About Us
Twenty-six years on the same corner.
Hands4Hope LA started in 2000 with a simple idea: kids from low-income, single-parent homes deserve the same enrichment as anyone else, free, close to home, from people who learn every name. We’ve been keeping that promise in the San Fernando Valley ever since.
Our Mission
Hands4Hope LA provides support to youth and their parents from low-income, underserved, predominantly single-parent households to improve their quality of life. We do this through educational enrichment, wellness programming, mentorship, workforce readiness, and family support. Through safe, nurturing, and culturally responsive programs, we help young people build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to thrive.
The Four Pillars
Everything we do stands on four hands.
Develop Talents
Music, dance, and art, taught weekly and proven every June when students take the showcase stage.
Instill Life Skills
Homework done, healthy meals shared, and the everyday habits that carry into adulthood.
Broaden Horizons
The zoo, Dodger Stadium, the Science Center. Experiences kids wouldn’t otherwise get.
Build Self Esteem
Mentors who know every name, small groups, and a stage where every student stands tall.
Small on purpose
Lydia Floyd built Hands4Hope LA on four pillars and a bet: that a program serving dozens deeply beats a program serving thousands thinly. Twenty-six years later, the bet still holds. Two homes, two school partnerships, one park we fill every May.
The people who know every name
Program coordinators, music instructors, drivers, tutors. Many have been here for years; some grew up in the program. This is who your kids spend their afternoons with.
Lydia Floyd
CEO & Founder
B.S. Business Administration, Univ. of Albuquerque · M.S. Organizational Leadership, Univ. of Redlands
Francisco Arechiga
Executive Director
“Working with low-income families and students is my passion in life!”
B.A. Psychology · MBA Nonprofit Management, American Jewish University
Angelica De La Torre
Associate Director, Finance
“The Hands4Hope LA youth inspire me to be a better person.”
B.S. Business Administration, Cal State LA · Financial Accounting Certificate, HBS Online · M.S. Accounting (expected 2028), Univ. of San Francisco
Jeff Holmes
Program Director
“I love my team and all the wonderful staff as we work together to positively impact the lives of our youth.”
B.S. Business Marketing, Cal State Northridge · M.S. Nonprofit Management, Biola University
Jason Floyd
Teen Program Director
“I enjoy the process of helping our students overcome challenges and watching them grow from their experiences.”
B.A. Pan African Studies, Cal State Northridge · M.Div., Fuller Theological Seminary
Domonique Paton
Funds Development Coordinator
“I really enjoy watching the kids learn to play music.”
B.A. Business Administration, SNHU
Veronica Casey
Program Coordinator
“I am grateful to work alongside the Hands4Hope LA team dedicated to nurturing the lives of our youth through mentorship, creativity, and learning!”
B.A. Studio Art, San Diego State
Sandra Salas
Program Coordinator
“I enjoy working for Hands4Hope LA because I get to make an impact on the students’ lives and because Hands4Hope LA makes an impact on mine.”
B.A. Child Development (expected 2027), Cal State Northridge
Braxton Floyd
Transportation & Program Lead
“I am part of a great team, and I love everyone I come in contact with at Hands4Hope LA.”
Erick Ojeda
Program Lead
“I enjoy helping the kids and getting them to be positive and to teach them that everybody is a friend at Hands4Hope LA.”
Sherry Hill
Administrative Assistant, HR
“I am so impressed with Hands4Hope LA’s longevity and accomplishments. No matter what obstacles may arise, Hands4Hope LA comes shining through.”
Andrew Romo
Social Media Coordinator
Hands4Hope LA Alumni
Board of Directors
The volunteer leaders who steer the organization.
Chris Peterson
Board President
Digital Project Masters
Otis Robson
Board Vice President
ACE Home Solutions, Inc.
Guillermo Saade
Board Treasurer
Prudential
Karissa Shadoan
Board Secretary
Realtor
Michele Hines
Skywalker Properties, LLC
Pasquale Petix
Teacher, Lankershim Elementary School
Carol Saunders
Owner, Grand Events, Inc.
Michael Wischer
Live Nation / Ticketmaster
Christina Barredo
JLUX LABEL
Jennifer Parsignault
Employer Compliance, PWGA
Erendira Cronkhite
Summit Business Advisors
Where we are
Two homes of our own, plus on-site programs at partner schools.
North Hollywood
11210 Otsego Street
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Van Nuys
7335 Van Nuys Blvd #204
Van Nuys, CA 91405
Vaughn High School
On-site programming at our partner school.
Lankershim Arts
Arts programming in the NoHo Arts District.
Ready for them to find their thing? Registration takes minutes.
Every program is free. Low-cost transportation from partner schools is available.