Who We Are

Together for a Better Tomorrow

What is Children of One Planet?

Founded in 2000 by Azita Milanian, Children of One Planet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to inspire compassionate care in communities and uplift children through programs in music, dance, and nutrition.

As we rebuild from the Los Angeles fires, we continue to be focused on our core competencies in our programming in local communities across the Los Angeles area, with the goal of building our brand to help children across the world.

What has "Children of One Planet" done for the Past 25 Years?

Since 2000, Children of One Planet has helped children and teens in a variety of ways.

At the start of 2025, the Eaton Fire destroyed our Altadena-based office - including all of our computers, administrative tools, and class equipment. We also lost critical outreach, fundraising, and intellectual materials, including tents, banners, and toys for children. Despite these losses, Children of One Planet has continued to provide programs for youth and families, demonstrating resilience and commitment to the community. Two weeks after the Eaton Fire hit Altadena, we were teaching guitar lessons at Crescenta Valley Park's temporary camp for children who lost their schools. Since then we have continued to expand our programs to more parks, libraries, and other local institutions, determined to bring hope and serve the countless children displaced by the LA wildfires.

In 2024, we became a Core Partner with Los Angeles Parks and Recreation and expanded our dance and music programs, led by professional dance and music instructors, to additional locations. We also launched our Live Healthy Live Happy Campaign, our monthly educational program to bring children and families in the local community together to develop healthy eating habits through classes on nutrition, vegetarian cooking, and how to shop for and grow healthy food.

Our annual fundraising event "Dance for Hope America" has been a successful, annual dance show featuring professional ballroom dancers, both young and old, showcasing their dance talents to raise money for our nonprofit mission. It is incredibly inspiring to have received so much support over the years from so many talented dancers.

During COVID, we made masks for orphanages, hospitals and foster homes, Shrines Medical Center for Children, Ronald McDonald House, Sycamores: A Better Life, and more. We fed 150 families and donated masks to orphanages in Costa Rica and Mexico.

In 2019, we donated brand new mattresses to children with no beds at the Dream Center in Los Angeles, which provides food, clothing, and shelter for underprivileged families.

Children of One Planet has printed many educational postcards meant to prevent child trafficking and how children, teens, and families can look for ways to protect themselves. The educational information includes support for mental and physical health and wellness for victims and families of child trafficking.

"Children of One Planet" has helped many orphanages and underserved children around the world since its founding in 2000, donating food, clothing, toys, and money in previous years. These donations served as an immediate crisis aid and while we are now focusing our efforts on serving local fire-affected communities, we hope to continue providing international aid in the coming years.

Azita Milanian

Azita graduated from the University of Florida's College of Engineering. After 12 years working for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory she decided to pursue her passion to help children in need.

In 1996 she started by helping the Save the Children Foundation, USA with fundraising dance show events.

In 2000 Azita founded Children of One Planet to help children more directly. Her vision is to bring after school programs in the USA applying performing arts and life education to improve mental and physical wellness in our children and youth.

"My only dream is to see children free of hunger, violence and live happily one day."

Board Members

A dedicated team of professionals committed to guiding the organization's mission and ensuring its strategic growth.

Katarzyna Kozak

Dance Director

Katarzyna Kozak, widely recognized as Kasia, is a powerhouse in the world of dance, holding the esteemed title of World Ballroom Champion and boasting a string of victories in nearly every national competition across the USA. A versatile professional, she has seamlessly transitioned into roles as a national coach, adjudicator, and choreographer, co-creating a groundbreaking dance syllabus for the Dvida Organization. With degrees in Psychology and Business from Loyola Marymount University and an ordination as a minister, Kasia is a devoted board member of the Children of One Planet organisation for over 20 years.

Susan Clancy

Susan Clancy is a retired software engineer and long-time supporter of the Children of One Planet Organization. Her interest and awareness of the need for improving the lives of children through good nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices aligns with the goals of the Organization. Although she now lives in South Carolina, she continues to advocate for fulfilling our mission.

Omar Bolden

Chief Compliance Officer

Omar has served as Children of One Planet’s Chief Compliance Officer since 2020 who brings wide-ranging expertise to the organisation. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Omar earned his B.A. in Sociology from California State University, Northridge and is a Vice President that heads the claims and risk management department at a national insurance and financial brokerage.

Mary N Clancy

I am a retired University of California Clinical Laboratory Scientist. As a child and teenager, I took modern dance and ballet lessons, as well as guitar lessons. My dance and music experience built confidence, discipline and accomplishment as well as being enjoyable. I appreciate and support Children of One Planet to advocate and educate for children’s safety and give them an opportunity to channel their energy into dance and music.

Sha Feng

Sha Feng, a Geophysics Ph.D. and project manager managing projects totaling over $1 million, joined Children of One Planet (CoOP) as a board member in 2023. Her involvement started in 2016 through volunteer work for CoOP’s annual Dance for Hope America Event. With a wealth of experience in grant applications and management, Sha is dedicated to enhancing CoOP’s programs and expanding its global reach.

Ann Marie Ahern

Ann Marie joined Children of One Planet as a board member in 2020. She is a small business owner who owns a real estate team in the Los Angeles area. Ann Marie graduated with a BA in Marketing and her career has developed her into an effective leader and mentor.

Core Values Driving Positive Change

We are guided by the principles of integrity, compassion, collaboration, and inclusivity to create meaningful and lasting change in the lives of children.