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Our History
Our History
Five community leaders formed the WCLO in late 1990. The dramatic increase of the Latino population in Watts created a special need that was not adequately addressed by existing public institutions or community organizations. Although Latinos comprised a significant sector of the Watts population, Latino civic engagement was minimal.
Five community leaders formed the WCLO in late 1990. The dramatic increase of the Latino population in Watts created a special need that was not adequately addressed by existing public institutions or community organizations. Although Latinos comprised a significant sector of the Watts population, Latino civic engagement was minimal.
WCLO was formed to fill the great need to create a sustainable voice for Latinos on public policy issues, particularly on the economic development expansion plans of the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). During the fall of 1989, the CRA held public hearings and encountered great opposition from the African American community. While Latinos comprised more than 50% of the population in Watts, only a handful of Latino residents attended these meetings. As a consequence of this absence, the CRA neglected the economic development needs of Latinos.
WCLO was formed to fill the great need to create a sustainable voice for Latinos on public policy issues, particularly on the economic development expansion plans of the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). During the fall of 1989, the CRA held public hearings and encountered great opposition from the African American community. While Latinos comprised more than 50% of the population in Watts, only a handful of Latino residents attended these meetings. As a consequence of this absence, the CRA neglected the economic development needs of Latinos.
The founders of WCLO recognized that this situation resulted from two key factors. First, CRA outreach and public education to the Latino community in Watts were virtually non-existent. Second, and perhaps more importantly, Latinos lacked the organizational infrastructure and the requisite resources to ensure more accountability from public institutions such as the CRA. Hence, WCLO was formed to address these realities.
The founders of WCLO recognized that this situation resulted from two key factors. First, CRA outreach and public education to the Latino community in Watts were virtually non-existent. Second, and perhaps more importantly, Latinos lacked the organizational infrastructure and the requisite resources to ensure more accountability from public institutions such as the CRA. Hence, WCLO was formed to address these realities.
Initially, the WCLO founders met with CRA officials to identify the agency’s lack of responsiveness in serving and working cooperatively to resolve issues with the Latino community in Watts. The founders’ work with the CRA brought the founders together more regularly. Meanwhile, given WCLO’s growing visibility, Latino residents began to ask the group for assistance in dealing with a wider range of community concerns such as public safety, community services, street and alley conditions, and poor street lighting.
Initially, the WCLO founders met with CRA officials to identify the agency’s lack of responsiveness in serving and working cooperatively to resolve issues with the Latino community in Watts. The founders’ work with the CRA brought the founders together more regularly. Meanwhile, given WCLO’s growing visibility, Latino residents began to ask the group for assistance in dealing with a wider range of community concerns such as public safety, community services, street and alley conditions, and poor street lighting.
In recognition of these great community needs and the emergence of leadership willing to advocate on their behalf, in 1990 the San Miguel Catholic Church generously donated space to establish WCLO’s first office. In 1998, WCLO purchased an abandoned liquor store and converted it into its organizational offices and community center. Since then, the organization has forged ahead to become one of the leading community development organizations in Watts.
In recognition of these great community needs and the emergence of leadership willing to advocate on their behalf, in 1990 the San Miguel Catholic Church generously donated space to establish WCLO’s first office. In 1998, WCLO purchased an abandoned liquor store and converted it into its organizational offices and community center. Since then, the organization has forged ahead to become one of the leading community development organizations in Watts.
WCLO collaborates with a wide range of local and national foundations and corporations and has received helpful funding support to support its initiatives. These include: HUD US Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD), City of Los Angeles, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), UnidosUS, the Annenberg Foundation, and the California Community Foundation.
WCLO collaborates with a wide range of local and national foundations and corporations and has received helpful funding support to support its initiatives. These include: HUD US Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD), City of Los Angeles, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), UnidosUS, the Annenberg Foundation, and the California Community Foundation.
During the last 33 years WCLO has served as a resource center for the development and implementation of various initiatives and services programs including parental involvement in school reform, youth and parent leadership development focused on violence prevention, school and community safety, asset building, home ownership education and foreclosure counseling, community beautification, inter-ethnic cultural and social activities and other special projects.
