In 1987, physicians at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center delivered 1,200 infants exposed prenatally to drugs—an all-time annual high in Los Angeles and in our nation’s history. At the time, few had hope for these children. Even fewer had hope for their parents and families. There were no programs designed to serve the special needs of this population, and the future looked bleak. 

Full of hope, three women banded together to put an end to this epidemic and founded SHIELDS for Families, Inc. in 1991. Although Kathryn Icenhower, Xylina Bean and Norma Mtume came from different backgrounds, they shared the belief that they could help shape the future. And they have. 

Today, SHIELDS is a nationally and internationally recognized organization that offers award-winning programs in Los Angeles’ most challenged communities. The organization has grown to serve more than 5,000 families each year, employing more than 320 full-time staff, with an annual budget of more than $21 million. SHIELDS operates 30 programs, including four collaborative networks in which SHIELDS serves as the lead agency. 

FACTS

• In 1989 more than 1,250 babies were born prenatally exposed to drugs at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center; SHIELDS was founded in 1991 in response to this epidemic.
• In South Los Angeles today, fewer than 250 babies are born each year prenatally exposed to drugs.
• SHIELDS serves more than 5,000 families and their children each year.
• SHIELDS is recognized nationally and internationally for groundbreaking work with children and families.

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