Our Story

Trauma Informed Los Angeles (TILA) was founded in November 2014, when a group of 10 individuals representing various communities within Los Angeles and various fields within social services came together on a rainy day to share their concerns about the re-traumatization that individuals, youth, families, and communities often experience within services and systems, and to share ideas about how to mitigate that trauma.

Having expanded our reach nationally and globally, we rebranded from Trauma Informed Los Angeles to Trauma Informed Learning Alliance in 2025. This change reflects our growing commitment to collaborations through education, training, and technical assistance in developing trauma-informed spaces that foster resilience and healing in globally diverse communities.

TILA History

2025: Trauma Informed Learning Alliance!
2025: Trauma Informed Learning Alliance!

Having expanded our reach nationally and globally, we rebranded from Trauma Informed Los Angeles to Trauma Informed Learning Alliance in 2025. This change reflects our growing commitment to collaborations through education, training, and technical assistance in developing trauma-informed spaces that foster resilience and healing in globally diverse communities.

2020: Our Stories Matter Podcast Launches!
2020: Our Stories Matter Podcast Launches!

Brought to you by TILA, in partnership with Lokels Only, Our Stories Matter is a podcast celebrating the complex lived experiences of activists and healers by sharing their inspiring stories. Our Stories Matter centers on healing through activism, art, poetry, film, music, breath, movement, and more. Each guest brings a…Read More

2019: Trauma Informed Infrastructure
2019: Trauma Informed Infrastructure

Focus on developing a structure for the Steering Committee that is culturally trauma-informed from the inside and out, including a shared leadership model and trauma-informed meeting facilitation. Initiated development of “Our Stories Matter” podcast.

2018: TILA
2018: TILA

With an updated mission, vision, and values, the Trauma Informed Task Force of Los Angeles became Trauma Informed LA (TILA), ready to begin the journey of creating a more trauma-informed LA!

Pipeline of Participation
Pipeline of Participation

March – June 2017: Focused on creating an inclusive and collaborative pipeline of participation for TILA Task Force members to meaningfully participate in leadership opportunities, beginning with two Leadership & Engagement Opportunities meetings held in different parts of Los Angeles and recruiting new members to the Steering Committee.

Strategic Planning Retreats
Strategic Planning Retreats

October 2016 – November 2017: The Steering Committee held three retreats to begin to develop a strategic plan and determine three key priorities for TILA: Education, Advocacy, Resources: Providing education, training, and technical assistance to practically implement trauma informed approaches. Collaborations and Partnerships: Actively engaging in initiatives that support regions,…Read More

Development of the Speakers Bureau
Development of the Speakers Bureau

March – November 2016: Beginning with a panel discussion following a screening of the film Paper Tigers, and through other collaborative events and conferences, the Speakers Bureau was developed to provide education, presentations, training, consultation pertaining to various aspects of trauma informed practices.

Second Community Roundtable
Second Community Roundtable

Held at Hillsides in Pasadena to invite community members and service providers to learn about TILA, share their thoughts on community trauma and community healing, and take action by getting involved.

Hillsides Retreat
Hillsides Retreat

Held a second retreat, one year later, to develop short-term and long-term goals and begin the process of creating a strategic plan. The Steering Committee was developed out of this retreat.

First Community Roundtable
First Community Roundtable

Held at Council Member Bonin’s office and featured speaker Norma Cumpian, a life coach at the Anti-Recidivism Coalition who spoke about traumatized systems and what can be done for individuals, families and communities to heal.

Check out this short video that outlines our history and evolution: