New InnerCity Struggle Youth & Community Center
For twenty-five years, InnerCity Struggle has served as a powerful voice for Eastside residents. We’ve developed hundreds of leaders, redirected millions of dollars toward greater public investment in the Eastside and have helped undo policies that criminalized immigrant and Latinx families.
Until now, InnerCity Struggle has operated out of a leased facility which has presented practical barriers to further building the momentum of the organization’s work. These barriers included constricted administrative and programmatic space, unreliable interior conditions and aging building systems, and of course, the impermanence of leasing versus owning.
A PERMANENT INSTITUTION
Ownership of a permanent and fully resourced headquarters is essential to advancing InnerCity Struggle’s mission to improve the quality of life in the Eastside.
In July 2016, with the committed involvement of the organization’s Board of Directors, InnerCity Struggle successfully closed escrow on a commercial property at the heart of the Eastside in Boyle Heights. Initial design explorations determined that the aged standing structure should be replaced rather than renovated to meet organizational needs for the next 20 years.
On May 28, 2019, nearly 300 community leaders and residents gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Center.
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Click for more photos from the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
A Vehicle for People Power
The 6,000 square foot, two-story building will serve as a vehicle for community organizing in the Eastside of Los Angeles. The Center will be a place where residents are able to work together to find solutions to issues impacting their community. The Center will also be a place where youth can find their voice and be prepared for college.
The new facility will amply accommodate youth and community programming on the first level and administrative operations and meetings on a second level. The Center will not only increase civic participation amongst Eastside residents but will inspire current leaders to take their campaigns and leadership development to the next level for decades to come.
NEW FEATURES
Youth Technology Center - A state of the art work-space for youth and adult leaders will include computers and tablets for research, homework and college applications.
Community Room - A common space with a kitchenette which will offer healthy meals and snacks for youth to 'hang out.' This room also doubles as a space for child care during parent meetings and events.
Assembly Hall - A gathering space to host town hall meetings, press events, trainings and much more.
Academic Services Room - An academic space to cultivate a college-going culture for youth leaders.
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OUR TEAM
We’re proud to work with the following partners:
Since 2016, the critical support provided by mission-aligned foundations, donors and investors ensured the opening of InnerCity Struggle’s permanent headquarters.
Thank you to our supporters:
City of Los Angeles, Council District 14
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Hilda L. Solis
LAUSD School Board Member, Mónica García
Thank you to our generous donors:
Los Angeles Housing + Community Investment Department
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Los Angeles County, First Supervisorial District
Weingart Foundation
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
The Ahmanson Foundation
W.M. Keck Foundation
The Smidt Foundation
The California Endowment
Ballmer Group
The Rose Hills Foundation
The James Irvine Foundation
Marguerite Casey Foundation
Vernon CommUNITY Fund
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
The Wallace Foundation
U.S. Senator Kamala Harris
Women Helping Youth
The Whitman Institute
Thank you to our generous lenders:
Genesis LA
Hill-Snowdon Foundation
Weingart Foundation