Los Angeles Urban League to survey South LA residents
March 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment
In anticipation of the May 2013 city elections, the Los Angeles Urban League plans to send out volunteers across South Los Angeles on Saturday, March 23 to identify priorities in the community. The LAUL hopes to deploy 100 volunteers to survey 2,500 residents about what matters to them and present the results to elected officials.
Only two out of every ten eligible Los Angeles voters participated in the recent mayoral election, and less than 10% were African American or Latino. The Los Angeles Urban League says it hopes that by “igniting a movement that calls for greater civic engagement, the community can ensure that there is equity in education, economic development, public safety, and public health and housing opportunities for all residents of Los Angeles.”
Some of the survey locations will be:
o Baldwin Hill Crenshaw Plaza, 3650 MLK Blvd., 90008
o Ralph’s Supermarket, 3670 Crenshaw Blvd., 90008
o Starbucks, 3722 Crenshaw Blvd., 90016
The effort will kick off at 8 am March 23 at the LAUL’s headquarters, 3450 Mount Vernon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90008.
New community garden rededicated in light of tragedy
March 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Last April, two Chinese students attending USC were fatally shot as they sat in their car early in the morning. Community members, who live just steps away from the tragic site, invite other locals to celebrate a new milestone on Saturday, March 16 with the opening of a new garden.
The garden, located at 2632 Raymond Ave., will be rededicated as the Erica J. Glazer Community Garden in honor of a generous donor who worked to secure the property, once it came up for public auction. The rededication will include a street fair with food, craft activities, face painting, and information booths about local health and gardening resources from 11am to 2pm.
The garden will serve as a peaceful oasis for community members, who hope Chinese students will grow their own flowers in the garden as a way of developing a relationship with local residents.
Free Fair Housing Certification Management Training
February 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Free Fair Housing Certification Management Training Offered on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
The Fair Housing Foundation will be holding a Fair Housing Certification Management Training at the Florence/Firestone Service Center at 7807 S. Compton Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90001 from 1-5pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013. This course is free and open to the public. This training is targeted towards property management professionals. Fair Housing Foundation will explain state and federal fair housing laws, discusses state and federally protected classes, advertising guidelines, and how to prevent allegations. Participants receive Fair Housing Certificate upon successfully passing course exam.
The Fair Housing Foundation is contracted to provide fair housing services to the residents of the city of Los Angeles. We educate the public about Fair Housing rights and responsibilities through workshops, trainings, and community events. FHF provides mediation and counseling services through our housing assistance hotline 1-800-446-FAIR and walk-in clinics. We also investigate issues of discrimination related to housing.
For more information or to RSVP for the Fair Housing Certification Management Training, call 1-800-446-FAIR
About the Fair Housing Foundation:
Founded in 1964, the Fair Housing Foundation (FHF) is a private, non-profit, non-partisan educational agency dedicated to promoting the enforcement of fair housing laws and encouraging an atmosphere of open housing through education, enforcement activities, counseling services, and outreach programs. We are contracted with cities throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties to provide Fair Housing services. Fair Housing Foundation serves over 10,000 clients annually through our programs.
Our Mission
Dedicated to eliminating discrimination in housing and promoting access to housing choices for everyone.
OPINION: A high school student’s observation of the mayoral forum
January 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
By Jesus Vargas
On Saturday, January 19, 2013, the USC Bovard Auditorium hosted the 21st Annual Empowerment Congress Summit. This annual event brought together the five candidates in the Los Angeles mayoral election. Eric Garcetti, Wendy Greuel, Kevin James, Jan Perry, and Emanuel Pleitez all took part of a community oriented forum that gave insight into their potential decisions as mayor of Los Angeles. [Read more…]
Reward announced for information on brutal attack on 14-year-old girl in South LA
December 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
News Release from the Office of Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry
Police Seek Public’s Help in Finding the Person(s) Responsible for Senseless Shooting of Jessica Garcia
LOS ANGELES, CA – Councilwoman Jan Perry introduced and received unanimous support for a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification and apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the brutal, senseless shooting of 14 year-old Jessica Garcia on December 9.
