First, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to every one of you. To all the parents, students, and community members who have called and written to Council District 3, and contacted the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) to voice your support for our art center, our programs, and our instructors—thank you. Your voices are being heard!

Because of your advocacy, we have important news to share: Council member Bob Blumenfield's office has committed funds to help keep the Canoga Park Youth Arts Center afloat for the rest of the fiscal year. This critical support allows us to have a Spring Session, and we are so grateful for their commitment.

However, while this is a vital step forward, the fight isn't over. This new funding isn't quite enough to help maintain the center and staff operations as we have been. This money allows us to operate, but still at reduced hours and with limited class availability. This means that some classes we've offered in the past, and some of our planned future offerings, will unfortunately have to be cut.

This also means that our dedicated staff will be working reduced hours. This is an especially difficult situation at this time of the year, right before the holidays. Many of our staff members already hold two or three jobs to make ends meet, and this reduction in hours is going to bear a great burden on them and their families' livelihoods.

We are incredibly grateful for Bob Blumenfield's generous contribution. Now, we must turn our focus to the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA).

Please continue to let the DCA know that you want them to find more funding for the Canoga Park Youth Arts Center. Our goal is to be fully funded so we can continue to support our community with the amazing, affordable art and music classes taught by industry professionals that you know and love.

Thank you for standing with us!