By Wyatt Miller
Mary Agnes Erlandson community engagement journey began 45 years ago at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
45 years ago, she worked at LAX as a college student. As Erlandson got to know her coworkers who lived in the area, she became "aware of the struggles of the economically disadvantaged in the LAX communities." One of them in particular was having a lot of trouble, so she gathered all her other co-workers to help.
"That experience made me want to help others as my life's work," Erlandson said.
Now, she's the director of St. Margaret's Center, a community organization that helps underprivileged people in the Los Angeles community. They've been serving the area for around 40 years – Erlandson has been there through it all, but is retiring on Sept. 30 after four decades of service. She was recently named the Rams' seventh "pLAymaker" of 2025 and surprised with a $5,000 check made out to the organization due to her work with the people of L.A.
"I'm incredibly humbled and honored by this distinction as it highlights the work St. Margaret's team – staff & volunteers – has been doing in the Inglewood area for nearly 40 years!" Erlandson said. "The Rams organization has been a long-time partner in our efforts, and is an awesome neighbor and collaborator in supporting our local communities."
Their services include food programs, a drop-in center, housing navigation for the unhoused, adult education and tutoring for youth, immigration processing, benefits enrollment, counseling, health screenings, rent and utility assistance. They also provide basic supplies such as diapers and hygiene, along with a Christmas program.
The Center serves around 10,000 unduplicated individuals annually in the Los Angeles "LAX" area, as well as parts of the South Bay and South Los Angeles, according to their website.
Their goal is to be "a one-stop center for low-income residents in our community," Erlandson said. It's always especially rewarding when children of families they'd helped come back to volunteer later in life because of the difference St. Margaret's Center had made for them.
"I guess in a micro sense, I think of (inspiring change) as helping people who are struggling with all of the challenges that life can throw at you, showing compassion and solidarity, and inspiring hope that the future can be brighter for them," Erlandson said. "In a macro sense, advocating for equity and justice and an abiding concern for the 'least among us.'"
Sometimes, it doesn't take much to inspire change, and it can start with something as simple as getting to know neighbors or coworkers.
"Being present to those around us who struggle in our expensive city, and helping them where we can," Erlandson said. "Volunteering or donating if we're able to. And advocating for the inclusion of all, especially the economically disadvantaged, as we move our communities forward."
