Some staff at CHD’s Children and Families programs who are involved in a charitable organization that raises awareness of violence in the community collected Thanksgiving bags full of turkeys and other food to distribute to 13 families of youths in the division’s programs.

The nonprofit organization, L.A. Foundation, was started by the family of Cliff Fontanez, a family caseworker for CHD’s Children and Families Programs, whose nephew Larry Santiago Jr., was a fatal victim of gun violence in Ludlow in 2016.

“We’re the type of family that likes to give back,” said his sister, MaryLuz Santiago, who began the foundation in memory of her son. “Be the Change” is the motto of the foundation, which is dedicated to helping those less fortunate and keeping Larry’s memory alive.

Pictured are MaryLuz Santiago; Keith Hedlund, CHD program director, Homeless Youth Support & Stabilization; and Cliff’s niece Matilda Santiago.