As a result of decades of disinvestment in community resources such as grocery stores, health facilities, and recreational spaces, South Los Angeles residents have the highest rate of individuals who are obese or suffer from diabetes or heart disease in LA County.
Since 1990, Community Coalition has worked in partnership with residents, service providers, and public agencies to improve community conditions that have a direct impact on the mental and physical health of youth and adults living in South LA.
Everyone should be able to afford adequate housing without giving up healthy food, medical care, or other necessities, or accepting unsafe housing conditions. Everyone should have access to healthy food options in their community. Having access to a nearby supermarket can encourage a better diet and eating behaviors, lower the costs of obtaining food, reduce chronic diseases, and lower the risk of food insecurity.1
Everybody should also have access to parks and other open spaces near their home. Parks can encourage physical activity, reduce chronic diseases, improve mental health, foster community connections, and support community resilience to climate change and pollution.2
Our Work
A happy community is a healthy community. And a healthy community is one where residents have access to a quality education, adequate employment, transportation, physical activity, and nutrition. Health is not merely the absence of disease, but also the presence of resources that benefit the mind, body and soul.
That means partnering with community businesses that promote nutritious food and health lifestyles. It means supporting businesses that provide healthy food at reasonable prices, like Hank’s Mini Market and the Freedom Food Project. Businesses that give South LA access to organic fruits and vegetables like Community Services Unlimited. And those that offer healthy outlets to work through stress and trauma, like the yoga studio at The Tree South LA.
Mind, Body and Soul Resources
A Toast to Artistry
Sip-n-Paint events. Select a featured painting by date. Purchase your ticket(s) and your spot is automatically reserved for the class you chose. Your name will be on the check-in list when you arrive. Get ready to paint, sip, and have lots of fun!
Black Girls Run! (Los Angeles)
In 2009, Black Girls RUN! was created in an effort to tackle the growing obesity epidemic in the African-American community and provide encouragement and resources to both new and veteran runners. The goal of “Black Girls Run” is to encourage and motivate black women to practice a healthy lifestyle
Contra-Tiempo Company Class:
Every week, a different Contra-Tiempo teaching artist will lead a virtual class to get you groovin’ and movin’. Check out their instagram for weekly class details (@contra_tiempo).
- Date: Thursdays
- Time: 12pm PST / 3pm EST
- Zoom Join Link: zoom.us/j/448778031
Crisis Text Line
Text “Home” to 741741 and it lets people connect to a trained crisis counselor without having to talk on the phone.
Hosted by Dancing Diaspora Founder, Marina Magalhães, this dance class seeks to translate such ideas into the body — how can we embody principles of Latin & African diasporic dance practices while exploring our own unique expression?
Da Poetry Lounge
Every Tuesday they have open mic for poets and every 3rd Tuesday is a special event. There is a cover charge.
Emmada Psychology Center
With an emphasis on empowering communities through healing, Emmada is also focused on addressing healthcare disparities.
Hot and Cool Cafe
Every Sunday live performances. Afro Zen on Sundays and it’s free.
LA County Substance Abuse Hotline
Call 1-844-804-7500 for confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
LA County Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-978-3600 to speak to highly-trained advocates available 24/7/365 to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
L.A. County Resource Line
Call 211 for LA County phone hub for all types of health, human and social services in Los Angeles County, providing callers with information and referrals to the services that best meet their needs.
Mental Health Hotline
Call 1-800-854-7771 for confidential and 24/7 mental health screenings and assessments, referral to a service providers, crisis counseling, mobilizing field response teams, and linkages to other services and resources.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 800-273-8255 or text “Hope” to 916-668-ICAN) offers free, confidential 24/7 help.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
They have put together a helpful PDF guide with coronavirus-related questions and resources.
Relational Center
We exist to promote the essential importance of relationships. When we value our connections with others and with the environment, we create the necessary conditions for health and sustainability. So our work promotes personal, interpersonal, and social practices that help people build strong, resilient relationships. Our programs provide healing support, a space for community building, and tools for leadership.