At the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District’s McKinney-Vento Community Center, our mission is to ensure that every student has the support they need to succeed, regardless of the challenges they may be facing outside the classroom.
As one of the district’s new Community Center Liaisons, I am proud to be part of a team dedicated to serving students and families experiencing housing instability. Our office functions as a one-stop referral center, helping families connect with community resources and services that address their individual needs.
The McKinney-Vento Program exists to remove barriers that can interfere with a child’s education. Through long-standing partnerships with local organizations, we have developed a coordinated system of support that helps families access services quickly and efficiently when they need them most.
Our collaborative network includes organizations such as Blue Shield of California, the Department of Social Services, The Whole Child, Fair Housing Foundation, Health on Wheels, Jovenes Inc., the Los Angeles County Office of Education, and many other valued partners. Together, we work to connect families with housing assistance, healthcare services, food resources, transportation support, and other essential needs.
Whether it is helping with basic necessities, providing gift cards, or making referrals to community agencies, our goal is to ensure families receive the support necessary to keep students engaged and successful in school.
The need for these services remains significant throughout our district. According to district data, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District serves more than 15,000 students, with approximately 2,600 identified as McKinney-Vento students. The majority of these students are classified as “doubled-up,” meaning they are temporarily living with relatives or friends due to economic hardship or loss of housing.
Many people are surprised to learn that homelessness is often hidden. Families may not be living on the streets, but they are still facing housing instability that can impact a student’s education and overall well-being.
This year also marks an exciting new chapter for our program. We have welcomed a new Coordinator, Crystal Soriano Garay, along with a new team of Community Center Liaisons. What makes our team unique is that we come with experience from within NLMUSD schools. Many of us previously served as McKinney-Vento Tutors, Parent Aides, or Community Schools staff members, giving us firsthand knowledge of the challenges students and families face.
Because of those experiences, we understand the importance of building relationships and providing compassionate support. When families walk into our office, they are the most important part of our day. We strive to make every interaction meaningful by listening, following through, and helping families find solutions.
Looking ahead, we are modernizing our services by developing a new website that will provide families with updated information and easier access to resources. The website will help connect families with our community partners and allow us to reach those who may be unable to visit our office in person.
At the heart of the McKinney-Vento Program is a simple belief: every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. We remain committed to supporting our students and families with kindness, compassion, and the resources they need to succeed.
For more information about McKinney-Vento services, families may contact the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Community Center for assistance and referrals.
By Robyn Vera, Community Center Liaison, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District
