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Welcome to

Las Candalistas

We are a 100% volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to benefiting children and the environment in the South Bay of Los Angeles County.

Contact Us

Our 2025-26 Philanthropies

Boys & Girls Clubs of the LA Harbor

Community’s Child
Family Promise of the South Bay logo

Family Promise of the South Bay
Marine Mammal Care Center logo

Marine Mammal Care Center

Providence TrinityCare Hospice Foundation
Rainbow Services logo

Rainbow Services
Sage SoCal logo

Sage SoCal
South Bay Children’s Health Center logo

South Bay Children’s Health Center
South Coast Botanic Garden logo

South Coast Botanic Garden
Toberman Neighborhood Center logo

Toberman Neighborhood Center

Boys & Girls Clubs of the LA Harbor

True to their mission since 1937, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the LA Harbor help young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. They achieve this through a commitment to quality programs and service sin an environment that is safe, nurturing, and inspiring. We support their College Bound program which has had a success rate of 99% of graduates going to college every fall.

Community’s Child

We proudly support the Health Bags program. This school food delivery program was implemented in 2014 in response to the finding that 27% of the school age children attending Community’s Child Torrance Memorial Health & Wellness Event tested positive for anemia. The program targets children in the South Bay that are food insecure and in need of nutritional assistance. As a result, anemia rates have been reduced to 4%!

Family Promise of the South Bay logo

Family Promise of the South Bay

Founded in 2015, Family Promise of the South Bay provides a trauma-informed shelter program that keeps families together while helping them build long-term stability. We welcome all family types and focus on children’s well-being, unity, and hope during times of homelessness. In addition, our free six-week Summer Learning Camp offers K–8 students hands-on academics, social-emotional learning, and joy, while giving parents time to pursue work and stability.

Marine Mammal Care Center logo

Marine Mammal Care Center

The Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles rescues and rehabilitates sick and injured sea lions, seals, and elephant seals, giving them a second chance at life in the ocean. As the only facility of its kind in Los Angeles County, MMCCLA also provides free public viewing and educational programs, inspiring more than 24,000 visitors each year to care for our ocean. Support helps us treat hundreds of marine mammals annually and teach thousands of students about conservation and protecting marine life.

Providence TrinityCare Hospice Foundation

Providence TrinityCare Hospice Foundation has compassionately entered the lives of individuals faced with the realities of suffering, loss, death, and grief, to offer expert care and education, while respecting each person’s choices, values, and beliefs, for more than 40 years. They take pride in the fact that they never turn anyone away due to their ability to pay. Specifically, Las Candalistas supports TrinityKids Care which is the only pediatric hospice and palliative care provider serving Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Rainbow Services logo

Rainbow Services

Rainbow Services empowers survivors of domestic violence with shelter, housing, legal support, and education to help families move beyond trauma toward safety and stability. Through trauma-informed programs for children and prevention education for youth, we strengthen resilience and foster lasting change in our community.

Sage SoCal logo

Sage SoCal

Sage SoCal breaks down barriers to care by providing free, school-based mental health therapy that helps students thrive both personally and academically. With most of our budget devoted directly to therapists, we deliver essential, consistent support to thousands of students across Southern California.

South Bay Children’s Health Center logo

South Bay Children’s Health Center

South Bay Children’s Health Center delivers vital dental and mental health care to underserved children, teens, and young adults across the South Bay. Through comprehensive treatment, prevention, and education, we empower youth to overcome barriers and thrive in health and wellness.

South Coast Botanic Garden logo

South Coast Botanic Garden

South Coast Botanic Garden is a vital resource where nature, education, and community converge, offering exhibitions, programs, and plant collections that inspire environmental awareness and stewardship. With free and reduced-access initiatives, the Garden ensures families, students, and underserved communities can enjoy nature’s benefits as a sanctuary for well-being and learning. From school field trips to the SOAR Butterfly exhibit and the upcoming Children and Family Garden, we spark curiosity, connection, and conservation in the next generation.

