In 1994, a small group of parents, youth and residents in Boyle Heights joined together to find solutions to a crisis in our community. Youth violence and gangs were at an all time high but little was being done about it. Instead, recently passed state laws criminalized immigrant families and youth. Fiercely committed to their community and unwilling to give in, these leaders founded InnerCity Struggle to end youth violence and promote positive leadership.

Today, 20 years later, InnerCity Struggle has been a leader in transforming schools throughout the entire Eastside. We have redirected the pipeline toward prison by removing barriers to educational success and instead created pathways to college for thousands of young Latinos. The spirit that drives our fight for justice is a deeply rooted pride and love for the Eastside community.

The Eastside Love Campaign

To mark our 20th year milestone, InnerCity Struggle is launching the I Love the Eastsidecampaign to highlight Eastside stories of community pride and love. This spirit of love and pride is shared by thousands and we will document those stories on this site.

The I Love the Eastside campaign provides a platform to share the multiple personal experiences that are a part of the Eastside story. We know that the sense of love and pride for the Eastside is widely felt and drives the activism for social justice that so many participate in now and have in the past. We want the world to hear our voices and learn more about the deep love and pride that is at the core of the Eastside.

We welcome anyone who lives in the Eastside, works in the Eastside or has ties to the Eastside to participate and share your Eastside love story here. After submitting a story, InnerCity Struggle will send you an I Love the Eastside bumper sticker. Click the following link to submit your own story http://bit.ly/EastsideLove

Guiding Questions

• Why do you love the Eastside?
• When did you first realize your love for the Eastside?
• What do you love about the Eastside most?