“This is a devastating and senseless crime. I am confident that with the publics’ help we can find and prosecute the person responsible for attacking this young girl in our community. I urge anyone with information, to please come forward so that we can find some measure of justice for Jessica, her family, her friends, and our community,” said Councilwoman Perry.”
On Sunday, December 9 at 1:20 a.m., Garcia was attacked and shot as she walked on Vernon Avenue near Hooper Avenue with a group of friends. Garcia remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
The 18- to 25-year-old suspect is described as a Hispanic male with black or dark-brown hair. He stands 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs about 120 pounds. At the time of the shooting, he was wearing a dark, hooded sweatshirt with dark pants.
Witnesses or anyone with information regarding this incident are urged to contact Newton Division Homicide Detective Richard Arciniega at (323) 846-6556 or Detective Eric Spear at (323) 846-6579. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to http://www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.”
South LA landmark YMCA opens as 28th Street Apartments
December 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
News Release from the office of 9th District Councilwoman Jan Perry
Monday, December 3, 2012
Los Angeles, December 3, 2012—A distinguished landmark in South Los Angeles—the 28th Street YMCA designed by African-American architect Paul Williams—has been restored to serve low-income adults and youth transitioning from homelessness to independent living. Co- developed by Clifford Beers Housing (CBH) and Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), the $21 million, 49-unit community also will serve homeless and low- income individuals, including those living with mental illness, CBH executive director Jim Bonar told an audience of dignitaries at the opening of the 28th Street Apartments today.
“With this milestone, we are witnessing the culmination of our shared dream to celebrate our rich history, develop quality housing for our young people and create a space in which they can grow and thrive, said Councilwoman Jan Perry (9th District) who worked closely with the developers to ensure this historic landmark was brought back to life and would continue to serve the community. “By reinventing this iconic Paul Williams building in the Vernon-Central community, we are moving our community forward, and I thank both CRCD and Clifford Beers Housing for investing in our youth and their future.”
Referring to the project, CBH’s Bonar said, “This building is far more than just an early design by the legendary Paul Williams. It was an integral part of life in the robust African American community which dominated Central Avenue from the 1920s to 1960s. Our plans for the renovation of the existing building and the new wing were guided by two imperatives: to honor the history of the building and revive its service to the community in the 21st century. “
In its new incarnation, the original YMCA accommodations have been transformed into 24 units including kitchenettes and private bathrooms—a far cry from its former configuration with 50 rooms, shared bathrooms and a common cafeteria. The new wing, comprised of 25 studio apartments, will accommodate low-income and formerly homeless individuals. Eight units are set-aside for 18-24 year-olds. Recreation amenities include a restored gym and a rooftop garden.
On the ground floor of the historic building CRCD will operate the new VCN City of Los Angeles YouthSource (no space) Center, which will provide educational and job training opportunities for young adults.
“The project and partnership with Clifford Beers Housing demonstrates our commitment to affordable housing and supportive services for our city’s most vulnerable populations and further affirms the mission and vision of CRCD and its work in this neighborhood,” said Mark Wilson, CRCD Executive Director.
Also playing a major role will be Kedren Community Health Center, a provider of mental health services. “We can’t over-emphasize the importance and need for affordable supportive housing for the community, noted Dr. John Griffith, President and CEO. “ Kedren is excited to partner in this endeavor. The services provided to the residents will make the important difference in helping to transform lives of the persons in recovery.”
Designed by Koning Eizenberg, the project was built to LEED Gold criteria.
“The design goal was to clarify the original 1926 work by Williams while also defining a complimentary addition that strengthened the overall development,” said architect Brian Lane.
New units are housed in a separate five-story wing behind the original building. The south facade is shaded by vertical photovoltaic panels and wrapped to the north with a perforated metal screen that reveals a pattern abstracted from the building’s historic ornament. An elevated roof garden provides outdoor social space that links old and new.
Funding sources for the project came from the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles; Corporation of Supportive Housing; Wells Fargo Bank; Los Angeles County Community Development Commission; Mental Health Services Act/Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health; California Housing Finance Agency; Los Angeles Housing Department; Community Development Block Grant (through the City of Los Angeles Community Development Department); California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.

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