During the last 33 years WCLO has served as a resource center for the development and implementation of various initiatives and services programs including parental involvement in school reform, youth and parent leadership development focused on violence prevention, school and community safety, asset building, home ownership education and foreclosure counseling, community beautification, inter-ethnic cultural and social activities and other special projects.
In 2018, W/CLO played a critical role as a thought partner in the visioning and grant development process that led to the creation of the Watts Rising Collaborative, a 40+ organization, multisectoral sustainable, place-based community development initiative co-led by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles and Mayor Bass’s Office of Economic Opportunity. This process culminated with Watts Rising receiving a $33.25M California Strategic Growth Council Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant to implement 24 climate infrastructure and public health programs. Based upon our track record of advocacy, leadership development and housing access counseling, we were selected to serve as the community-based lead for the TCC Displacement Avoidance Plan and work closely with the Mayor’s Office to deliver essential anti-displacement housing and financial education resources. To date under the TCC grant, we have assisted 400+ individuals with access to rental assistance, eviction and foreclosure prevention, legal representation and financial education services.
In 2018, W/CLO played a critical role as a thought partner in the visioning and grant development process that led to the creation of the Watts Rising Collaborative, a 40+ organization, multisectoral sustainable, place-based community development initiative co-led by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles and Mayor Bass’s Office of Economic Opportunity. This process culminated with Watts Rising receiving a $33.25M California Strategic Growth Council Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant to implement 24 climate infrastructure and public health programs. Based upon our track record of advocacy, leadership development and housing access counseling, we were selected to serve as the community-based lead for the TCC Displacement Avoidance Plan and work closely with the Mayor’s Office to deliver essential anti-displacement housing and financial education resources. To date under the TCC grant, we have assisted 400+ individuals with access to rental assistance, eviction and foreclosure prevention, legal representation and financial education services.
Unfortunately, we cannot overlook the tremendous health, social, economic, impact created by COVID-19 Pandemic from which everybody is trying to recuperate. Despite WCLO’s limited staffing and financial capacity, our agency remained on the forefront of pandemic response as COVID-19 increased the need for services due to mass job loss, increased food insecurity and high rates of COVID-19 transmission and illness. WCLO rose to the challenge and continued to provide rental counseling assistance, while also adding on distribution of COVID-19 resource information, personal protective equipment (PPE) and food. The agency held periodic meal giveaways where residents were able to pick-up hot meals, and also hosted a COVID-19 protocol-mindful version of the annual Navidad en el Barrio (Christmas in the Neighborhood) event. At Navidad en el Barrio, WCLO distributed household resource information and bags of hearty groceries to help Watts residents have a joyful and stomach-full holiday celebration. The event served over 200 households, was supported by the local Watts organization, Watts Life Car Club and included a visit by U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA 43rd District). Navidad en el Barrio has been hosted for 29 years, meeting the basic needs of 60,000 Watts residents by providing two+ weeks of nutritious perishable and non-perishable food to help families enjoy the holidays.
Unfortunately, we cannot overlook the tremendous health, social, economic, impact created by COVID-19 Pandemic from which everybody is trying to recuperate. Despite WCLO’s limited staffing and financial capacity, our agency remained on the forefront of pandemic response as COVID-19 increased the need for services due to mass job loss, increased food insecurity and high rates of COVID-19 transmission and illness. WCLO rose to the challenge and continued to provide rental counseling assistance, while also adding on distribution of COVID-19 resource information, personal protective equipment (PPE) and food. The agency held periodic meal giveaways where residents were able to pick-up hot meals, and also hosted a COVID-19 protocol-mindful version of the annual Navidad en el Barrio (Christmas in the Neighborhood) event. At Navidad en el Barrio, WCLO distributed household resource information and bags of hearty groceries to help Watts residents have a joyful and stomach-full holiday celebration. The event served over 200 households, was supported by the local Watts organization, Watts Life Car Club and included a visit by U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA 43rd District). Navidad en el Barrio has been hosted for 29 years, meeting the basic needs of 60,000 Watts residents by providing two+ weeks of nutritious perishable and non-perishable food to help families enjoy the holidays.
