CONNECT
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2021 Grants Challenge

Inclusive LA - All Resources, Many Voices, One Home

Idea by 211 LA

211 LA will create a virtual, multilingual portal that brings all Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Social Justice resources together in one home, engage organizations across the county to bring together and promote focused community events, a public arts and culture map, toolkits and best practices for businesses and employers, discrimination and hate reporting, and identify-appropriate service directories. Through the Inclusive LA portal, everyone will have access to the tools and resources they need to build an Inclusive LA, together.

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In which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?

County of Los Angeles

What is the problem that you are seeking to address?

There is a renewed urgency to address social justice issues, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to combat the rising wave of hate acts and violence. Many efforts are being launched by many organizations in the public, private, & non-profit sector. These efforts range from street art exhibits and integrating art healing into educational and mental health programs, to efforts to support victims of discrimination and acts of hate, to connecting people to culturally competent resources, to expanding training and awareness to create inclusive workplaces and communities, and more. While momentum is expanding quickly, the reach and adoption of these efforts is limited by it having no single place to find and explore them all. The LA 2050 Connect goal seeks to build a civically engaged, active, connected LA County. In order to accomplish that goal, as a County, we need to demonstrate a real commitment to bringing down the barriers to diverse, equitable, and inclusive civic participation.

Describe the project, program, or initiative that this grant will support to address the problem identified.

211 LA will create a virtual, multilingual portal that brings all Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice resources in LA County together in one home-increasing access to and exposure for existing and new work, creativity, and resources, while addressing the needs of people and communities living under the legacies of exclusion, discrimination, criminalization, and erasure. With Inclusive LA, we will provide all Angelenos a place to: Learn to challenge stereotypes and empathize with different human experiences & identities by providing educational content from Explore Justice and other sources. Heal from traumas and develop wellness practices by collecting arts-based and trauma-informed mental health and wellness services and activities. Report & Redress discrimination & hate wherever they occur by providing multilingual online or phone-based reporting and victim supports. Celebrate diversity and social justice wins in our arts, culture, and community through a community-based art & culture map & events calendar. Spread effective DEI practices & values in workplaces, businesses, & services by gathering toolkits, training opportunities, and best practices on creating inclusive environments and becoming Upstanders. Connect to culturally and identity-appropriate community services & engagement opportunities through curated, searchable service directories, live chat support with 211 LA Community Resource Specialists, and notifications on events and opportunities.

In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?

Direct Impact: 10,000

Indirect Impact: 50,000

Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.

Success for Inclusive LA means achieving a kinder, more inclusive, more aware, more upstanding, engaged, and connected Los Angeles County - where people have the knowledge, tools, confidence, and networks of support to stand up to all forms of hate, discrimination, inequity, exclusion, and injustice in any setting or situation. Where stories of identity affirming and restorative community projects, art, events, and cultural expression are shared and celebrated, spreading a renewed pride in the diversity and creativity of the many voices of Los Angeles. Where people can easily connect to all of the organizations doing this amazing work, and the organizations can amplify their work and messages and engage collaboratively with each other. Where Inclusive LA is not just a DEI resource & connection portal, but a promise and reality for all Angelenos.

What evidence do you have that this project, program, or initiative is or will be successful, and how will you define and measure success?

The 211 Inclusive LA portal would leverage existing infrastructure and DEI efforts by 211 LA. For this project, would track the following metrics through site usage information and tracking referrals (for 211 and partners) that come from the Inclusive LA portal: Social & emotional support (will include user surveys as well as tracking # of listed resources, and # of views, clicks, and utilization of relevant resources listed on the site) Public arts and cultural events (track the # of events and locations listed as well as site interaction) Disability access and inclusion (track the # of disability resources listed initially and change over time, # of users accessing listed resources) LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion (track the # of LGBTQ+ resources listed initially and change over time, and # of users accessing listed resources) Immigrant integration (track the # of resources listed initially and change over time, # of users accessing listed resources)

Describe the role of collaborating organizations on this project.

The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations (HRC) will collaborate on Inclusive LA by reaching out to County and City commissions, departments, chambers of commerce, and organizations working on Social Justice, DEI, and anti-hate; identifying resources and service gaps, providing guidance on relevant topic areas, and connecting existing programs like LA vs Hate into the portal. The newly formed City of Los Angeles Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department will collaborate in a similar role, bringing together key players from the City of Los Angeles and connecting resources and programs for inclusion in the Inclusive LA portal. Other partners will be brought on during the initial design and convening phase and will be added throughout the project.

Which of the CONNECT metrics will you impact?​

Social and emotional support

Public arts and cultural events

LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion

Indicate any additional LA2050 goals your project will impact.

LA is the best place to LEARN

LA is the best place to CREATE

LA is the best place to PLAY

LA is the healthiest place to LIVE