Peace and Healing Centers
L.A. is piloting a program to create physical spaces where communities with high rates of pollution, poverty, and violence can go to heal.
- Why it matters: The nine Peace and Healing centers are located in L.A. REPAIR Zones, which stands for Reforms for Equity and Public Acknowledgement of Institutional Racism. Half of Angelenos living in poverty in overcrowded areas live in these zones. About 87% of people living in these zones are people of color, according to the city’s Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department, or LA Civil Rights, which launched the $2 million program.
- The backstory: The centers will offer 20 hours a week of free healing programs tailored to the needs of their communities.
- Why now: “There’s so much trauma in our communities right now,” said Capri Maddox, executive director of LA Civil Rights and a board trustee for Southern California Public Radio. She says with gun violence, police brutality, and economic stress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, people need spaces to heal.
Is there a center near me?
Here’s a list of the Peace and Healing centers:
- Para Los Niños in the South LA REPAIR Zone.
- Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA) in the Southeast LA REPAIR Zone.
- Bryant Temple AME Community Development Corporation in the West Adams, Leimert Park, and Baldwin Village REPAIR Zone.
- Central City Neighborhood Partners (CCNP) in the Westlake REPAIR Zone.
- YMCA LA in the Wilmington and Harbor Gateway REPAIR Zone.
- Proyecto Pastoral in the Boyle Heights REPAIR Zone.
- Creating Justice LA in the Skid Row REPAIR Zone.
- El Nido Family Center in Arleta-Pacoima REPAIR Zone
- El Nido Family Center in Mission Hills – Panorama City – North Hills REPAIR Zone.