SHIELDS for Families

SHIELDS for Families Believing, Building, Becoming At the time, few had hope for these children. Even fewer had hope for their parents and families. in 1991. And they have.

In 1987, physicians at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center delivered 1,200 infants exposed prenatally to drugs—an all-time annual high in Los Angeles and in our nation’s history. There were no programs designed to serve the special needs of this population, and the future looked bleak. Full of hope, three women banded together to put an end to this epidemic and founded SHIELDS for Families,

Inc. Although Kathryn Icenhower, Xylina Bean and Norma Mtume came from different backgrounds, they shared the belief that they could help shape the future. Today, SHIELDS is a nationally and internationally recognized organization that offers award-winning programs in Los Angeles’ most challenged communities. The organization has grown to serve more than 5,000 families each year, employing more than 320 full-time staff, with an annual budget of more than $21 million. SHIELDS operates 30 programs, including four collaborative networks in which SHIELDS serves as the lead agency.

LAnow CODE: PRIMARY2026Metro CODE: 060226
06/02/2026

LAnow CODE: PRIMARY2026
Metro CODE: 060226

05/31/2026
05/29/2026

SHIELDS Employee. Benefits Fair!

05/28/2026

New location
600 N Alameda St
Compton, CA 90222

05/18/2026

Register To Vote By MAIL DEADLINE TODAY, MAY 18!

Are you eligible to vote but not yet registered and would like to receive a Vote‑by‑Mail ballot?
👉REGISTER ONLINE:
https://www.lavote.gov/home/voting-elections/voter-registration/register-to-vote/register

Certain voters facing life-threatening situations may qualify for confidential voter status.
👉CONFIDENTIAL VOTER REGISTRATION
https://www.lavote.gov/home/voting-elections/voter-registration/voter-registration-programs/confidential-voter-registration

05/07/2026

A heartfelt thank you to The Giving Spirit for donating bags filled with essentials for parents and parents-to-be. 💛 Families were also treated to lunch and inspired by powerful stories of hope, strength, and community support. Together, we continue uplifting and empowering one another every step of the way.

04/28/2026

Wear your jeans! April 29
Denim Day asks community members, elected officials, businesses, students, and all individuals to make a social statement with their fashion by wearing jeans as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that continue to surround sexual violence.
By wearing denim, we stand in solidarity with survivors and help raise awareness about sexual violence prevention.
Thank you for joining us in this important day of action and awareness.

Address

11601 S. Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
90047

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+13232425000

Website

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