Communities Rising
This is part of a series that details Community Coalition's major highlights of 2009.
Click here to read about Healthy Minds, Healthy Futures!
Change is afoot in the neighborhood of 39th and Western. After decades of living with crime, violence, drugs, and neglect from city officials, residents are finally starting to feel safer in a neighborhood reputed to be one of South LA’s most notorious.
In January 2009, Community Coalition spearheaded a new effort called "Communities Rising" aimed at improving neighborhoods one at a time. Through concentrated organizing, resources and activism in one neighborhood, Community Coalition and neigbhors are creating real, tangible change in the 39th and Western community by surveying residents, infusing pride and city resources, organizing beautification projects and reducing nuisance businesses.
In August, Community Coalition surveyed residents who said they felt safer in the last year than they ever have in the past decade. That’s because Community Coalition and residents have taken direct action to improve the quality of life in the 39th and Western area—action that has made city officials, like Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa take notice.
What Change Looks Like
The Work is Just Beginning
Community Coalition is already working on the next steps to continue the momentum gained in the 39th and Western community. Community Coalition is working to reduce and eliminate nuisance businesses, train new generations of community and civic leaders, and continue efforts to beautify the neighborhood and make it a better place to live.
You Have The Power of Change
Join Community Coalition and community members at City Hall for a hearing on Century Liquor. In 2009, residents fought to introduce changes to Century Liquor, a notorious liquor store on the corner of 39th and Western, that contributed to nuisance issues in the community. Your presence is crucial to show the City that South LA holds nuisance businesses accountable.
WHAT: Century Liquor Hearing
WWHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 at 10am
WHERE: L.A. City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Room 1020
For more information, please contact Karume James at 323. 750.9087 ext. 244 or by email at karume(at)cocosouthla(dot)org.
