Reportbacks: Here's what CoCo has been up to recently. If you want to stay in touch, sign up for our email list!

Kinship in Action Celebration and Forum

On Saturday, Jan. 28th, 2012 Community Coalition's Kinship in Action (KIA) celebrated the announcement that the County's Kinship Center will be moving from Culver City to South L.A.

After a year-long campaign of sending letters and asking the County's Department of Children and Family Services to make the Kinship Center more accesible to families (the majority of kinship families live in South L.A. and have limited transportation) the County made the announcement that they will move the center in the community.

At the Jan. 28th celebration and forum, kinship families attended to meet with County officials and discuss further partnerships to make services more accessible to relative caregivers.

For more information about Kinship in Action, please contact Edgar Campos or Melody Darden at (323) 750-9087. 

 

Launch of the People Power Assemblies

On Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, more than 100 South Los Angeles residents participated in the People Power Assembly organized by the Community Coalition.

The energy across the country is ripe for action and South L.A. residents need to be at the forefront of the movement. Community Coalition is putting real human faces to the economic crisis and sharing ways that people can overcome and pull through as a community. Read more.

 

 

2011 Highlights

SCYEA Class of 2011 Graduation

On Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, Community Coalition celebrated the achievements of our latest graduating class of South Central Youth Empowered thru Action (SCYEA) seniors. Click here.

Day of Social Action: Our Community Needs More Freedom Schools

Seventy lucky South LA elementary and middle school children participating in Community Coalition’s first-ever Freedom School summer literacy program met with local officials, including Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy, for a Los Angeles Day of Social Action on
Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Click here.

Community Coalition launches Freedom School in South L.A.

This summer, Community Coalition is sponsoring for the first time ever, a South LA Freedom School - a summer reading enrichment program that teaches elementary and middle school students from South LA a love for reading while improving their reading skills, increasing their knowledge of civil rights history and boosting their self esteem. Click here.

Remembering Mr. Leslie Benson

Community Coalition lost one a leader and dedicated community activist, Mr. Leslie Benson. Read more about this amazing man's life and contributions to South LA. Click here.

A Conversation with City Planning Director Michael LoGrande

Residents from the 39th and Western Ave. community met with the City Planning Director Michael LoGrande on Monday, June 13th, to present a set of demands against the Pine Tree Motel, Dan Mar Motel and the W&W Recycling Center – three nuisances businesses located just a block away from the Martin Luther King Park. Click here.

California Calls

Community Coalition is proud to announce our role as an anchor organization of California Calls: An Alliance to Renew the Dream. Click here.

Toyota "100 Cars for Good" Facebook Contest

On June 1st, CoCo received lots of votes and support from our online supporters in the Toyota "100 Cars for Good" Facebook contest. Even though we started in last place in the morning (the other organizations had a 3-hour head start), we steadily moved up to third place thanks to our great supporters! Click here.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Visit Fremont High School

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan visited Fremont High School on March 22, 2011 to meet with 400 youth, parents, teachers, community members and education officials. The community meeting with Secretary Duncan focused on a variety of education issues, including parent engagement, education reform, English Language Learners, teacher accountability and the reconstitution efforts at Fremont High School. Click here.

The Be The Change: South LA Action Conference

On Saturday, March 19th, 2011, Community Coalition mobilized more than 200 people -- parents, relative caregivers, social service providers, residents, youth and community leaders from South LA -- to the Be the Change: South LA Action Conference. To read more, click here.

Raise Your Voice: Youth Conference

Almost 200 African American and Latino youth from various South L.A. high schools came together for the “Raise Your Voice” youth conference that took place on Friday March 18th at the Expo Center. Read more here.

CoCo Wins $10,000 from Ford!

Last February, Community Coalition was selected as a winner for the Ford Focus Challenge via Facebook! Our Director of Special Media, Joshua Busch, submitted a video highlighting CoCo and thanks to the votes of our fans, CoCo won $10,000 from Ford and Josh won a free trip to Spain. Watch here.

The 20th Anniversary Holiday Dinner Celebrates CoCo Members

Every year, CoCo takes the time to honor and recognize our leaders and members who have helped lead our campaigns forward in South LA. This year, we honored youth, parents, residents, and relative caregivers for their contributions to CoCo and the community. A special Santa Claus gave away wrapped Christmas presents to our South LA children present at the dinner. Read more here.

2010 Highlights

President and CEO Marqueece Harris-Dawson Presented Statewide Honor

Community Coalition President and CEO Marqueece Harris-Dawson was recognized with The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) Sabbatical Program Award in late October 2010 for his dedicated work and leadership to the organization.  His sabbatical period is from Dec. 1, 2010 and he returns March 1, 2011. Read more here.

The 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner

On Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010, CoCo celebrated with over 500 guests at our biggest, annual fundraiser. We raised more than half a million dollars that will go towards the purchase of our building on 81st and Vermont. The event brought together our allies, supporters, friends and our members. Elected officials, like Congresswoman Karen Bass, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, celebrities like actor Danny Glover, poet Mark Gonzalez, and civil rights leaders like Rev. James Lawson and Leonard Jackson, attended the night's event. We honored activist and radio personality Dominique Di Prima and former LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines. Read more here.

First Ever SCYEA Alumni Reunion

More than 75 alumni from Community Coalition's successful youth program South Central Youth Empowered through Action (SCYEA) reconnected and mingled with each other at the first ever official SCYEA Alumni Reunion on August, 7, 2010. Read more here.

SCYEA Graduation 2010

In 2010, we celebrated the graduation of nine seniors all of whom are continuining their education at colleges like Cal State University of Northridge, Cal State University of San Francisco, Franklin and Marshall College, West Los Angeles College, and El Camino College. About 70 friends, family and staff showed up to celebrate their great acheivements! 

