Jordan Downs

         Jordan Downs Redevelopment: Accomplishments, Progress, and Highlights  

• 2012- The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles's (HACLA) Board of Commissioners approves SHIELDS for Families, Inc. for Year 2 to continue providing on-site household needs assessments and social services.
• 2012-HACLA's Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Master Developer Agreement with the Michaels Organization and BRIDGE Housing Corporation for Jordan Downs Redevelopment.
• 2012- Presented the potential Master Developer to the Jordan Downs community at the Board of Commissioners Meeting on February 23, 2012
• 2011- SHIELDS for Families, Inc. announced as the Family First Provider; Project Fatherhood receives expansion grant for an additional three years
• 2010-HACLA completed the Master Plan and began the Specific Plan process with the LA City Planning Department; Motivated Mothers, Youth Action Squad and Digital Connectors are formed; Project Fatherhood receives pilot grant from Children’s Institute, Inc.
• 2009-Announced the Master Planning Team and began the community engagement process for planning a new Jordan Downs community
• 2008-HACLA announced the Jordan Downs Redevelopment with the purchase of the 21-acre parcel known as “the Factory”; JDCAC Is formed

The HACLA team completed the Community-Based Jordan Downs Master Plan in less than one year with resident and community participation and input. More..

What is the Human Capital Plan?

The redevelopment is accompanied by a comphrehensive Human Capital Plan known as the "Family First" program. The "Family First" program is a place-based strategy that provides an unprecedented level of social services at Jordan Downs Public Housing Development. Programs are crafted specifically to meet the needs of residents and are provided on-site at the Jordan Downs Community Center, creating easier opportunities for residents to access programs on-site while having the opportunity to work with a Family Coach who assist families set goals and reach them. This is different from a traditional social service model where grant funded opportunities are available to those who quality.

HACLA contracted SHIELDS for Families, Inc. in 2011 to be the on-site social service provider at Jordan Downs. SHIELDS for Families, Inc. had an official “Kick Off” in March 2012 and has conducted household needs assessments and developed specific strategies and programs to address issues that have emerged from those assessments to meet the needs of the residents in the community. SHIELDS for Families, Inc. along with the residents of Jordan Downs have been instrumental partners for providing outreach and recruitment to residents for the programs available to them on-site.

Each family that enrolls in the “Family First” program is assigned to a Family Coach who assists them in goal setting, accessing services either on-site or off-site and helping them to navigate a range of opportunities that are available to them. By putting families first, people are empowered to get the support they need to be successful.

Human Capital Plan: Accomplishments, Progress and Highlights

• Quality Schools are one of the strongest catalysts with which to energize and change communities. Congratulations to the students at the Mayor’s Partnership for Los Angeles Schools for their academic progress. Students experienced the largest achievement gain of an L.A. High School!
• Click the link for additional details: http://www.partnershipla.org/news/view/2012-10-the-partnership-for-los-angeles-schools-api-scores-s
• Established Kids Progress, Inc., (KPI) to increase revenue for human capital programs
• Developed a targeted Workforce Development and Academic Achievement Strategy to assist non-elderly adults obtain their High School diplomas and continue on to college and/or vocational courses
• HACLA established the Cradle to College Initiative as part of its' Strategic Plan. HACLA has committed to work with the Mayor, LAUSD and other local educational institutions to enhance educational opportunities for families
• Increased Safety & Security by establishing a regional GRYD Zone with the addition of the LAPD Community safety Partnership (CSP) and the installation of security cameras at Jordan Downs. There has been a dramatic drop in crime with youth engaged in prevention programs and job training through Los Angeles Conservation Corps.
• Strong Community Leadership & Engagement through the Jordan Downs Community Advisory Committee (JDCAC) which is the leading recommending body for the Jordan Downs redevelopment. Members represent the core leadership in Watts, with a wide representation from volunteer associations like the Watts Neighborhood Council, Watts Gang Taskforce, faith-based institutions, non-profit organizations, schools etc.  Members of JDCAC serve as ambassadors for the Jordan Downs redevelopment.
• Strong Re-branding of the Watts Community: HACLA has been at the forefront of building its media partnerships to re-brand the Watts community with the “Watts Is Worth It” slogan in response to an article that was published questioning the investment in Watts. A segment on ABC 7 highlighted the human capital efforts at Jordan Downs and shed a positive light on the redevelopment.
• Strong Community Collaborations for Watts Community Enhancements: There are several volunteer associations and community engagement groups that HACLA directly organized to participate in community outreach which also play a huge part in ensuring transparency in our redevelopment efforts such as the Motivated Mothers, Youth Action Squad, Block Captains and Project Fatherhood etc. Jordan High School: the Mayor’s partnership for LA Schools and Green Dot, Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary, Markham Middle School, St, Lawrence and Verbum Dei High School to name a few.
• See Jordan Downs in the news: http://sowkweb.usc.edu/news/msw-students-take-community-research-project.

