*The group applied for a grant through Passion Planners in order to obtain a donation of planners to assist them in organizing and planning events. Each girl received their own passion planner!
MISSION STATEMENT:
We are committed to fostering a love of community through civic engagement on issues that impact everyone of us. Prior to Covid-19 our group's focus was on a topic near and dear to our hearts - community safety, specifically pedestrian safety. As Covid-19 began affecting our communities with school closures, job loss, food /supply shortages , we transitioned to food security and food justice for our most in need community members. Although our project plan changed our roots remained the same which was to aim to strengthen our community by focusing on social advocacy, volunteerism, and spreading education on policies and laws that affect the day to day lives of individuals. We maintained our desire to no longer normalize the barriers that so often obstruct progress for our communities, but instead focused on immediate action, in hopes of empowering others to join us in working toward solutions for our community, our families and future generations.
We are committed to fostering a love of community through civic engagement on issues that impact everyone of us. Prior to Covid-19 our group's focus was on a topic near and dear to our hearts - community safety, specifically pedestrian safety. As Covid-19 began affecting our communities with school closures, job loss, food /supply shortages , we transitioned to food security and food justice for our most in need community members. Although our project plan changed our roots remained the same which was to aim to strengthen our community by focusing on social advocacy, volunteerism, and spreading education on policies and laws that affect the day to day lives of individuals. We maintained our desire to no longer normalize the barriers that so often obstruct progress for our communities, but instead focused on immediate action, in hopes of empowering others to join us in working toward solutions for our community, our families and future generations.
Project need: Our original project goal was to facilitate collaboration between community members (families, neighbors, students) with local organizations and agencies. A goal of addressing issues of overall community safety - specifically pedestrian safety was the underlying theme of our projects. We conducted an initial parent survey in September 2019 surveying parents on their thoughts of safety precautions surrounding the school and overall community safety. One thing that stood out to us was out of everyone polled over 65% reported having community concerns but not being comfortable voicing those concerns to local authority/government agencies. This information guided our projects in our original project planning. Additionally, we conducted one last parent survey in March prior to school closures during our Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB) meeting held at Clinton. However, as the immediate needs of our community changed with Covid-19, so did our group’s project goals. We conducted informal assessments in real time by speaking with teachers, school social workers, school administration, community members, families, and neighbors to figure out what the community most needed during this time. Three things stood out the community needed: financial support, access to food (fresh food/produce), and resources. We then assessed what services/resources already existed in our community and where we could fill a gap. Although, several organizations immediately also jumped into action providing food resources, very few were providing grocery cards, or fresh produce, additionally food banks and churches donating food were not able to deliver to community members. Since social advocacy, volunteerism, and empowering our community has always been at the root of who we are as a group. It was a natural transition to shift toward providing food access and food equality to some of our most affected by COVID-19 and most in need community members with food and resources. Our underlying goal was to directly address the issue of delivery and access to fresh produce. Action plan: *Original action plan prior to Covid-19 Girls Revolution will educate students and parents by presenting in classrooms, and work together with teachers on ways to get students interested and involved. Provide social advocacy for the community's needs by meeting with agency representatives serving individuals and families of the South LA region. Collaborate with community members and agencies to provide information and linkages to resources in regards to pedestrian safety and community safety. Virtual Action/Work plan:
As Covid-19 became a prominent issue impacting the world and our community we began to see a trend. Teachers, and school social workers informed us families were struggling with basic needs such as access to food. Our community parent representative informed us several community families and members either could not access grocery stores due to being considered high risk (pre-existing medical conditions, elderly) or due to not having financial means due to job loss to purchase food needs. All of this along with what were directly hearing from family and community members led us to change directions and work toward assisting on an immediate need of our community. Additionally, while we conducted an assessment of existing food services such as church donations, grab n go locations, food pantries, one apparent gap that existed was all of these options required pick up of the food items. We aimed to provide not only food (non-perishable goods) but fresh produce (fruits/veggies) but also deliver it directly to our community members most in need. Our virtual work plan describes the way we worked quickly and efficiently to disperse information, groceries, and grocery gift cards to families in need. |
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