Embedded Files
Culturally-Relevant Community Engagement and Service Provision for Difficult-to-Reach Populations
Since its founding, WCLO has developed and demonstrated specialized expertise in engaging difficult-to-reach, vulnerable individuals such as low-income and undocumented residents in Watts. Too often, these communities are underserved due to a lack of culturally- and linguistically competent, harm reduction-oriented, and trauma-informed approaches to outreach and service delivery. WCLO has developed specific expertise in outreach, engagement, and facilitation approaches that have made the organization garner trust and respect from individuals in these communities.
In 2019, urban planning firm Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) was contracted by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) to facilitate the “Changing Lanes: A Gender-Equity Transportation Study” to understand transportation issues for women in Sun Valley, Watts, and Sawtelle. When seeking a community-based organization with vast expertise to engage invisibilized populations, KDI turned to trusted leader, Watts Century Latino Organization (WCLO) to play a key role in strategy, outreach, engagement workshops, and focus group facilitation. WCLO’s contribution ensured that Watts residents, particularly women who provide the lion’s share of childrearing and household management responsibilities that make accessible transit essential, were well-represented in the study to be best served by the recommendations and ultimate solutions. Click here to view the study on our Impact page.
In 2019, urban planning firm Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) was contracted by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) to facilitate the “Changing Lanes: A Gender-Equity Transportation Study” to understand transportation issues for women in Sun Valley, Watts, and Sawtelle. When seeking a community-based organization with vast expertise to engage invisibilized populations, KDI turned to trusted leader, Watts Century Latino Organization (WCLO) to play a key role in strategy, outreach, engagement workshops, and focus group facilitation. WCLO’s contribution ensured that Watts residents, particularly women who provide the lion’s share of childrearing and household management responsibilities that make accessible transit essential, were well-represented in the study to be best served by the recommendations and ultimate solutions. Click here to view the study on our Impact page.
Additionally, in 2020 at the height of the pandemic and the Trump Administration’s refusal to extend the Census count despite the global health crisis, WCLO was selected by the California Community Foundation’s We Count LA program to lead engagement efforts to ensure a thorough count, particularly of difficult-to-reach populations. WCLO trained 14 outreach workers to connect with over 1,000 residents, planned and hosted workshops to explain the Census, and used surveys to understand community concerns. WCLO staff went door-to-door to help people fill out Census forms and used social media for wider reach. Additionally, WCLO provided training in culturally-responsive communication and survey collection methods, financial literacy, and computer technology to enhance the outreach workers’ skills and overall capacity. Click here to view the report on our Impact page.
Cross-Sectoral Collaboration, Convening and Thought Leadership
Serve as host site, lessor, and engagement and key thought partner for local community organizations that provide education advocacy , student and family support resources and comprehensive community development:
Crossroads
Soledad Empowerment Action
Green Dot
5LA Nuevo Comienzo Youth Boxing Program
Watts Rising Collaborative
Pahola Ybarra, former Program Manager testifying at California Strategic Growth Council Hearing which ultimately awarded the Watts Rising Collaborative $33.25 to implement 20+ climate resilience projects, including a Displacement Avoidance Plan for which WCLO served as the community-based lead partner.
Watts Century Latino Organization plays a crucial role as a host, collaborator, and equity-focused thought partner for various community organizations that are dedicated to education advocacy, student and family support, and community transformation. We have partnered with organizations such as Crossroads, Soledad Empowerment Action, and Green Dot, to make essential services and resources accessible to community members. Our partnerships foster a supportive network that empowers individuals and families and promotes community well-being. By bringing these organizations together, we maximize our collective impact in addressing the diverse needs of our community. As a collaborator and convener, we are committed to building a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
In the mid-2010s, W/CLO played a critical role as a thought partner in the visioning and grant development process that led to the creation of the Jordan Downs Urban Village Specific Plan and 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. WCLO’s contributions and that of Arturo Ybarra (Executive Director Emeritus) were featured in the 2024 annual TCC report which may be found on our Impact page.
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