When Erick Ponce Furlos arrived in Los Angeles in 2005, he was just 7 years old. His family had journeyed from La Balsa, Veracruz, Mexico, with hope in their hearts. The transition to a new country, language, and culture was daunting but it was also where Erick’s new life began.
Within days of arriving, Erick was enrolled at 28th Street Elementary and welcomed into the LA’s BEST afterschool program. He remembers how a staff member sat with his mom, patiently walking her through what the program was and how it could help. From the beginning, LA’s BEST gave Erick what his family needed most: support, structure, and a place to grow.
“For me, it meant a safe place where I could keep learning,” Erick shared. “My parents didn’t speak English, so helping with homework wasn’t easy for them. LA’s BEST filled that gap and helped me learn, find my voice, and feel at home.”
Through hands-on activities like sports, art, cooking, and gardening, Erick began to find his place. He made friends, practiced English, and started to thrive not just as a student but as a kid adjusting to life in a brand-new city. For his parents, LA’s BEST meant peace of mind: they could work to build a future without worrying about childcare.
Erick was the first in his family to join LA’s BEST, but not the last. His younger brother followed, then his youngest sister. Each of them carried the lessons they learned in the program into every part of their lives—lessons about community, curiosity, and believing in yourself.
“LA’s BEST didn’t just support me,” Erick said. “It helped my whole family find our footing”
Now grown, Erick carries those early experiences with him, and he sees how much those early years still matter.
