Villaraigosa launches anti-poverty program using $18 million in federal money
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today unveiled a new anti-poverty program that will include 21 Family Source centers throughout the city as one-stop shops for applying for financial, educational and some healthcare assistance programs.
The centers are scheduled to open Jan. 4 and will be in some of the most impoverished pockets of the city.
Villaraigosa said the coordinated program comes at a critical time for many in a city where the unemployment rate is cresting near 14% and more than 28,000 families have lost their homes in the past two and a half years.
“Now more than ever we need to act," Villaraigosa said.
The program will receive $18 million in federal grants and stimulus money.
City Councilman Richard Alarcon said the program enhances L.A.’s ability to attract more federal money and grants from nonprofit foundations, and allows the city to provide more efficient and effective outreach to those in need even at a time when the city is struggling with a $405-million budget deficit.
“We have less to work with and more problems to address," he said. “The bottom line is we are going to provide better services to more people who need them more than ever."
Along with signing up for social aid, the service centers will be able to provide adults with everything from child care service to helping with job placement. For youth, the centers will provide educational assistance, offering tutoring, mentoring and arts instruction.
-- Phil Willon at L.A. City Hall
They should keep a very close eye on the organizations that receive the grant money--the Washington Post had a huge story on the hundreds of millions of dollars that goes missing, lost, mismanaged throughout orgs. & agencies that address the needs of the poor. Beware the poverty 'pimps' -- they will crawl out from under at the sight of all that money.
Posted by: Tara | October 19, 2009 at 06:30 PM
doesn't it make more sense to attract the businesses that can hire some of the people that are willing to work? Reduce taxes, offer incentives! Teach a man to fish!
Posted by: Dubu | October 19, 2009 at 07:05 PM
HEY THIS IS GREAT!!!
VILLA-GROSSA YOU SHOULD TAKE ALL OF OUR MONEY AND OPEN UP A ONE STOP STORE EVERY 5 FEET YEAH!!!
$20 MILLION FOR THESE STORES? REALLY? YOU PEOPLE ARE ALL SHEEP!!! HE'S SCREWING YOU ALL. PATHETIC SHEEPLE
BUT, THE ONLY HELP IS FOR, THAT'S RIGHT!!!
THE ILLEGALS... shhh...
Posted by: scott | October 19, 2009 at 07:15 PM
When are we going to stop pouring money down a rat hole...The vast majority of these people will never be productive members of society...This sounds like just more inner city handouts...
Posted by: TheBigPicture | October 20, 2009 at 09:16 AM
So the federal government is giving grants to establish a government program intended to increase the use of other government programs. I can't say that this Obama-Villaraigosa collaboration to increase government spending is surprising.
Posted by: riposter | October 20, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Is this program a pipeline of assistance for illegal immigrants (citizens of other countries living here)? Is it's sole purpose to help more people sign up for more welfare programs? How about a program to help people become self-sufficient instead of dependent? Oh, I forgot, dependent people always vote for whoever promises them the most goodies..Thanks Mayor V. for another nail in the coffin of California's economy.
Posted by: SonoranSteve | October 20, 2009 at 12:03 PM
This is not an anti-poverty program. This is a pro-poverty program. Sign up as many as you can and keep them in low income bondage. Social programs are just a repackaged form of slavery. Most unknowingly will be greatful and keep their slaveowners in political power.
Posted by: kernsmart | October 20, 2009 at 04:53 PM