Life Connected

We are all connected. These stories focus on how we come together across our Southern California community.

Life Connected Mar 16

‘Music Heals': Program at Homeboy Industries Helps Heal Emotional Scars

They stroll into the room one by one, taking their seats in front of drums and other musical instruments. They bring with them energy, excitement, and enthusiasm, along with some pain they hope to hea...

Life Connected Mar 9

Family and 8-year-old with Degenerative Disease Find Joy and Assistance in Community Connections
Life Connected Mar 2

How a Visit to an LA County Museum Inspired a Future Biologist

Life Connected Mar 11

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Have a story you think would be perfect for our Life Connected series? Send us your story ideas by emailing us at tips@nbcla.com
Life Connected Feb 24

After His Daughter's Death, A Choir Director Pursued Service

The voices of the Los Angeles Inner City Mass Choir practice once a week in a South LA church, but the group’s founder says they resonate beyond the chapel doors. “[It’s] not a church choi...
Dog Feb 25

6-Year-Old Boy With Autism Brightens Dog's Days With Story Time

For the abandoned dogs at Carson Animal Shelter, every day is an agonizing wait for somebody to come and take them home.
Dog Feb 24

Pit Bull Out of Shelter After 6-Year-Old Boy With Autism Reads to Him

A pit bull named Pirate was out of the shelter Tuesday after the story went viral of a 6-year-old boy with autism reading to him.

Life Connected Feb 3

Breast Cancer Survivor's Foundation Provides Hair Options for Cancer Patients

A two-day “pity party” is all Tarsha Rodgers allowed herself after receiving her breast cancer diagnosis. After the self-pity came, she decided that she would help other women like her. In 2014, Rodgers was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. There were second and third opinions, surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy, and the reality of losing...
Claris Health Jan 20

Claris Health Leads Mobile Health Unit to Underserved Communities

Monica Mendez and Jessica Chow both faced unplanned pregnancies at a young age. Each made a different choice. “When I saw the pregnancy stick, I thought my life was over,” said Chow, who decided to have an abortion. “I don’t want to do this, I want to keep my child,” Mendez, who had her child, said. Mendez and Chow...
Canoga Park Jan 13

Former Player Returns to Lead High School to Glory

We don’t often see successful entrepreneurs returning to their roots, but that’s not the case with a local security expert looking to reconnect with a high school football team that hadn’t won a championship in decades. Coach Kevin Carlsen led Canoga Park High School to within one win of reaching the state championship, but that&#...
Arleta Jan 6

Former Student Donates $1 Million to High School in Arleta

The New Year brings new hope. For college-bound students at one Sun Valley school, a former student who graduated half a century ago has come back with a generous gift: a million dollars worth of education. Jerry Kline’s scholarship is the largest ever bestowed on a school in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The 10 winners of the firs...
Life Connected Dec 30, 2019

Grandma's House of Hope Helps Homelessness in Orange County

The face of homelessness is changing. In Orange County, experts say half of the homeless are over 50 years old and half became homeless for the first time after 50. However, one Orange County woman who knew the struggles firsthand, made the choice to do something about it. Je’net Kreitner started the organization Grandma’s House of Hope...
Life Connected Dec 24, 2019

‘Bionic Ninja' Faces Challenge in Stride

A local woman is adjusting to needing help from the people she made a career of helping.
homelessness Dec 18, 2019

‘Happy Period' Makes Feminine Hygiene Kits for Homeless

The big goal, Chelsea Vonchaz says, is to eliminate the stigma around periods and make sure homeless women have access to these necessary products. Carolyn Johnson and Halie Cook report for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019.
Life Connected Dec 16, 2019

Red Songbird Foundation Awarding Scholarships for Rehabilitation

Through the Red Songbird Foundation, reality TV star Jason Wahler and singer-songwriter Hilary Roberts are giving out scholarships for rehabilitation, in hopes that more people get the help they need.
Life Connected Dec 9, 2019

Charity Hands Out Period Products to Women on Skid Row

Donations to the homeless often include food, clothing or soap, but for many women on Skid Row, feminine hygiene products are a sometimes-forgotten need. “When you don’t have access, you ain’t got nothing,”said Shirley, a homeless woman from Los Angeles. “You have to use the next thing available. It might be some clothes, it could...
Nov 11, 2019

LAPD Officer Gives Back by Teaching Kids to ‘Just Say No'

A Los Angeles Police Department officer has made it his mission to mentor young children and keep them away from drugs, gangs, crime and bullying.
Los Angeles Nov 5, 2019

Singer from South Central LA Brings Mentoring Program Designed to Empower Young Girls

A singer who grew up in Watts is now a success story and is helping empower young girls through a unique mentoring program.
Los Angeles Oct 28, 2019

13-Year-old Girl With Cerebral Palsy Finds Comfort and Future at Chatsworth Campus

It is a fear facing many special needs parents every day, who will take care of your child when you are no longer able to care for them?...
One family in Woodland Hills is no longer worried about their daughter’s future. They’ve not only found a place to cater to all of her needs but also a place where she can...
America Oct 21, 2019

Skechers ‘Friendship Walk' to Raise Funds for Students with Special Needs

Celebrities and community members are expected at Skecher’s 11th annual “Pier to Pier Friendship Walk” next Sunday, Oct. 27, an event aimed at raising millions of dollars for education and kids with special needs.

Life Connected

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