At our Volunteer Appreciation Brunch, we gathered to celebrate the heart of NCJWLA: our volunteers. This past year, more than 900 volunteers contributed over 3,800 hours in service, showing up across our programs and in moments of urgent need. From supporting P.A.I.D. baby showers (Pregnancy Assistance Income with Dignity), Career MOMentum events, and our LA Marathon 5K charity fundraiser, to stepping in during fire relief efforts, our volunteers were there, building stability, mobility, and prosperity for women and families across Los Angeles.
NCJWLA’s work forms a pyramid of support, with each layer strengthening the next, and our volunteers are essential to every level. As one volunteer, Zoe Marie Bel, shared about her experience greeting families at the Fire Relief Center:
“All the small things, and large things, of their lives might be gone… But I saw anger, despair, or self-pity in none of them. I was so inspired by their trust in the NCJWLA community, and so proud to be part of the community they trusted.”
Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager Allison Davalos reflected on how meaningful it was to recognize that dedication, especially when honoring volunteers who have served five times or more, including one of our youngest volunteers, Nicholas Preciado.
“Events like the Volunteer Appreciation Brunch remind our volunteers that they are valued members of our team. It’s also a chance to build community and reflect on the real impact they’ve made together.” — Allison Davalos, Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager
She also shared that NCJW|LA’s disaster relief response would not have been possible without volunteers, more than 400 of whom showed up to sort clothing, staff the relief center, and support community members during an incredibly difficult time, even as some faced personal loss themselves.
The brunch was not only a celebration but a moment to pause, reflect, and strengthen the community behind the work. Together, our volunteers help create a Los Angeles where women, and the families they care for, can thrive with dignity, choice, and lasting opportunity.