Kreative Images Foundation

As an organization that has aided in securing over $10 million in funding for global projects 2) developed more than 600 businesses and nonprofits – boosting employment while implementing services 3) aided in feeding more than 15,000 children and families 4) facilitated free business development workshops for thousands, creating opportunities for business growth, and 5) helped to establish afterschool programs for hundreds of disadvantaged youth; the Kreative Images Foundation (K.I.) is honing our focus to specifically impact South Los Angeles communities through the Collaborative 360 Project. What is Collaboration? 1) The Merriam Webster definition states . . . Collaboration means to cooperate with an agency or instrumentality with which one is not immediately connected 2) Wikipedia’s definition says . . . Collaboration is working together to achieve a goal; working together to realize shared goals; a collective, determination to reach an identical objective; sharing knowledge, learning and building consensus. 3) Dictionary.com explains . . . Collaboration is the act of working with another or others on a joint project, or something created by working jointly with another or others What is Collaborative 360 (C-360)? For Collaborative 360 (C-360), Collaboration means, effectively forming vital relationships with those in South Los Angeles and beyond that will collectively work toward the greater good of others; thereby through joint efforts, C-360 will offer full-circle, wrap-around services to address community needs. C-360 is designed for local businesses, community organizations, churches and residents to cooperatively implement strategies that ultimately create self-sustaining, healthy communities. These joint alliances will produce extensive, long-term outcomes, i.e., reduction in crime, improved community relations, enhanced literacy scores, business creation, and enhanced employment opportunities, just to name a few. Preventing Valuable Economic Leakage by Plugging in the Gaps In order for any community to gain and sustain its most valuable asset (people), there must be services, solutions and economic wealth that exist. Without them, the outflow turns into a steady stream of job reduction, high crime, loss of businesses, etc.; resulting in what’s called white-flight (the departure of whites or wealthier populations). This deficiency of people and resources leaves low-income minority populations to dwell among low-producing schools, sub-standard housing, blighted businesses and more. Stopping the Ripple Effect of Community Deprivation – In order to build healthy sustainable communities, thereby a healthy LA by 2050, it’s important that we uplift and empower “all” Angelinos; while also attracting and retaining the powerful minds and creative individuals that are so much a part of our opulently diverse, cultural lining (USC and UCLA students, visiting tourist contemplating relocation and others); including reigniting the passion and interest of current residents that are contemplating moving away. In order for C-360 to have an impact and promote sustainability communities, we must first understand why people either remain or move from a community. The U.S. Census Bureau announced that among those who moved between 2009 and 2010, more than four out of 10 (16.4 million or 43.7 percent) did so for desirable housing and community related reasons, such as the desire live in cleaner, safer communities. In an effort to create safe, livable communities, C-360 will focus on forming alliances (crossing business sectors, industries and community programs), in our target areas to cross-collaborate and create sustainable strategies for success. We have experienced major success in helping organizations and businesses cross collaborate in ways that are seldom considered before: • Teaching strategies to for-profits and nonprofits to collaborate for business sustainability while aiding community residents; i.e., showing a struggling plumber how he can work with a nonprofit job training program (plumbing apprentice program) and provide needed services to low-income families, seniors, the disabled, etc. • Linking child care centers with yoga instructors, because studies have shown that toddlers are entering kindergarten with the stress levels of 9th graders • Helping mental health professionals form nonprofits to aid individuals that otherwise could not receive their services; with a goal to prevent instances like the senseless killings of Newton, Connecticut; Columbine; the Aurora, CO theater shootings and more.