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City Council recognizes USC Good Neighbors campaign's 30 years of community grants and neighborhood partnerships
Summary
The council presented a recognition to the University of Southern California for three decades of the Good Neighbors campaign, which the university and grantees said has provided community grants, volunteerism and services across multiple council districts.
The Los Angeles City Council recognized the 30th anniversary of the USC Good Neighbors campaign, highlighting long-term grants and partnerships that USC officials and community grantees said have supported education, workforce development, arts programs and neighborhood services.
Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell (recorded in the transcript as Councilmember Price and others presiding on the presentation) introduced university representatives and USC staff described the program's reach. Effie Turnbull-Sanders, USC vice president for civic engagement and economic partnerships, and Dr. Carolina Castillo, who oversees the Good Neighbors program, described nearly $30 million in grants distributed over three decades and emphasized that the initiative extends across multiple council districts.
Grantee partners and participants spoke in the chamber about the program's effect. Nancy Perez of LA Commons described youth mural and clinic-pathway projects; Kevin Martinez of Boyle Heights Beat described youth media programs supported by the grants; and Jay McAdams of the 20th Street Theater recounted early USC support that helped the theater sustain arts programming. Several councilmembers praised USC's longstanding neighborhood investment and presented a certificate of recognition.
USC speakers emphasized that the program is more than grantmaking: Good Neighbors creates partnerships, volunteer opportunities, and long-term institutional relationships. The program leaders told the council they plan to expand service reach and continue working with city council members on neighborhood priorities.
