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LA Community Beautification Program
DETOURS MENTORING GROUP INC’s LA Community Beautification Program (CBP) is designed to help build and foster strong neighborhoods by connecting residents to services and resources that help to improve the quality of life in underserved communities.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Community safety
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Applying a proven solution to a new issue or sector (using an existing model, tool, resource, strategy, etc. for a new purpose)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
Like many urban cities in America, Los Angeles County and the 88 cities within its boundaries aren't exempt from blighted communities. These communities are often characterized by deteriorating buildings, graffiti filled walls, vacant lots, trash, crime, debris and economic decline. These environments can become breeding grounds for violence due to several interrelated factors. Addressing the issue involves understanding the root causes and implementing comprehensive solutions that impact and involve community members.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
Detours Mentoring Group’s CBP is a comprehensive community beautification program designed to address the dual challenges of violence & neglect in the city of Gardena, Los Angeles and South Los Angeles County. By engaging residents in a series of targeted projects, LACBP aims to create a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant community.
Since 1975 South Los Angeles has been known as a very unattractive area dominated by poverty, crime, drugs and gangs. With this unappealing history, it is no wonder that this part of the city has over the years taken on an unsavory look and feel. Over 200 calls per week regarding graffiti and dumping alone in the city limits, and heavy traffic along main throughway going ease and west creating even more smog and the sight of traffic blight. A beautification program of this magnitude does not happen overnight, and many of these initiatives will take a dedicated commitment of time and resources.
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
The ultimate vision for LACBP is a thriving, self-sustaining community where residents feel safe, proud, and empowered. By fostering a culture of collective action and continuous improvement, Detours Mentoring Group aims to create a lasting legacy of resilience and renewal in Los Angeles County.
Attracting Investment: A cleaner, safer, and more attractive community will attract new businesses and investment, boosting the local economy.
Job Creation: Beautification projects and ongoing maintenance will create job opportunities for residents.
What evidence do you have that this project, program, or initiative is or will be successful, and how will you define and measure success?
Through regular weekly LAPD and LASD Crime Statistics: We can monitor changes in crime rates in areas targeted by beautification efforts, aiming for a measurable reduction in violence and vandalism.
Through monthly Community Surveys: Conduct regular surveys to gauge resident satisfaction and sense of safety, using feedback to refine and improve the program.
We'll also offer door to door knocking to get an in person overview of what residents think of the program and its impact.
Describe the role of collaborating organizations on this project.
Founded in 2005 during a major gang conflict, Southern California Ceasefire has been a catalyst for peace, using personal stories and community insights to guide our violence prevention efforts. Our initial forums for dialogue among rival gang members markedly reduced gang and gun violence, setting the stage for our broader mission. As a peer-to-peer support group, we offer a safe space for those most proximate to violence, transforming every conversation into a step towards understanding and peace. Our mission is to eradicate violence through empowerment and dialogue, creating safer communities one step at a time
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 1,000.0
Indirect Impact: 50,000.0