Dear Friend of the Corps,  

It’s official, the LA Conservation Corps turns 40 today!

Forty years ago, we were founded with an important purpose: to create a safe space where young people in Los Angeles could work on themselves while serving their community.

Founded by former United States Secretary of Commerce Mickey Kantor, our doors opened on April 16, 1986, with 27 young adult Corpsmembers in a decommissioned fire station in South Los Angeles, now known as the Russell Kantor Center. Since then, the LA Conservation Corps has continued to grow, becoming one of the largest local corps in the United States.

After 40 years, there’s no denying we’ve left our mark on the greater Los Angeles area. Below are some remarkable milestones that still amaze me:

All of this has been made possible thanks to our incredible Staff, Corpsmembers, Board of Directors, and partners. I would also like to recognize the outstanding leaders who came before me:

Mickey Kantor – Founder

Martha Diepenbrock – First Executive Director

Bruce Saito – Second Executive Director

Wendy Butts – Immediate Past Chief Executive Officer

Each of them played a vital role in building the Corps into the organization it is today, growing from a small group of young adult Corpsmembers in 1986 to over 200 Corpsmember deploying from six worksites everyday, from the San Fernando Valley to Compton, and 22 After School Program sites at LAUSD schools.

I hope you saw this 40th Anniversary video message we released earlier this month to kick off the celebration.

Below, you’ll find ways to support the LA Conservation Corps in honor of our 40-year celebration. Please take a moment to explore the options and help us usher in the decade ahead. We couldn’t have made it this far without your support, and we’re so grateful to have you as part of our growing Corps family.

I am deeply grateful and honored to serve as CEO of such an impactful nonprofit. It’s truly special to step into this role at such a pivotal moment in our history.

Cheers to 40 years!

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Reserve a Plaque on the 40th Anniversary Honor Wall

We are excited to announce our 40th Anniversary Honor Wall, which will be hand painted at our Northeast Los Angeles location by Stephanie Conde, Visual Arts Instructor at Saito High School. The new art inspired wall will feature a mural of a native oak tree adorned with plaques bearing the names of our generous supporters.

To reserve a spot on the 40th Anniversary Honor Wall, the only requirement is a total donation of $1,000 or more to the LA Conservation Corps during this fiscal year (June 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026). This includes general donations (from any individual, Corporation or Foundation) as well as contributions to our 40th Anniversary Luncheon. If you have already contributed $1,000 or more this fiscal year, your name, company, or organization will already be included on the wall.

We see the Honor Wall as a meaningful way to thank the incredible supporters who have helped grow and shape the organization into what it is today. For that reason, no symbol is more fitting than a tree.

For more information about supporting the mural through a donation, please contact: donation@lacorps.org

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Sponsor or Buy a Ticket to Our 40th Anniversary Luncheon

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Our 40th Anniversary Luncheon is four weeks away, and we would be thrilled to have your support in this milestone year. Individual tickets start at $500, and sponsorship opportunities begin at $5,000.

For more information about becoming a sponsor, donating via check, or general event inquiries, please contact donation@lacorps.org or 213-362-9000 ext. 267.

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Donate to Support Our Work

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Check out our new merchandise page celebrating our 40th Anniversary! A portion of each merchandise purchase goes directly to support the Corps.

For 40 years, the LA Conservation Corps has strengthened Los Angeles by investing in young people and the environment. Each year, we engage more than 5,000 young people across Greater Los Angeles. As we enter our fourth decade, we invite you to help carry this legacy forward with a gift in support of our work.

Or donate using Text-to-Give by texting CORPS40 to 41444

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