Friends of St. Lawrence - Watts Youth Center

05/23/2025

Heading into summer! We celebrate all the reading and learning the students have done throughout the year and the tutors that make it happen! We look forward to seeing everyone again in the fall… enjoy your time off and remember to read!!

05/03/2025

A prayer today of thanksgiving and joy, asking God to guide and strengthen our little friends in their faith journey as they receive the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time. May you always feel the love and peace of our Lord within you.

04/07/2025

This past Saturday evening, we had the great pleasure of honoring one of our founders. A little over 25 years ago, Dr. Rich, his good friend Fr Peter, and a small group of very devoted people with a hopeful vision launched Friends of St Lawrence-Watts Youth Center. Their vision was clear and direct: Bring about educational opportunities for the youth of Watts. They knew that securing a good education is the foundation for success. And they wanted to make sure our youth had that opportunity. Twenty five years later, countless children and families have been helped along the way with afterschool tutoring and the financial aid needed to attend schools with a safe and nurturing environment. We are proud to call Dr. Rich a friend and are committed to continue his work building up the Watts community.

09/26/2024

The joy of reading is evident!

09/08/2024

Ready, set….GO!! Our 2024-25 team of tutors is well equipped to help their students be champion readers!!!

08/27/2024

We are so blessed to partner with the Los Angeles Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Our children get a healthy afterschool meal which helps fuel their minds as they work hard in Literacy!

Going to school on an empty stomach can hinder a child's capacity to learn and reach their full potential in and out of school. Thankfully, the LA Regional Food Bank and partners, including Friends of St. Lawrence, are helping provide vital sustenance to children so they can return to learning and thriving in and out of classrooms.

See more about how the Food Bank is fighting child hunger: https://www.lafoodbank.org/stories/the-la-regional-food-bank-fights-child-hunger-through-after-school-meal-program/

cc: Friends of St. Lawrence - Watts Youth Center

05/09/2024

We spied such a cute interaction between a tutor and his student. Respectful, kind, caring…
The student tutor relationship is the key to the Literacy Center’s success. The children are paired with a tutor from the Watts neighborhood who personally understands the obstacles and the opportunities their young friends are presented with and are influential in giving them the support and guidance they need to reach their academic goals. We couldn’t be more proud of the work these young people do for their community and the impact they make on their students.

05/04/2024

What a special day! May you all feel the love of our Lord, and the blessings of His goodness today and forever!!

04/29/2024

There are just 45 minutes left in our Online Silent Auction
Join us and bid on some fun items before it closes at 6

Bid on auction items in the FRIENDS OF ST LAWRENCE-WATTS YOUTH CENTER fundraising auction to help support this cause.

12/14/2023

What happens when three volunteers from LMU’s financial aid department come to explain the new FAFSA format to some curious youth and their parents? A deeper understanding of the resources out there to help us afford the education we deserve…pure magic!

10/24/2023

We have been at it for about a month now and are proud of how hard the students and tutors are working! There have been several days of 100% attendance too and we hope that that streak continues… Being present matters… in all aspects of life! Let’s keep up the hard work everyone!! ❤️

09/14/2023

Yup! That’s 30 of Watts’ finest youth giving up their weekend to get ready to be leaders by mentoring and tutoring their younger counterparts. We couldn’t be more proud!!