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Civic engagement is a major cornerstone to strengthening communities in Los Angeles County.
Realizing that grant dollars are not enough to address complex regional challenges, the community foundation actively seeks out partnerships that enable Angelenos to not only discuss the issues that are important to them, but to also find innovative, workable solutions. The foundation has taken on this civic engagement role in a variety of settings.
Community Building Initiative
The California Community Foundation announces the El Monte Community Building Initiative (CBI), a 10-year effort to revitalize the community by engaging residents and developing their leadership, and improving their physical environment and social services. This multi-million dollar investment will be in the form of grants and loans
directed through partnerships with nonprofit groups, private partners and the local government in the City
of El Monte.
Learn more about the CBI.
Community Experience Partnership
The Community Experience Partnership (CEP) is an initiative designed to mobilize the experience, talents and skills of “baby boomer” adults (born between 1946-1964) to benefit the communities where they live and work. The foundation is one of 30 community foundations across the U.S. initially selected by The Atlantic Philanthropies to participate in this innovative effort.
The goals of the partnership are to:
- Change public perceptions of older adults by recognizing the value their experience and perspectives can bring to community problem solving
- Identify and expand model programs for civic engagement of older adults
- Identify the barriers to increased civic engagement and the policy changes needed to overcome these barriers
- Develop more leaders in the field
In 2007, CCF completed an assessment of civic engagement opportunities and barriers for older adults. It focused on immigrant boomers because of their significant numbers in the general population. CCF produced a report on the findings, along with a countywide inventory of civic engagement resources, both of which are found below.
Request for Information
CCF is embarking on a planning process to launch pilot projects that engage older adults for civic good in L.A. County. Nonprofits are invited to respond to a Request for Information (RFI), which is due by 5:00 p.m. on June 6, 2008.
A workshop on how to respond to the RFI will be held at CCF on May 15, 2008 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are required. Reserve your seat online by May 12th. For questions and additional information, contact Civic Engagement and Communications Assistant Rachael Sonntag-Bloom at (213) 413-4130, ext. 271.
Resources
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Los Angeles Preschool Advocacy Initiative
The Los Angeles Preschool Advocacy Initiative (LAPAI) is a multi-year effort to increase access to high quality preschool education for underserved communities. The California Community Foundation (CCF), in partnership with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, is leading a countywide grassroots campaign to build support for quality preschool through stakeholder engagement, community organizing and public policy reform.
Learn more about the LAPAI.
President Antonia
Hernández Offers Solutions to L.A.'s Housing Crisis in
UCLA Anderson Forecast
 Read about the pioneering work the Community Foundation Land Trust is doing to address the housing crisis in Los Angeles in the UCLA Anderson Forecast released in March 2007.
The report features solutions to other challenges the city faces, including education, health care and community engagement.
The California Community Foundation continues its efforts to support affordable housing by endorsing two housing bond measures that appeared on the November 7, 2006 ballot.
Learn more about the housing bonds and CCF's endorsement.
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The California Community Foundation published an ad in the Los Angeles Times to focus public attention on the educational priorities that a new superintendent should address for students in the Los Angeles school district.
Read the LAUSD ad that appeared in The Los Angeles Times.
The community foundation is involved in the Grand Avenue Project to transform the civic and cultural districts of downtown Los Angeles into a vibrant residential, retail and entertainment center.
Learn more about the Grand Avenue Project.
We are working with area universities, nonprofit groups and others to improve the region’s civic health by linking community stakeholders with potential partners to strengthen their effectiveness at the local level.
To learn more about the community foundation’s civic engagement activities, contact Vice President of Civic Engagement, Communications and Administration Linda Wong at
(213) 413-4130.
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