Lets Heal, Lets Build

Community safety

South LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

At The Healing Circle LA, we recognize that community safety and income inequality in South LA are intertwined challenges rooted in systemic trauma and decades of disinvestment. Key issues include:
Systemic Trauma: Exposure to violence, racism, and injustice has left deep generational trauma.
Disinvestment: South LA has suffered economic neglect and lack of resources, fueling poverty (34% of residents live below the poverty line, almost double the county rate.
Community Mistrust & Fractured Relationships: After years of broken promises and competition for scarce resources, many residents have lost trust in institutions and each other, weakening the social fabric.
These factors perpetuate cycles of violence and economic hardship. Healing these wounds and rebuilding trust is foundational to changing how people view themselves and each other. By addressing trauma and fostering unity, we can break these cycles and build a safer, more equitable future.

The LA2050 grant will support the expansion of The Healing Circle LA’s healing circles program and leadership development initiative to address community safety and income inequality in South LA. Our culturally rooted model provides safe spaces where community members affected by trauma and violence engage in weekly healing dialogues. In these circles, trained peer facilitators guide conversations that build trust, teach positive coping and conflict resolution skills, and help participants heal together. We also train select participants in facilitation, outreach, and advocacy, turning individual healing into community leadership.
We expect:
Reduced Violence: Participants learn to resolve conflicts nonviolently, breaking cycles of violence (healing circle programs have cut violent incidents by 45%
Higher Emotional Intelligence: Regular dialogue increases self-awareness, empathy, and communication skills.
Peer Accountability: Participants support and hold each other accountable for growth, strengthening community bonds.
Civic & Economic Engagement: Participants become civically engaged (volunteering, advocacy) and pursue education or jobs, boosting economic mobility.
Grant funding will expand programming to more sites, support staff and facilitators, and provide leadership training workshops. By investing in healing and empowerment, we will cultivate a network of local leaders dedicated to safety, equity, and prosperity in South LA.

Los Angeles County will benefit from a healed, empowered South LA. Safety will be community-driven, defined by neighbors who trust and care for each other instead of by policing. South LA will have an infrastructure of community-led care: healing circles, peer counselors, and trained local leaders actively addressing conflict and trauma. Residents will experience cultural safety and pride, with their identities and stories honored. Increased local agency means community members lead initiatives like violence prevention and youth mentorship, reclaiming the narrative of their neighborhoods. As trauma is addressed, more individuals will pursue education, entrepreneurship, and careers, boosting economic mobility. South LA will be known not for disparity but for resilience and peer-led transformation. By rooting the community in healing, we create a ripple effect – a safer, more equitable Los Angeles County with formerly marginalized residents now leading its transformation.