Assets and Risks

The assets of Pacoima and Panorama City are an appropriate response to the risks in the cities. During our immersion, the Hard-Core gang interventionists explained that many youth become involved in gang violence because there are not other activities for them. Also, these communities are low-income, and the youth struggle financially, which provokes criminal behavior. In response, CIS, Communities in Schools, puts on activities throughout the year for the youth to be involved. The San Fernando Valley Worker Center provides job resources to this population, allowing them to become one step closer to financial stability. Ultimately, the populations of Pacoima and Panorama City improve in correlation to the resources afforded to them. The various community centers, worker centers, and recreational activities help elevate these communities to their potential.

On the other hand, there is still evidence of the prominent risks in Pacoima and Panorama city, for example, when visiting Pacoima, the Hubert Humphrey Park was vandalized by the nearby gang in the area. The staff of the park, had to tell us of the vandalism and warned us to be careful as we explored the park and nearby area. Also, there are gang injunctions in the areas we visited, which is a sign that there are still risks in these areas and families must still be cautious and aware of what is going on in their communities

ASSETS - NORTH HILLS/PANORAMA CITY
Community in Schools (CIS)- Helps at-risk youth by creating a service delivery plan and ensuring the plan is benefiting the youth.
Soledad Enrichment action- Charter school for youth unable to attend a traditional school. Provides students with a unique way of learning by respecting them, giving personal attention to students, and allowing students to have 3 different classes to attend to per day.
Park across from Soledad Enrichment Action
Penny lane-family center/community living
Shopping center
Grocery stores
Clothing stores
Churches
Trucks that provide produce to the community
Fast food
Mexican food restaurants
Advancement Project- research ways to improve the status of at-risk communities
In Mission Hill, there is a church that provides services to the community that is headed by Pastor Sam.

RISKS - NORTH HILLS/PANORAMA CITY
Liquor Stores
Motels because of prostitution
Empty Lots
Trash on the streets
Langdon boy gang is near the community
Multiple payday advance stores which perpetuates a cycle of debt in the community

ASSETS - PACOIMA
Humphrey Park which provides programs for teens such as the “Summer Night Lights” program where the teen center stays open until 12am through the Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa’s office
Boys and Girls Club of San Fernando Valley
Community center
Senior center
Church
Northeast San Fernando Valley Work Source Center
Pacoima beautiful
Murals
Pacoima Youth and Family Center
Youth Speak! Collective

RISKS - PACOIMA
Gang violence
Pacoima projects across the street from elementary school
Graffiti at the park
Gang Injunction