Legacy LA Youth Development Corporation

Youth leaders from the Ramona Gardens public housing development in Boyle Heights will continue a campaign to build the Ramona Gardens Natural Park with an anti-pollution green buffer to protect 2,000 low-income primarily Latino residents from transit-related air pollution from the adjacent fifteen-lane Interstate-10 Highway. Air quality in Ramona Gardens is among the worst statewide, according to a CalEnviroScreen map, leaving residents at a disproportionately high risk for chronic health conditions from air pollution.

Legacy LA will advance youth-driven solutions to improve youth mental health and increase green space for youth and residents of the Ramona Gardens public housing development in Boyle Heights. Legacy LA will provide culturally relevant services to youth including green space outings, sunrise hikes, indigenous healing practices, therapy, and mindfulness to reduce stress. Youth will serve as mental health ambassadors to destigmatize services among peers and families and will serve as advocates to increase green space for recreation/fitness.

Legacy LA youth leaders from the Ramona Gardens public housing development in Boyle Heights will continue an Environmental Justice campaign to build the Ramona Gardens Natural Park Air Pollution Solution with a focus on advocacy, career readiness and exposure to natural resource education. The program will provide youth leaders with professional and technical skill training, so that they are well equipped to lead and effect systemic change, and to become stewards for increased access to natural resources, parks and open space in their community