About Toberman

The mission of Toberman is to provide individuals, families, and our neighboring communities with educational tools and real life opportunities that empower people to grow toward moral, spiritual, and economic independence.

Toberman Neighborhood Center is a non-profit, multi-purpose neighborhood center that provides various social service programs to low-income individuals and families living in the South Bay, moving them from poverty to self-sufficiency. We have nine core areas of programming with multiple services within each one. For more information about current programs, visit Programs & Services.

Toberman Today

As a neighborhood center, Toberman serves 14,000 inner-city residents each year. We serve the life cycle of a family, from newborns to senior citizens. Through our extensive human service programs, we:

Strengthen lives of youth, families, adults and seniors
Move people beyond poverty
Work toward reclaiming gang members
Develop urban peace and interethnic harmony

People helping people at Toberman.

Poverty Limits Potential

Toberman reaches out to the poorest members of our diverse community. More than 600 very low-income or indigent families live in the San Pedro public housing project and Verdes Del Oriente, a Section 8 subsidized development. Over 400 families receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Every student at one local elementary school qualifies for participation in federal free lunch program. Clients cope with myriad community problems that stem from poverty. Dependence on minimum wage jobs and public assistance and lack of affordable, licensed child care lead to crime and gangs for many.

Poverty limits the potential of individuals.

Toberman Provides Solutions

The extensive network of programs and services available at Toberman help us provide solutions through training and assistance.

A child heading in the right direction.

Toberman and the United Methodist Church

Toberman is the oldest United Methodist mission project in the Western Region of the U.S.. It continues to fulfill the missional priorities of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. While Toberman honors its connection to the Methodist community, no religion is practiced or preached and people of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome.

“I have been a member of the Board of Global Ministries for 13 years and am very familiar with Toberman Neighborhood Center. It is, in my opinion, one of the most worthwhile projects the Ministry can support.” — Bishop Mary Ann Swenson