This spring, when Angelica Crawford, M.A. ’25, Ed.S. ’26, was working her required practicum hours at Equitas Academy Charter Schools, she noticed that attendance had begun to drop toward the end of the school year. She and school staff soon learned that parents and caregivers were reluctant to send students to school due to their immigration status.
Crawford, who is studying to be a school psychologist, knew these families were likely avoiding other public spaces as well. “I felt compelled to find a way to support them during the challenges they’re navigating right now,” she said. She thought that grocery shopping on their behalf would make a difference, and what began as a solo initiative has swelled to a shared volunteer effort between Equitas Academy and LMU School of Education. Since mid-June, her grocery drive has supported nearly 120 families in central Los Angeles—more than double her original goal.
Crawford worked closely with Equitas Academy’s leadership leadership to organize the effort. She created online sign-up forms for families and bought groceries herself; her parents helped her shop and pack deliveries. With guidance from her school psychology professor Emily Fisher, Crawford also reached out to members of the LMU community, including fellow students in the school psychology program; faculty and staff at SOE; and LMU’s Black Graduate Student Association, of which she’s currently president.
Volunteers signed on quickly. The president of LMU’s Graduate Association of School Psychology (GASP), Rayna Gardner, M.A. ’25, Ed.S. ’26, designed a flyer announcing the program; Asalia Arauz, M.A. ’25, Ed.S. ’26, translated the flyer, sign-up forms, and emails to families into Spanish. A group of school psychology and counseling students and one of SOE’s student advisors made deliveries. In the end, Crawford managed a team of nearly 10 people who spent part of their weekends this summer making sure every family who signed up for assistance gets the groceries they asked for. Equitas Academy added about a third of the budget for the project, with Crawford and her parents funding the rest.
“We are committed to standing with our families—especially during moments of fear and uncertainty,” said Dr. Sofia Roditti, chief executive officer of Equitas Academy. “This effort not only addressed a basic need, it sent a powerful message of solidarity and dignity. We’re deeply grateful to Angelica Crawford and the LMU community for showing up with compassion and action when it mattered most.”
“Angie embodies the school psychology program’s commitment to social justice,” added Fisher, Crawford’s professor. “She responded to an urgent need in the community, developed a plan, and brought others together to help. Beyond supporting families with their basic food needs, these families feel seen and valued through her efforts. This is critically important during this unprecedented time in our community.”
Crawford valued the support and connections she got from Fisher, whom she calls “her mentor,” and credits the “amazing group of volunteers” for making the grocery drive so successful. “I’m incredibly thankful for everyone who got invovled, and I hope what we’ve done inspires other fundraising or volunteer efforts at LMU and beyond for families in need.”
