Designated Exceptional Services for Independence

09/24/2026

Every week, over 400 families in East Los Angeles count on our food bank to show up.

And every week, we do. With fresh produce, groceries, and a team of clients with developmental disabilities who run the whole operation themselves.

September is Hunger Action Month. This video is our answer to the question: what does fighting hunger actually look like in East LA?

It looks like this. It looks like us. And it looks like you.

🟠 Become a monthly Sustainer at desisocal.org and make sure we can keep showing up, no matter what.

09/09/2026

Every Wednesday morning, our team shows up.

We sort. We pack. We distribute fresh produce and groceries to 400+ families in East Los Angeles — week in, week out.

No family turned away. No good food wasted.

Since 2016, our food bank has been built on one idea: everyone belongs here. That includes our clients with disabilities, who help run it.

Swipe to see how it works 👉

09/08/2026

Big news from the D.E.S.I. family! 🎊

Our client Angie just completed our Paid Internship Program and officially started her career at the YMCA — and her very first day included leading TWO classes for babies and toddlers (6 months to 2 years old). She taught music and movement and a Young Einsteins science class, and by all accounts, she was wonderful.

Her D.E.S.I. job coach was right there cheering her on:

"Angie did great interacting with the 6 month to 2 year olds and their parents in her classes... Way to go Angie!!"

This is the mission in action — supporting people with disabilities to find meaningful, lasting employment. Angie, we couldn't be more proud. 💙

Share this post to celebrate with us!

09/01/2026

We want you to meet Edna. 🌟

Edna joined D.E.S.I. through the TSE program after reading the story of our founder — and she knew right away this was somewhere she belonged. She works in administration, but during breaks and lunch you'll find her with clients, doing card tricks, talking Pokémon and anime, and finding every possible way to connect.

Her goal is simple: make sure every person who walks through our doors feels seen and valued.

When Edna faced a medical emergency shortly after starting, the support she received from our team — especially our Executive Director Liz — made her commitment to D.E.S.I. even stronger. That's the culture we work hard to build every day.

People like Edna are why D.E.S.I. works. 💛

Read the full spotlight →

Edna –  Team Spotlight D.E.S.I.: What brought you to D.E.S.I.? Edna: When I first came here through the TSE program, I had a couple of other opportunities. But when I…

08/29/2026

🎲 Tickets are NOW on sale for the D.E.S.I. 18th Anniversary & Casino Night!
We're celebrating 18 years of serving the East Los Angeles community — and we want YOU there.
📅 Thursday, October 15, 2026
⏰ 5–9pm
📍 St. Alphonsus School, 552 Amalia Ave, Los Angeles 90022
Every ticket includes:
🃏 $100 in free play for casino games
🥂 1 complimentary beverage
🍽️ Appetizers
This is going to be a night to remember. Get your tickets here 👉 https://tr.ee/Y6Odyt
Tag someone you're bringing! 👇

08/27/2026

PJ made a big move 🚌

Armed with his new Access card, he rode the bus all the way to Splash Aquatics Center — a travel training milestone AND a wellness win, all in one afternoon. Swimming at one of his favorite spots? That's the reward for doing the hard work of building independence.

This is what it looks like when someone steps fully into their community. We couldn't be prouder of PJ!

08/07/2026

Miss an update? We don't always catch you on social — subscribe to D.E.S.I.'s mailing list and get the latest news straight to your inbox.

Designated Exceptional Services for Independence Email Forms

07/30/2026

☀️ Stay Safe & Cool, Community! ☀️

With extreme heat hitting Southern California, taking steps early can keep you, your family, and your neighbors safe. As a proud CBO partner with Southern California Edison (SCE), D.E.S.I. is here to share vital heat safety and grid outage preparation tips:

🚰 Stay Hydrated: Keep water close and avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks.

📱 Get Outage Alerts: Sign up for real-time updates directly from SCE.

❄️ Find a Cooling Center: Locate a safe, air-conditioned spot near you if you need relief.

🔋 Backup Power: If you rely on medical equipment, look into SCE’s Critical Care Backup Battery program.

Read the full guide for more tips on protecting your home and family this summer:
🔗 https://energized.edison.com/stories/how-to-stay-safe-during-high-heat

Together, let's look out for one another and stay heat-ready!

Summers in California really know how to bring the heat — and as temperatures climb, so does energy use. That combination can place added stress on the electric grid, which may ...