In the midst of helping residents navigate their present vulnerability due to the pandemic, WCLO also played a strategic role in aiding residents with securing their future through a comprehensive Census count and resultant funding and resources. To foster this work, WCLO was selected by the California Community Foundation’s We Count LA program to serve as a Census outreach organization. The agency trained and mobilized a team of 14 outreach workers to effectively count difficult-to-reach populations in Watts which resulted in over 1,000 unique touches. Our contributions and those of other We Count LA partners are summarized in this report.
In the midst of helping residents navigate their present vulnerability due to the pandemic, WCLO also played a strategic role in aiding residents with securing their future through a comprehensive Census count and resultant funding and resources. To foster this work, WCLO was selected by the California Community Foundation’s We Count LA program to serve as a Census outreach organization. The agency trained and mobilized a team of 14 outreach workers to effectively count difficult-to-reach populations in Watts which resulted in over 1,000 unique touches. Our contributions and those of other We Count LA partners are summarized in this report.
In 2023, WCLO expanded its essential family stability and empowerment offerings through a partnership with Haven Neighborhood Services. W/CLO together with Haven served as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Tax Preparation site and hosted two successful events in February 2023. Over 27 Watts residents were able to file their taxes for free including filing taxes from previous years. The events resulted in residents accessing $41,000 in income tax refunds. To support collaborative efforts of other Watts Rising partners, Watts Rising data partner, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science’s Watts Community Studio representatives were also present to help Watts residents complete the Watts Community Assessment and receive $25 gift cards for their participation.
In 2023, WCLO expanded its essential family stability and empowerment offerings through a partnership with Haven Neighborhood Services. W/CLO together with Haven served as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Tax Preparation site and hosted two successful events in February 2023. Over 27 Watts residents were able to file their taxes for free including filing taxes from previous years. The events resulted in residents accessing $41,000 in income tax refunds. To support collaborative efforts of other Watts Rising partners, Watts Rising data partner, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science’s Watts Community Studio representatives were also present to help Watts residents complete the Watts Community Assessment and receive $25 gift cards for their participation.
In 2023, WCLO achieved a noteworthy milestone with the valiant return of its signature 28th Annual Multicultural Cinco de Mayo Celebration after a COVID-19-induced 3-year hiatus. Consistent with our ‘In the Spirit of Multicultural Unity’ ethos and mission, W/CLO has hosted this event to highlight Cinco de Mayo’s multicultural underpinnings and the rich cultures and traditions of Black, Latinx and Asian cultures, while also distributing community resources and food. With Councilman Tim McOsker’s Office as co-host, the event was attended by 400 people, and also featured the launch of the East Side Riders Bicycle Club and L.A. Cleantech Incubator Electric Bike Rental Program. The talent line-up included traditional African dancers, a Korean cultural dance group, and a mariachi band among other performances. There were 10+ resource providers distributing health, wellness, housing and food resources.
In 2023, WCLO achieved a noteworthy milestone with the valiant return of its signature 28th Annual Multicultural Cinco de Mayo Celebration after a COVID-19-induced 3-year hiatus. Consistent with our ‘In the Spirit of Multicultural Unity’ ethos and mission, W/CLO has hosted this event to highlight Cinco de Mayo’s multicultural underpinnings and the rich cultures and traditions of Black, Latinx and Asian cultures, while also distributing community resources and food. With Councilman Tim McOsker’s Office as co-host, the event was attended by 400 people, and also featured the launch of the East Side Riders Bicycle Club and L.A. Cleantech Incubator Electric Bike Rental Program. The talent line-up included traditional African dancers, a Korean cultural dance group, and a mariachi band among other performances. There were 10+ resource providers distributing health, wellness, housing and food resources.
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