Several hundred children and their mothers cheered as LAPD officers escorted Santa Claus to the annual Christmas party sponsored by the South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project (LAMP) in South Los Angeles Dec. 17. Officers also brought along a friendly dog children could pet and brightly wrapped gifts for the youngsters. Students from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower also arrived with gifts distributed by Claus and Mrs. Claus.

"I'm really proud so many community members got involved," said Mary Henriques, LAMP executive director.

Staff said they had much to celebrate this Christmas in addition to the community's generosity. Along with a full schedule of parenting, ESL and art classes, family advocacy, educational programs for youth and childcare, the center had implemented a Family Book Club popular with the young people.

Children were challenged to read ten books each, a goal many had surpassed.

"Students are extremely committed to giving back as much as they receive," said Henriques. She said elementary school students up to age 12 were eagerly reading to babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. "The impact in the homes is that it gets younger ones interested in reading," she said.

Jose Villalobos said he read his 10 books in one week, while his younger sister Domenica Alvarez read hers in two weeks, with "Cinderella" as her favorite. Their mother Maria Villalobos said she was pleased with her children's motivation to read. "They understand more and are learning more English," said Villalobos, adding she too had benefited from ESL and parenting classes.

LAMP, whose mission is to empower Latina women and their children, serves some 130 families, including 300 young people. The community-based non-profit organization was founded by eight religious orders in 1993. For more information, see www.southcentrallamp.org.