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City Council honors USC "Good Neighbors" campaign after 30 years and $30 million in community grants
Summary
The Los Angeles City Council recognized the University of Southern CaliforniaGood Neighbors campaign at a council meeting, noting the programhas raised about $30 million and awarded thousands of grants across multiple council districts.
The Los Angeles City Council on a ceremonial portion of its meeting recognized the University of Southern California's Good Neighbors campaign for its 30-year effort to fund community grants that council members said have reached neighborhoods across the city.
The recognition noted that the campaign has raised roughly $30 million and awarded that money through thousands of grants supporting programs in education, workforce training, arts and cultural programming, and community services. "Durante los tres décadas esta campaña ha sido el centro de activismo en la comunidad de Los Ángeles," Councilmember Price said while introducing the presentation.
Why it matters: Council members and community leaders described the campaign as a long-term private-university effort to invest in local neighborhoods, particularly in South Los Angeles and adjacent council districts. Presenters said the program has supported after-school activities, arts projects, workforce development and neighborhood services that city officials credited with helping residents during crises including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Details presented at the dais included remarks from USC officials and community partners. Ethy Trimble Sanders, introduced in the meeting as "vicepresidenta de participación científica y asociaciones económicas," said the program goes "mucho mE1s allE1 de financiamiento" and that it "fomenta una breve confianza para los jF3venes." Carolina Castillo, who the presenters identified as the program director for the Good Neighbors campaign, accepted recognition on behalf of the university and the many community partners that receive the grants. "Como madre soltera, como hija de emigrantes, este programa es muy importante para mED," Castillo said.
Multiple community beneficiaries spoke from the podium. Nancy PE9rez described arts programming and murals funded by the campaign in Expo Park and said the funding helped connect residents to clinics and neighborhood resources. James McAllen, executive director of Teatro Calle 24, described early material support from the university that allowed the small theater to install lighting and keep performing.
Council commentary emphasized the campaignsupports schools, arts and workforce programs across five council districts and that the grants "go much further than direct funding," building local capacity and partnerships, Councilmember Hernandez said.
The council presented a certificate of recognition to USC and to program leaders. No formal policy or funding action was taken by the council during the presentation; it was part of the meeting's ceremonial presentations.