Toberman Neighborhood Center logo

Toberman Neighborhood Center

Toberman Neighborhood Center has been a trusted partner to families in the Harbor Area for over 120 years, providing responsive & trauma-informed services that meet the evolving needs of our community. Their programs are designed with one purpose in mind: to support the health, stability, and success of children by addressing the real-world challenges they and their families face every day. Las Candalistas supports their Food Pantry which serves 1,590 youth through targeted food access and family stabilization services.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

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Our Sponsors

Click on Logos for More Info

Bombas
Chefdora
DianeStone
Foto
Kelly Laura
Modern Jewelers
Palos Verdes Magazine
Wander Africa
Water Replenishment
Wyland Foundation
TheNesicolaciFamilyFoundation

Social News

Las Candalistas

Las Candalistas
Las Candalistas2 weeks ago
This holiday season, Las Candalistas members came together in an extraordinary way to support families in need through our Adopt-A-Family program. Thanks to our members overwhelming generosity, we were able to bring joy, warmth, and hope to 3 of our Philanthropy’s households, who may have otherwise gone without.

Each adopted family received personalized gifts, essential items, and grocery support tailored to their unique needs. These contributions not only brightened the holidays for our recipients but also reminded them that they are valued members of our community.

In addition, we also delivered over 200 toiletry bags items filled with necessities to women and men in local shelters. This has been a Las Candalistas tradition for many years!

Pictured (along with lucky Las Candalistas members who got to play Santa) are Tara Nierenhausen, Executive Director of Community's Child; Lina Takeda, Executive Directive of Family Promise of Los Angeles; and Norma Gonzalez, Bilingual Cancer Support Navigator, along with Christine Byrne, Development Director, of Cancer Support Community South Bay.

Please visit our website www.lascandalistas.org to learn more about our group and how you can help us continue to support these amazing philanthropes.

And mark your calendar! We are excited to announce our Spring Fundraising Event will be held Saturday, April 18th, 2026 at one of our favorite venues, the very fun Empty Saddle Club! All the details coming soon!!!!

Happy Holidays Everyone!
#bettertogether #adoptafamily #palosverdespeninsula #southbay #holidaygiving #nonprofitsforchildren
Las Candalistas
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Las Candalistas
Las Candalistas3 weeks ago
We love Community's Child and are grateful for them and all they do!
Las Candalistas
Thank you to Las Candalistas for your continued support. We appreciate you for adopting a family this Christmas. God bless everyone who was a blessing!
131View on Facebook
Las Candalistas
Las Candalistas4 weeks ago
Thank you Cancer Support Community South Bay for all you do! Happy Holidays! ❤️
Las Candalistas
🎁 Moments like this remind us what community is all about.

Thank you, Las Candalistas, for delivering thoughtful holiday gifts to support one of our CSC South Bay families this season.

Your kindness brought so much joy to our office and will mean even more to the family these gifts will support. ✨

We’re so grateful for your generosity.

#HolidayGiving #CommunityKindness #CSCSouthBay #CancerSupportCommunity #CancerSupport #SouthBayCommunity
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Las Candalistas
Las Candalistas2 months ago
What a day Thursday, November 13th was! We were lucky with the weather and blessed to have a sold-out attendance for our Fall Fundraiser, Journey Through the Pages!

It was a fun day of authors, books, shopping, lunch, champagne, and more! All to support South Bay children & the environment.

Thank you to all our wonderful long-time supporters and new faces who attended and contributed. We can’t do what we do without you!

Thank you to the incredible authors who spoke at the event. Your words inspired, your stories connected, and your generosity helped make this event a true success. We’re grateful for your time, passion, and energy you shared with our community.
Julia Bricklin: known for her biographies and historical narratives; Kim Davis: author of the Aromatherapy Apothecary and the award-winning Cupcake Catering cozy mystery series: Nadine Nettmann: certified sommelier and author of the Bootlegger’s Daughter and the Sommelier Mystery Series; , Lara Shea: author of Mom’s Night Out, a self published novel deemed the “best entertainment since the breast pump.” and our moderator Rebecca Forster: a USA Today and Amazon best-selling author of more than 40 thrillers, including the Hermosa Beach based Hostile Witness series, with over 3 million readers worldwide.