Summer Night Lights Opens at King Park

On Thursday, July 15th at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Villaraigosa visited King Park to witness Summer Night Lights in action. SNL was brought to King Park after residents organized to pressure the City to renovate and make changes at this once-notorious park. The event drew hundreds of youth, families and community members. Read more about this great night here.

LAUSD Superintendent Visits CoCo

On June 21, 2010 LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines came to South LA to meet with parents and students who presented three proposals to improve Fremont High School. Cortines delivered a big victory to community by committing to three proposals presented by students and parents: 1. Comprehensive Mental Wellness Programs 2. Health Career Academy and 3. Drop-out Prevention and Intervention Program. Read more about the campaign here.

Relative Caregivers Hold Action at DCFS and DMH

On June 3rd, 2010 100 Relative Caregivers took action to demand adequate mental wellness services for their children.  They marched in front of LA County's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH). Read about the protest here. Read more about the campaign here.

Nine SCYEA youth win COIN Scholarship

Nine youth leaders and activists from Community Coalition's South Central Youth Empowered through Action program were awarded a full college scholarship, funding for summer internships and a full-time salary for two years of service to return to work for Community Coalition upon graduation. Read the full story here.

Relative Caregiver Day - Mother's Day Brunch

On Saturday, May 8, 2010, more than 100 relative caregivers, their families and supporters came to Community Coalition's special Mother's Day brunch for South LA Relative Caregivers. The special brunch celebrated the wonderful relative caregivers who save South LA children from the foster care system. They are unsung heroes in our community who deserve recognition and who are now fighting to win mental wellness resources for the children in their care. Read more about the brunch here.

Community Forum on Fremont

Over 100 students, parents, alumni and teachers attended the forum on April 8, 2010. Fremont High was picked by LAUSD superintendent, Ray Cortines, for reconstruction. Community Coalition is committed to ensuring that the community voice is part of the process in planning the Future of Fremont. Watch this video recapping the forum. Read more about our campaign here.

Eggstravaganza at King Park

Over 400 residents, including children, youth, parents, and community members, turned out on April 3rd, 2010 at the once-dangerous King Park to celebrate a fun-filled Easter celebration. As part of CoCo's current campaign to improve this neighborhood located at 39th and Western, the park has been the target of intensive work by residents and other groups to make it a safe and fun place for the whole family. Check out pictures from the Eggstravaganza here. You can read more about our campaign here.

20th Anniversary Kick-off Celebration

On March 20, 2010 Community Coalition hosted its 20th Anniversary Kick-off Special Membership Celebration! Over 100 long-time and new members showed up to renew their support to the organization! At the kick-off, Community Coalition's new logo was unveiled to long-time members. You can view pictures of the event by clicking here.

2009 Highlights

The 7th Annual Holiday Dinner

Community Coalition ended 2009 with great people, great food, and spirit!

The annual Holiday Dinner took place Friday, Dec. 19 behind the Community Coalition building on 8101 S. Vermont.

Community Coalition members and activists were honored for their dedication, service and commitment to our community. Please click here to view the complete list of all who were recognized. We thank you for your dedication, passion and service to our community.

Community Coalition would also like to thank KABC Channel 7 and the LA Firefighters for their very generous donations of gifts and toys for South LA children. To read more, click here.

 

CoCo Protests Gover-Nator's Devastating Budget Cuts

On Monday, July 20 more than 100 Communtiy Coalition members, youth and allies met in front of the Santa Monica Airport to protest the devastating budget cuts proposed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Read what the LA Sentinel, LA Watts Times, the LA Wave and The Santa Monica Daily Press have written about the rally and the budget cuts.

Visit our Facebook page to view the photo album of Monday’s rally.

The Second Annual CoCo Idol, July 24, 2009

The Coalition would like to thank all the guests, performers, staff and of course, its members in making the Second Annual CoCo Idol a success!

Community Coalition started humming with activity early Friday afternoon as members started getting ready for the big night. Coalition members Bettye Draughan and Franklin Tilly manned the front desks welcoming performers and guests while Sylvia Davis subscribed new members to the Coalition. Mary Carraway, Wanda Enix, Ruth Miller, Mary Figgers, Walter Smith, Carolyn Christian and Joy Miller took care of food. Jeannette Ali and Lechelle Williams did the raffle and Cheyryl Young organized the night’s performers. To read more, click here.

Coco's Civic Leadership School is Now in Session, February 4, 2009

Fifteen students--adults and youth alike--met to begin their training in the Civic Leadership School. This 8-week course will cover Community Coalition history and analysis, issues of race and racism, perspectives on Black and Brown unity and methods, practices and strategies of community organizing.

To find out more, contact Kokayi at 323-750-9087 ext. 253 or kokayi@cocosouthla.org

2009 Budget Summit, January 31, 2009

Community Coalition members joined hundreds of other Los Angeles residents to hear from County Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas, State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and others to learn how State budget cuts would affect residents.

Through an interactive game, however, residents learned the budget problems are deeper than deciding where to put limited financial resources. Because of legislation like Prop 13 (which allows a large number of property holders to avoid paying current property tax rates), a lack of taxes on certain business done in California (like drilling for oil) and the 2/3 majority required to pass a budget (only 3 states have this requirement), California simply does not have the revenue stream to serve all of its residents.

With this perspective, residents left the summit ready to look for solutions that would address the root problems of the State's budget shortfall.

Inauguration Watch Event, January 20, 2009

As Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, more than 500 students and community members gathered to watch it happen.

Check out photos and videos of the event.

Dispatches From DC, January 20, 2009

Some of our organizers had the chance to go to DC to see the historic Inauguration in person. Click here to see their photos, videos and blogs.

Click here for 2008 Highlights