Message from the Desk of Tamara Muzac-Bravo

Dear Friend of the Corps,

I hope you’re staying cool and enjoying the summer.

This season has been filled with moments that remind me of the power of community, perseverance, and shared purpose. Like so many of our staff, I was captivated by the World Cup and had the opportunity to join colleagues at the final watch party hosted by Mayor Bass and the City of Los Angeles. Watching people unite around a shared passion and witnessing what teamwork, preparation, and determination can accomplish was truly inspiring.

That same spirit was on full display at two recent Corps celebrations, our annual high school graduation and a second ceremony recognizing participants who successfully completed an intensive eight-week firefighter career training program. I invite you to read on to learn more about these recent graduations and the remarkable people we celebrated.

To our graduates, congratulations. Your accomplishments reflect the commitment to keep showing up, overcoming challenges, embracing new opportunities, and persevering toward your goals. You have much to be proud of, and all of us at the Corps are incredibly proud of you.

To our partners, supporters and Friends of the Corps, thank you for your continued belief in our mission and in the potential of the young people we serve. Your support makes these success stories possible. I appreciate you taking the time to read our newsletter and, as always, I welcome the opportunity to connect with you.

Warmly,

In Case You Missed It...

Disaster and Emergency Preparedness In Partnership with Amazon

We participated in a video series focused on emergency preparedness and our recovery work in the Pacific Palisades in the aftermath of the 2025 wildfires. Thank you to Amazon for all you do to support disaster preparedness and recovery efforts, and for the opportunity to showcase our partnership and highlight the Corps’ work in communities across Los Angeles. click here to watch!

Corpsmembers Support Residents Following Lineage Logistics Warehouse Fire

In response to the Lineage Logistics warehouse fire in Boyle Heights, Corps staff and Corpsmembers from the East LA Site have supported ongoing community recovery efforts. Working alongside Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, County Supervisor Hilda Solis, and other partners, crews have distributed air purifiers and other essential supplies to residents affected by smoke and air quality concerns - click here to view on instagram and facebook. Click here to view the photos with Supervisor Hilda Solis.

Karla Ramos Joins the City of Los Angeles Community Forest Advisory Committee

Congratulations to Karla Ramos, our Director of Conservation Programs for the San Fernando Valley, on being officially sworn in as a committee member – click here to view on instagram and facebook.

West Valley River Rangers at Work in the Sepulveda Basin

Watch our new video featuring the River Rangers from our West Valley site in the Sepulveda Basin! In partnership with the City of Los Angeles, these Corpsmembers help keep the LA River and surrounding public spaces clean, safe, and accessible. As Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics and other major events, our River Rangers are playing an important role in improving the Sepulveda Basin and creating a lasting impact for the community - click here to view on instagram and facebook.

Celebrating the Next Generation of Wildland Firefighters

Earlier this month, on July 11, we celebrated the inaugural cohort graduation of the Forestry Fire Recruitment Program (@ffrp_ca) Wildland Firefighter Training at our headquarters in Northeast LA! 🎉

Sixteen of our Corpsmembers and eight Forestry Fire Recruitment Program trainees successfully completed this intensive eight-week firefighter career training program. Throughout the program, they embraced every challenge with determination, building the skills, confidence, and resilience needed for careers in wildland firefighting, forestry, and environmental stewardship. Their growth is a powerful reminder of what's possible when we invest in innovative workforce development opportunities and when nonprofit partners come together to maximize their collective impact.

Our CEO, Tamara Muzac-Bravo, Ph.D., and FFRP CEO and Co-Founder Royal Ramey, delivered inspiring remarks, and our former Executive Director, Bruce Saito, was honored with the Wykin Harris Award from the Forestry Fire Recruitment Program for his extraordinary leadership, nearly five decades of service, deep commitment to investing in others, and lasting impact on youth development, conservation, and fire and climate resilience.

In her remarks, Tamara talked about how the partnership between the LA Conservation Corps and the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program is about more than training. It is about creating pathways, opening doors, and ensuring young people have access to the skills, experience, relationships, and opportunities needed to pursue careers they may never have imagined possible.

July 11 was a celebratory morning, and we couldn't be prouder of our graduates.

Congratulations to each of you on this incredible achievement! Your hard work and dedication have paid off, and we can't wait to see what you accomplish next. Join us in celebrating our graduates!

Click here to view more photos on instagram and facebook.

Annual High School Graduation At the Corps

🎥 Check out our 2026 High School Graduation video! 🎓

Earning a high school diploma is a major milestone and marks the beginning of a bright and promising future. We couldn't be prouder of the Class of 2026 for all they accomplished during their time at the Corps. We look forward to seeing each graduate continue their journey toward higher education, meaningful careers, and opportunities to make a lasting impact in their communities.

Thanks to our partnership with the LA Education Corps (@laedcorps), Corpsmembers are able to earn their high school diploma while participating in our program. This collaboration has opened doors for so many young adults who may have never reached this milestone without the support of the Corps.

The ceremony was made even more meaningful through the participation of our staff. Our CEO, Tamara Muzac-Bravo, delivered inspiring remarks, while Program Directors Karla Ramos, Lawrence Melendez, and Robert Skillman shared heartfelt reflections and recognized graduates with awards celebrating their achievements and growth.

Join us in celebrating the hard work, dedication, and success of our graduates!

Click here to watch our high school graduation video and click here to view more on Instagram and facebook.

After School Program Updates

Congratulations, Deana Porras, Sr. Program Manager, on being selected as a 2026 Fellow in the GPSN LA Leads Program!  LA Leads is a highly selective fellowship that develops emerging public education advocates and leaders across Los Angeles. The program is dedicated to cultivating a network of leaders committed to improving student outcomes and expanding educational opportunities for all students.

Congratulations to Ricie Frazier, Program Manager, on serving as a guest speaker at the Expand LA Neighborhood Games! The Expand LA Neighborhood Games brings together community-based organizations, and expanded learning providers for a day of fun, teamwork, and healthy competition while showcasing the power of afterschool and out-of-school-time programs. The event celebrates the important role these programs play in helping young people build confidence, leadership, friendships, and lifelong skills beyond the classroom.

As our After School Summer Programming officially comes to a close, we want to thank our students, families, school partners, and dedicated staff for an incredible summer.  This summer, students had the opportunity to connect with friends, engage in hands-on learning, discover new interests, and explore new experiences in a safe, supportive, and enriching environment. From STEM and arts to sports, leadership, literacy, and team-building activities, each day was filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and have fun.

As we celebrate another successful summer, our team is already shifting gears and preparing for the upcoming school year. We look forward to welcoming students back to our after-school programs and continuing to provide engaging learning experiences that support their academic success, personal growth, and overall well-being.