SHIELDS for Families, Inc. Kick Off Event on March 24, 2012!

Please join us as we celebrate SHIELDS for Families, Inc. as they kick off their role in the Jordan Downs community! On Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 10am until 4pm More...

Security Cameras at Jordan Downs

The Housing Authority partners with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to provide additional security cameras at Jordan Downs. By early next year, 18 new cameras are expected to be operating in the community.  The focus is to increase safety for residents. More..

Watts, Jordan Downs Redevelopment Featured on ABC 7: October 2, 2011

ABC 7 has been a great partner in promoting the amazing work and community leaders in Watts.  ABC 7 News was airing a 30 minute special on Watts Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 11:30am. The show presented the positive efforts in the Watts community thus demonstrating that “Watts is worth it.”  Many of our initiatives at Jordan Downs were included in the program, specifically Motivated Mothers, Project Fatherhood, Digital Destinations, and Digital Connectors.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.  It is wonderful that ABC 7 recognizes the strengths and special people in Watts.

JD Redevelopment - WATTS Housing Projects Offer affordable homes

John King II, Director of Planning and Policy of Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles was interviewed by Marc Brown from ABC 7 to talk about the redevelopment plan in Jordan Downs housing projects. More... 

JD Redevelopment - Motivated Mothers inspires Watts moms

The Jordan Downs Housing Project's 'Families First initiative' spearheads the Motivated Mothers program

Watts is changing with the helps of a women group, Motivated Mothers, introduced by John King, Director of Planning and Policy and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. More...

JD Redevelopment - Project Fatherhood inspires Watts dads

(One of the Jordan Downs Housing Project's 'Families First initiative, Project Fatherhood, helps many Watts fathers are committed to improving the lives of their families.)

A group of fathers in Watts, Project Fatherhood, are committed to making things better for their family. The Project Fatherhood of Jordan Downs is a group of fathers gather weekly to discuss on the issue of absentee fathers and to get guidance for affected parenting or to be a better father for their families. More...

JD Redevelopment - Watts program offer computers, produce

Program likes “Computers for Families” is helping reshape the community.

Computers for Families is a program that distributes computers donated by corporations and then provides in home training to help bridge the digital devices in Jordan Downs housing projects. For many families living in housing projects, computer is a luxury thing and they can’t afford to buy and can’t afford to go without. This program will help them to have the computer skills and the resources to be more successful in the job market.

Project Fatherhood

Project Fatherhood, sponsored by Children’s Institute is a grant funded initiative which seeks to build stronger relationships between fathers and their children. Join us!

Day:  Wednesdays
Time: 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Place: Jordan Downs, Community Center, Social Hall

Check out a video of our Project Fatherhood sessions!

Father's Day 2011

HACLA’s non-profit affiliate, Kids Progress Inc., in conjunction with The Department of Housing and Urban Development hosted a Father’s Day Luncheon at the Jordan Downs Gym on Saturday, June 18, 2011 from 11am-2pm which was a huge success! With over 100 fathers in attendance from Jordan Downs
More...

Click here to view Father's Day 2011 pictures.

