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CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified students, District officials and dignitaries celebrated the launch of the La Puente High School Dream Resource Center with an opening ceremony on April 12, unveiling a welcoming, safe space where students can create, relax and collaborate.

The center is funded by the District and the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations’ (LACCHR) community-centered program, LA vs. Hate. The nonprofit organization 211-LA and the Helpline Youth Counseling program also support the facility, which provides social, emotional and academic services, snacks, workshops and supplies for students experiencing bullying and exclusion.

The event included an exciting introduction by Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, followed by the presentation of colors led by Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets and performances led by La Puente High School’s choir and dance team. During the ceremony, guests listened to touching speeches from students and honorary guests, including Board President Christine H. Salazar, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano and LACCHR Executive Director for LA vs. Hate, Robin Toma, describing the importance and vast benefits of the new dream center.

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“On behalf of the entire Board, I’d like to thank all our elected officials and representatives for coming out to celebrate this amazing resource center with our La Puente High School students and staff,” Salazar said. “The free resources this center provides our students are making a long-lasting impact and will continue to support future generations of LPHS students and the greater community. Thank you to all our partners who made this center a dream come true.”

Following the ceremony, guests heard student testimonials and toured the center, immersing themselves in a tranquil and welcoming room adorned with inspirational quotes, vision boards and tables topped with resources, games and calming activities. The center is complete with modernized furniture pieces designed to increase peace and provide spaces for meditation and studying.

“The Dream Resource Center is a sanctuary that provides an abundance of readily available resources, including snacks, social-emotional support and peer-to-peer counseling services for all students,” junior Krystal Maldonado said. “The center has allowed me to share my dreams with my peers and mentors. Thank you to everyone that helped bring this safe haven to life.”

The center and all its resources, including the support staff funded by 211-LA and the Helpline Youth Counseling Program, are available daily for all La Puente High School students. 

“Our District is grateful to all our Dream Resource Center partners for working with us to make this center a reality for our La Puente High School community,” Jiménez said. “Thank you to all our student speakers for sharing their powerful and uplifting stories of the dream resource center with our guests of honor and for your continued efforts to encourage more students to visit the center, cultivate change and inspire one another to dream big.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

HLPUSD_DREAMRESOURCECENTER1: La Puente High School sophomore Isaiah Mancia shares his experiences and goals for the Dream Resource Center during an opening ceremony on April 12.

HLPUSD_DREAMRESOURCECENTER2: From left to right: Student speakers Isaiah Mancia, Arianna Guerra, Helpline Youth Counseling Executive Director Jeff Farber, Board Vice President Stephanie Serrano, Board member Nancy Loera, Board President Christine H. Salazar, Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, Principal Dr. Lisa Lopez, Board member Gino Kwok, LACCHR Executive Director Robin Toma, JROTC cadet George Salazar and student speaker Krystal Maldonado unveil the new Dream Resource center with a ribbon-cutting.

HLPUSD_DREAMRESOURCECENTER3: From left to right: Freshman Karen De Luna, sophomore’s Isaiah Mancia and Ashley Corella and Principal Dr. Lisa Lopez discuss the benefits of the “Express Yourself” wall during the dream center self-guided tours on April 12.