Thank you to our amazing Vendors. We’re so grateful for your partnership and commitment to our cause.

We can’t say thank you enough to our dedicated and kind-hearted sponsors and community partners. We are Better Together!

And of course a big thank you to all our volunteer members. Our fundraiser was a success because of your dedication, your energy, and your generous hearts. Every task you took on—big or small—made a difference. We’re grateful for each and every one of you!

If you missed this fabulous event, don’t worry! We have a date for our Spring Fundraiser: Saturday, April 18th. We’re back in the saddle, the Empty Saddle Club that is. Click on the link in our bio to stay tuned.
#southbay #palosverdespeninsula #bettertogether #journeythroughthepages #gratitude #communityimpact #nonprofitsfor children #givingback
Las Candalistas
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105View on Facebook
Las Candalistas
Las Candalistas2 months ago
Thank you thank you thank you to the amazing Rebecca Forster for moderating our Fall Fundraiser, Journey Through the Pages! It was a fabulous day celebrating 4 local authors all to benefit South Bay children and the environment.
Las Candalistas
10View on Facebook
Las Candalistas
Las Candalistas2 months ago
We are so proud of our volunteer members! They are always thinking about the philanthropies Las Candalistas supports and more ways to help them.🥰

One of our members just generously donated 12 sleeping bags, 16 small camp pillows, and 24 bath towels to Toberman Neighborhood Center! These items will help provide warmth and comfort to individuals in need.

We are thankful for our long-time relationship with Toberman Neighborhood Center and are grateful for all they do for our South Bay community.

Please visit our website to learn more about our organization, our philanthropies, and how you can help. www.lascandalistas.org

And also….Save the Date for our Spring Fundraising Event! Saturday, April 18th. We’re back in the saddle…the Empty Saddle Club that is! Stay tuned, details coming soon to our website.
#bettertogether #southbay #palosverdespeninsula #communitysupport #givingback #warmhearts
Las Candalistas
121View on Facebook

Testimonials

{

“Your generosity allows us to provide palliative care and hospice for those who need it, regardless of ability to pay. We are so grateful for your 3 decades of support!”

Matthew Scelza

Executive Director Providence TrinityCare Hospice Foundation
☆☆☆☆☆
{

“We are profoundly grateful for the generous support of Las Candalistas, whose funding has significantly enhanced our community food pantries in the Los Angeles Harbor area. Their commitment to our cause has had a tremendous impact, particularly on the youth and broader community members we serve.”

Boys & Girls Club LA Harbor

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor
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{
“The Wyland Foundation is deeply appreciative of the support Las Candalistas provides. Your work shows how much impact a committed group of people can have in helping others in need. Thanks to you, the Wyland Foundation will be providing much needed mobile education outreach next spring to community centers and underserved schools throughout the south bay about the role we all can play in preserving the health of our coasts and waterways.”

Steve Creech

President Wyland Foundation
☆☆☆☆☆
{
“I am incredible grateful to Las Candalistas for supporting Community’s Child’s Healthy Bags program.  Inflation has hit us really hard.  Work hours have been cut while the cost of food, rent, and transportation has just continued to increase.  The weekly groceries, hygiene products, diapers, school supplies and clothing we receive has helped me and the children so much.  The food we receive is very fresh and nutritious and we all love the cooking and container garden classes; these are such a blessing.  Without the support of the Healthy Bags Program, we would have to choose between eating or paying the rent.  I want to Thank You so much for helping my children to stay healthy and housed.  May God Bless You!”

Recipient of the Healthy Bags Program

Community’s Child
☆☆☆☆☆