Mother's Day 2011

Thursday May12, 2011- Over 200 residents came out to the 2nd Annual Mother's Day Celebration to hear education and health information, as well as Jordan Downs redevelopment updates. Thanks to all of the mothers who attended and all of our partners who made this event a success. If you're interested in joining Motivated Mothers please call 213.252.1207

Click here to view Mother's Day 2011 pictures.

“9INE” Web-Show Premiere

On March 2, 2011 One Economy Corporation partnered with HACLA for the web-show premier and screening of “9ine”--A new dramatic series about teen pregnancy and the nine month journey between childhood and adulthood. After the movie screening, One Economy moderated a panel discussion with cast members and community partners. Thanks to One Economy for bringing “9ine” to Jordan Downs and we are looking forward to working with them in the future. More.

Motivated Mothers: Rethink Your Drink

On February 24, 2011 the Motivated Mothers of Jordan Downs got together for a healthy “Rethink Your Drink” session. The moms talked about what you decide to drink may not always be the healthiest option for you and the best way to know is by reading the bottle’s label listing all the ingredients. More...

Project Fatherhood

Kid’s Progress, Inc. ( HACLA’s non-profit) has partnered with The Children’s Institute the program is designed to offer counseling and build support services for fathers. The goal is to increase the involvement of fathers in the rearing of their children lives.

Project Fatherhood currently has 30 participants and since the Press Conference on February, 23rd we’ve had more fathers and their families participate in the program. More...

Kid Progress, Inc’s. The Big Launch!

On Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011 Kid's Progress, Inc. ( HACLA's non-profit organization) held their first friend-raiser at L.A. Live. JDCAC members, Block Captains, Motivated Mothers and JD Residents attended the launch. Shardonay Valentine and Evelyn Martinez read poems on the New Jordan Downs. Representatives from LA’s political, media and business community met HACLA staff to commit their support to create partnerships to improve the quality of life for residents of Jordan Downs. Special thanks to all of our guest and new friends. More...

Motivated Mothers Healthy Cooking Class

December 30, 2010 - Motivated Mothers are looking to start the New Year right! The recent session was about healthy cooking led by Ms. Ebone Fuller from a Network for a Healthy California in the Los Angeles Region. This initiative is supported by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. More...

Battle of the DJ's: A Redevelopment Event for Youth

The Youth Action Squad held their first event: Battle of the DJ’s  Thursday December, 16th. It was attended by over 100 residents and community members. Teens and children came to hear about the latest on the Redevelopment. Teens performed raps and poems based on the New Jordan Downs and the DJ’s had a battle on the turn tables showing their talent.  More...

Watts-Willowbrook Christmas Parade

The Jordan Downs Community Advisory Committee (JDCAC), Block Captains, Motivated Mothers and residents from Jordan Downs participated in the 45th Annual Watts-Willowbrook Christmas Parade on December 4, 2010. More... 

Motivated Mothers Financial Planning Session

The Motivated Mothers of Jordan Downs had a session on November 30th focused on financial planning. The mothers considered examples where establishing budgets and saving and checking accounts helped them during emergencies or even when wanting to do an expensive family activity. This session also helped the moms learn more about the benefits of online banking. Leading the financial presentation was Karla Greene from State Farm. More...

Turkey Giveaway

November 19, 2010– HACLA provided 250 turkeys to Jordan Downs families. We shared Redevelopment information with the residents and raffled prizes! Many of the families also received Watts Is Worth It T-Shirts and coffee mugs! More...

Motivated Mothers of Jordan Downs: Planning Session

On June 23, 2010 twenty-eight mothers and grandmothers of Jordan Downs gathered together at the Strive Community Center in Los Angeles, to create a foundation for the Motivated Mothers of Jordan Downs. The new Motivated Mothers of Jordan Downs created a vision for themselves as a group and tangible goals for their future. More...

Jordan Downs Resource Fair

The Jordan Downs community gathered on June 22, 2010 at the Community Center for the Jordan Downs Family Resource Fair. Over 50 vendors participated, bringing health, career, educational opportunities and entertainment. More...