About Us

Eight decades of
community,
family & education.

Since 1940, Avalon Carver Community Center has been a cornerstone of South Los Angeles — a place where people come together to grow, heal, and thrive.

Our Mission

Caring for the whole person.

Avalon Carver works to care for the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of individuals and families through education, community outreach, and empowerment.

Since 1940, Avalon Carver Community Center in South Los Angeles has been a place for people from diverse backgrounds to join together in one space and work to make their community thrive. Built on the vision of community leader Mary B. Henry, it has strived to become a place of growth, unity, family, and positive change.

We are returning to our original mission of providing a full array of services that will strengthen families, promote economic self-sufficiency, and develop a strong sense of community.

Rendering of the future Avalon Carver campus
"From the cradle to the calculus — every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive."
— Jamico Elder, Executive Director
Our History

A legacy built over eight decades.

1940

Founded by Mary B. Henry

Avalon Carver Community Center was founded in South Los Angeles by visionary community leader Mary B. Henry, establishing a place of growth, unity, and positive change for the neighborhood.

1980

DUI & HR Programs Established

Martha Nelson joined the organization and began building out the DUI and Human Resources programs, laying the groundwork for decades of rehabilitation and community support.

2001

Bilingual DUI Services Expand

Alma Duarte joined the team, bringing bilingual DUI intake and outpatient drug-free program services to better serve the diverse South LA community.

2015

Partnership with Dr. Joy DeGruy

Avalon Carver began its ongoing collaboration with renowned researcher and psychologist Dr. Joy DeGruy, launching the "Be the Healing" education program across LAUSD schools.

2016

Jamico Elder Becomes Executive Director

Under Jamico Elder's leadership, the organization doubled its size and expanded programs to include an on-site YouthBuild High School, a 150-bed transitional age youth shelter, and STEM education programs reaching thousands of students across Los Angeles County.

Today

Stepping Into the Next Chapter

Avalon Carver is now stepping into the next chapter — with a refresh of our space, an expansion of our services, and a progressive take on the education of our community. A new future campus is on the horizon.

What We Stand For

Our core values.

🤝

Community

We believe in the power of people coming together. Every program, every service, every interaction is rooted in building a stronger, more connected community.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Family

Families are the foundation of our community. We support whole families — not just individuals — through every stage of life and every challenge they face.

📚

Education

From early childhood through adulthood, education is the pathway to opportunity. We provide access to learning at every stage, from GED completion to NASA missions.

💪

Empowerment

We don't just provide services — we build capacity. Our programs are designed to equip individuals with the skills, confidence, and resources to lead their own lives.

⚖️

Equity

South Los Angeles deserves the same opportunities as any other neighborhood. We work tirelessly to close gaps in education, health, nutrition, and economic opportunity.

🌱

Healing

Our community carries deep wounds. We approach every program with a commitment to healing — physical, mental, spiritual, and generational.

Looking Ahead

Building our future campus.

Avalon Carver is working towards building a brand new campus with our collaborators. We want to extend our reach and resources for our community and build a welcoming environment for all.

The new campus will allow us to expand our programs, serve more families, and create a state-of-the-art community hub for South Los Angeles — a place that reflects the ambition and potential of everyone we serve.

You can help make this vision a reality. Every donation goes toward the growth of our programs and activities, as well as the building of our future campus.

Help Build the Future

We are working towards building a brand new campus that will extend our reach and resources for the South Los Angeles community. Donate today to help us move towards our goal.

Donate to the Future Campus

Join our community.

Whether you want to volunteer, donate, or simply learn more — we'd love to connect with you.

Meet Our Team Get Involved