Community Coalition (CoCo) was built to help transform the social and economic conditions of South LA residents—from the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s to the challenges impacting South Central amidst the COVID-19 global crisis. CoCo stepped up then and we are stepping up now to build power for our community, change policy and promote homegrown leadership development.
In alignment with government directives to implement social distancing, our Community Coalition team will maintain its office closure and virtual operations schedule. Although our office is physically closed, our team is working remotely and implementing programs through virtual mediums. We remain relentlessly committed to our members and are communicating daily with our base via wellness and needs check-ins to offer mutual aid, stay socially connected, strengthen political partnerships and keep members aware of CoCo’s current campaigns.
Mutual Aid
Supplies and Resources
Since March 16, CoCo has been delivering water, sanitizing supplies, paper towels and toilet paper to our members. We've talked to more than 1,000 members and distributed supplies to more than 50 families.
Technology
Community Coalition is honored to join forces with the Brotherhood Crusade and InnerCity Struggle to fight the digital divide and address the learning needs of our students. The three organizations joined forces to raise $400,000 to support 5,000 high need South and East Los Angeles students with technology to address deep educational inequities in our community. Click here for more information.
Supporting Small Businesses
Our small businesses are the backbone of South LA. They’re the ones that need our financial support right now, not the big corporate chains. Where you can, consider supporting small businesses during this time. Here are a few ways that you can support some of the ones we collaborate with in our South Central by South Central (SCxSC) “Development By Us & For Us” campaign.
South LA Cafe
Make a One-Time PayPal Donation to South LA Cafe
If you’re an essential worker who’s out and about, consider placing a take-out order. To do so, download the Joe Coffee App by texting “coffee” to 474747. When you check out, make sure to click curbside delivery. Joe and Celia will bring it right to your car!
Village Market Place
Online Ordering with Delivery
Mercado La Paloma
Family Meals from Chichen Itza Restaurant
The Tree South LA
Our friends there are offering Instagram Live yoga sessions. Check out their Instagram for updates on when classes are coming up. The suggested donation is $10 to their Venmo (@TheTreeSouthLA) or PayPal (@GTYM)
Politics And Partnerships
SENIOR MEAL PROGRAM
Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson launched an emergency meal program to support Council District 8 residents over the age of 65 during the COVID-19 safe at home order. We know our seniors are most vulnerable and we are teaming up with local, family-owned businesses to deliver FREE meals to seniors in our District.
You must be a Council District 8 resident to participate in this program. If you are interested in receiving free meals through the Emergency Senior Meals Program, call 213.485.7616 to join the waitlist. You will receive a call to let you know when you can begin receiving meals.
If you are a business interested in participating, call 213.485.7616.
Accessing the Resources in the Stimulus Package
How can you benefit from the stimulus package passed by Congress? This Q&A from Congressmember Karen Bass will walk through who qualifies for the cash payment, unemployment insurance, emergency leave, and more.
Rent Freeze for Los Angeles
Over the last three weeks, Community Coalition has talked to 1,000 of our members, and many of them are concerned about the possibility of being homeless as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be felt.
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The city struggles to house more than 44,000 each night who sleep on the street.
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Thirteen thousand seven hundred nineteen are Black, and 12,442 are Brown community members.
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In SPA 6, which encompasses South LA, there were 9,629 residents reported as homeless last year.
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In L.A. County, 34% of the homeless residents in 2019 were Brown.
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Black people make up 8 percent of the County's population, but 31% percent of the homeless population.
Although Governor Newsom recently announced an eviction moratorium for the state of California, the executive order is actually only a delay. Property owners can still initiate evictions and tenants can still be put out of their homes after May 31 for failure to pay during the months of April and May. On March 30, 11th District Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin proposed a broader ban on evictions which fell one vote short of adoption. We need city officials not only to implement an eviction moratorium, but also to take it one step further and introduce rent forgiveness.
Community Coalition applauds Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas for introducing the most recent amendment to deepen tenant protections by implementing a rent freeze across the County. The Board of Supervisors’ unanimous approval further demonstrates that they are doing everything in their power to keep residents in their homes during the COVID-19 crisis. We know it will take members of the community, especially low-income renters, months to recover economically from the COVID crisis. And while the rent freeze goes a long way, we want to make sure those who are most impacted will not be burdened by the added stress of unrealistic repayment obligations.
I live with my mom in a one bedroom apartment. It’s $900 in rent per month. I make just enough each month to be able to pay rent, utilities and the phone bill while also going to school and taking care of my mom. I’ve been putting money aside since last year just in case anything were to happen so that we have a cushion, but I’m worried about the quarantine forcing me to burn through my savings.
– Joseph Hernandez, 19
We need you to get involved.
Let your Councilmember know your concerns regarding COVID-19’s threat of leaving members of our community homeless/houseless by recording a video and uploading it to your Councilmember’s media pages.
Example: “I see community members who are houseless daily; I am afraid I will be homeless too if a rent forgiveness program isn’t put in place in response to COVID-19.”
01 Record your COVID-19 story and tag your CITY COUNCILMEMBER and @LACityCouncil
02 Find your Councilmember's Social Media Accounts here
CoCo’s Current Campaigns
The Census: Strengthening Our Social Safety Net
Historically, communities of color have been undercounted. Step up to make sure our kids and communities are counted to receive the benefits of the census. Covid-19 has changed how we make sure our people are counted in the census so our communities get the funding and resources we deserve. The census is an opportunity to bolster our public health infrastructure, the lack of which is being exposed right now.
A once every 10 years, 10 minute, 10 question survey, the census has major implications in the amount of political representation and funding a community receives for medical clinics, schools, job programs, and public transportation. While we have the time, let’s take the time to fill out the census.
Donate
The activism of Community Coalition members and community residents has been a steadfast catalyst for aid in South LA for decades. Anything you’re able to give to CoCo right now would be appreciated in our continued efforts to improve the material conditions in South LA as we respond to the community’s needs during and after the Corona crisis.
Social Connection
Mind, Body, Soul Activities & Resources
We’ve compiled a list of Mind, Body, Soul resources for you to tap into and use as needed. The isolation and fallout from COVID-19 can lead to high levels of stress and anxiety. Nurturing our mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing is an important way to stay healthy.
Youth Survey
South Central Youth Empowered thru Action (SCYEA) wants to hear about your experiences during the LAUSD school closure. To uplift student voices and experiences in South LA schools, SCYEA will work to share as many different student perspectives as possible. Youth leaders will use that data to inform courses of action that will improve the student experience. You can join this movement and advocate on behalf of yourself and your peers for better access to resources from LAUSD!
PLEASE SHARE THIS SURVEY WITH OTHER STUDENTS