Over the past month, we checked in with our 2024 grantees to learn how their funded programs, projects, and initiatives are progressing – and to better understand the impact they’re making across Los Angeles. Now, we are excited to share these interviews, with stories of growth, challenges, and community transformation.

The Los Angeles City Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (EmpowerLA) received funding through the LA2050 Grants Challenge from the Goldhirsh Foundation to support a civic engagement campaign linking residents with Neighborhood Councils and City services. Below is an edited transcript of our conversation with their team.

LA2050: In your application last year, you wrote: “The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance and value of strong, local networks in uplifting communities and protecting vulnerable populations.” This emphasis on community care has only been underscored by the wildfires earlier this year. How has EmpowerLA been able to meet this moment?

EmpowerLA: The role of local government, and the partnerships, resources, and capacity it can mobilize, becomes especially vital when our communities face crises. During and after this year’s wildfires, EmpowerLA served as a central hub, connecting Angelenos to timely information, emergency services, and city resources. We shared health and safety updates, fire monitoring tools, parking, Red Flag warnings, and more through our 99 Neighborhood Councils.

Neighborhood Councils played a critical role on the ground. Many helped lead evacuation centers, distributed emergency resources, hosted public meetings to bring residents and city officials together, and even sent out alerts, often while members themselves were in evacuation zones. Under the Mayor’s declared state of emergency, Neighborhood Councils were also able to swiftly allocate funds to support emergency services and supplies.

Our department supported citywide efforts through the Disaster Relief Worker Program, assigning staff to voucher distribution, ID application support, volunteer coordination, and data input at relief centers.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to strengthening emergency preparedness within the Neighborhood Council system, streamlining communication across city departments, and continuing to engage Angelenos in building a more resilient Los Angeles.

LA2050: The Connecting Neighbors & Empowering LA! initiative is unique in its intent to create on-ramps for sustained civic participation, as opposed to one-off community events. Tell us more about this vision and how you plan to make it happen.

EmpowerLA: Connecting Neighbors & Empowering LA! is a vibrant initiative designed to bring Angelenos together to celebrate the strengths of their neighborhoods and inspire long-term civic participation. These events offer something for everyone: live local music, delicious food, engaging art, and opportunities to connect with local organizations and City resources.

At its core, the initiative aims to strengthen communities by fostering meaningful relationships, encouraging civic pride, and inspiring volunteerism. In the short term, we’re focused on connecting residents with their neighbors, green spaces, and local services. Longer term, we’re building bridges to Neighborhood Councils, promoting ongoing volunteer opportunities, and nurturing a shared sense of civic responsibility.

We’re hosting five events across Los Angeles, in the Harbor, South LA, Central LA, East LA, and the San Fernando Valley. Each event will be held in local green spaces through partnerships with City departments and regional collaborators. While the gatherings feature music, food, and art, they also serve as a platform to spotlight local priorities like housing, public safety, youth engagement, and sustainability. Attendees can take part in interactive workshops, sign up for volunteer projects, and learn how to get involved with their Neighborhood Council, ensuring these events spark lasting engagement well beyond a single day.

LA2050: What do you hope to achieve in the next six months of the grant, and how can the broader LA2050 community support?

EmpowerLA: We’re excited to kick off the planning phase of the Connecting Neighbors & Empowering LA! initiative. Our team is currently identifying event locations across the five targeted regions, ensuring each gathering is rooted in and reflective of the local community.

Next, we’ll begin outreach to potential partners, including local organizations, City Council Offices, community leaders, and City departments, to build strong, region-specific collaborations. We’re also starting the fun part: securing food, entertainment, and service vendors that highlight and support local businesses.

At the same time, we’re ramping up promotional efforts to generate early excitement and ensure robust community participation.

We’re especially looking forward to collaborating with LA2050 during this phase, particularly by inviting past and current grantees to join us at these events. Their work aligns beautifully with our goals, and their presence will enrich the experience for attendees while highlighting organizations already making an impact in these communities. We had such a positive experience connecting with many of them at last year’s networking event and would love to continue those relationships on the ground.

We’d also deeply appreciate any communications or amplification support. Your help in spreading the word through your channels will be invaluable in helping these events truly Empower LA!

Get connected with your local Neighborhood Council! Visit 99NCs.com to find your local Neighborhood Council and to join their mailing list, stay up to date on news and events, and discover ways to get involved in your community.

Interview Participant:

Marilú Guevara, Director of Awareness and Engagement