At a time when the rising cost of living hits harder on our most vulnerable communities, funding from the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) continues to bring stability to thousands of Angelenos experiencing a crisis. This year, United Way of Greater Los Angeles and the local EFSP board awarded $5.9 million in funds… continue reading EFSP supports 181 L.A. organizations’ work to prevent homelessness and food insecurity

People celebrate their heritage in many different ways. Just a few have the privilege of honoring their culture and heritage as public servants. That’s what U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu has been doing for the past 14 years since she became the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress.   “As a young girl, I never actually… continue reading AAPI Heritage Month: How Congresswoman Judy Chu Advocates for AAPI Community’s Safety and Prosperity

LOS ANGELES, CA —The newly formed LA County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA) kicks off its first board meeting with elected officials representing all 88 cities of the County and citizen experts. The agency is primed to fundamentally change how LA approaches housing as a region by preserving, protecting and producing affordable housing. LACAHSA Board… continue reading LACAHSA is launched with the mission of helping more people stay in their homes

According to the Downtown Women’s Center data on women experiencing homelessness, 53% have experienced domestic abuse, and 27% experienced sexual assault in the last 12 months. It also shows that the lack of safe and affordable housing often forces women to choose between living with their abuser or becoming homeless. No one should have to make such a choice.

Through this initiative, Black and Latina women accrue valuable financial assets, invest in their communities, and increase their personal wealth by pooling their funding in United Way’s affordable housing and economic development investments. It allows participants to receive double-digit returns on their contributions while supporting the production of affordable housing and other vital resources in their neighborhoods. 

As a current UWGLA Board member, Fraser continues to feel excited about celebrating the richness of our community and how it's moved us into these 100 years. “One of the most important parts of Los Angeles and Southern California is our ability to accept people as they grow and change. In other parts of the country, you're defined by your background, by your past,” she noted. “But I think in Los Angeles, we're open for people to be redefined, repositioned… I love that freedom of being. I'd like to see more of that happen in our region and for us to be a welcoming place for everyone.”

As we continue evolving in our mission to end racial and economic disparities in Los Angeles, we recognize those systems that perpetuate inequalities need to be changed first. And we know that’s possible when we look back at the legacy of men and women like Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.  These two Mexican American activists who worked to improve the working conditions and wages of farmworkers through organizing across the nation in the 60s continue to inspire and impact us today.

The vision of collective good has been in United Way L.A.’s DNA for 100 years, but the main lesson we learned from the pandemic was that it is possible to respond to a state of emergency to support people in crisis while embracing the urgency to build community wealth in our marginalized communities. 

With the vision that wellness is a human right every person should have access to, It’s Bigger Than Us (IBTU) is bringing healthcare equity with a holistic approach to South Los Angeles. “IBTU stands for health equity in providing solutions to the community by providing community activations, youth programming, listening sessions, volunteer opportunities, and also… continue reading UWGLA’s Prosperity Partner: It’s Bigger Than Us— Providing targeted solutions for community’s wellness

Promesa Boyle Heights has been in the business of creating prosperity in the community since its establishment in 2010. Today, the motivation to foster an adjusted-healthy community is greater than ever. “When we work collaborative, we work collectively, it's really, really powerful!”