About South of L.A.

Our Mission

 

We exist to make sure SOLA families will access the most updated information in order to live the American Dream.

 

Through the teamwork at SOLA we have created a sustainable community development model designed to improve and upkeep living standards among all inner city families.

 

We especially follow and teach the guidelines of the self-health program known as “Whole Health” and a School-to-career program that features college access with professional guidance continuing through higher education.

Board of Directors

A message from our President

 

When South of Los Angeles (SOLA) was first formed as a nonprofit the focus was on helping families provide the best of all circumstances for their children's educational and social development. Then we became part of a consortium along with other nonprofits and individuals known as the Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative (LAVC), something that started up out of Mayor Garcetti's promise to make Los Angeles---and by extension the entire State of California---the best place for American military veterans to settle after their service.

 

Nobody could predict where this was going, but an interesting cultural environment evolved. Out of that reality SOLA has reformed with a dual structure that embraces the needs of all veterans and their families as our primary focus. Veterans and their family being integrated within their chosen community is our main goal.

 

From inception the University of Southern California came on board then lead the entire process by creating a whole new school of thought within their Social Work Department. By doing this, our collaborative is growing in leaps and bounds because of this research arm known as the Center for Innovation and Research.

 

This entity has quickly evolved into a formal branch in the USC School of Social Work. They are now training professional social workers how best to serve our veterans coming back home with a wide variety of personal challenges.

Luis South, President of SOLA

Community Partners

Dr. Katherine Sullivan

Dr. Katherine Sullivan is an esteemed friend to Luis, a medical professional who left USC to establish direct services to counter the reality of "hospital deserts" throughout Southern California.