, education, and empowerment. To better understand the landscape, we researched local food assistance programs, existing nutrition workshops, and school-based meal initiatives, noting gaps in culturally relevant cooking education and opportunities for direct family engagement. We also consulted reports from the LA Food Bank, USDA food insecurity data, and surveyed students and families to assess their needs and interests. This research helped us design a program that not only provided food resources but also empowered families with practical, sustainable cooking skills.

Our team’s top achievements from the GirlsBuild project include volunteering consistently at the LA Food Bank every month, which allowed us to directly support hundreds of families facing food insecurity. We successfully assembled and distributed food kits that provided essential ingredients to those in need. We created a series of engaging cooking video tutorials that taught students how to prepare healthy and affordable meals at home. Our fundraising efforts made significant progress toward purchasing a mobile kitchen that will expand food education opportunities next year. Finally, we built stronger community connections by recruiting students’ family members to share their cultural recipes and teach cooking lessons, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable program.

• Lesley H. 12th Grade: Being part of GBLA for the past 7 years I have loved how everyone is supportive and encourages each other to thrive inside and outside Girls Build.

• Fern C. 12th Grade:  Being part of GBLA has taught me a lot and one thing that really has stayed with me is supporting the amazing girls around me, support one another and always be there for each other.

• Mellanie S. 11th Grade : this year I have came to relazation that GBLA needs more funding and resources but overall the club has made memorial moments for me. 

• Erica H. 12th Grade : Being in GBLA, I have learnt how to help other women when they are not feeling the best and helping them do bigger and better things in life.

• Gerardo V. 12th Grade: Being in GBLA for 3 years, I have loved the club because everyone is so welcoming here and the mission is an great cause that me and the members are very passionate about addressing. 

• Andrea B. 11th Grade: Being part of GBLA this year has helped me get to know a lot more of my peers and learn how to not be afraid of speaking up to help reach our mission. 

• Raquel G. 11th Grade: Being part of GBLA for the past 2 years has allowed me to take action in my community.

• Jaelyn Garcia 12th Grade: Being part of GBLA this year has helped me understand who I am and was able to find a voice to advocate for what I believe in.

• Leonardo C. 12th Grade: Being part of GBLA allowed me to support women and fight issues in our community.

• Cindy R. 11th Grade: This year in GBLA I enjoyed being able to help my community out by creating food tote bags and being able to make new connections. 

• Anna R. 11th Grade: Being part of GBLA this year allowed me to help my community by going to the Food Bank and organized boxes with food to give out our community. 

• Amy M. 9th Grade: I have really enjoyed my 1st year of GBLA, this year I have learn and experienced new stuff. Also, contribute to the group by doing significant things such as, creating the website, helping with fundraisers, attending to field trips, etc.