Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis was honored with the LAPD Hollenbeck Police Activities League (HPAL) Leadership Award during the 18th Annual HPAL Awards Gala on Thursday evening. The event was held at the Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles.
In her acceptance, Solis spoke about the importance of community partnerships. “I am deeply honored to receive the 2025 LAPD HPAL Leadership Award,” she said. “Throughout my years in public service, I’ve seen firsthand the power of strong partnerships — and HPAL exemplifies the very best of what community and law enforcement can accomplish together. By offering mentorship, opportunity, and hope to our youth, we are investing in a stronger, more resilient Los Angeles for generations to come.”
Commitment to Public Service
Solis was recognized for her decades-long commitment to public service and community empowerment. A lifelong San Gabriel Valley resident, she is the daughter of immigrant parents from Nicaragua and Mexico. After graduating from La Puente High School, she went on to earn degrees from Cal Poly Pomona and the University of Southern California.
Her career began on the Rio Hondo Community College Board of Trustees, followed by service in the California State Assembly, State Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2009, she made history as the first Latina to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet as Secretary of Labor under President Barack Obama. Today, she represents Los Angeles County’s First District, covering communities from East Hollywood to Pomona, including large parts of the San Gabriel Valley.
HPAL’s Role in Community Support
The Hollenbeck Police Activities League was established in 1992 in partnership with the LAPD Hollenbeck Division to address rising juvenile crime. What began as sports programming for at-risk youth has since grown into a nonprofit organization offering leadership development, athletics, mentoring, and restorative justice initiatives. Its goal is to provide safe, structured, and accessible opportunities for young people in the community.
HPAL operates with support from a board of community leaders, law enforcement, and business professionals. Programs are available at no cost to families in its service areas, reflecting the group’s mission to strengthen youth development and reduce crime through positive engagement.
Gala Benefits Youth Programs
The annual gala not only honors leaders such as Solis but also raises critical funds to sustain HPAL’s programs. This year’s proceeds will continue to support educational and athletic opportunities, ensuring young people have access to safe environments and role models.
For more information about the Hollenbeck Police Activities League and its programs, visit HPAL’s official website.
