“Sometimes at the end of the day, it's about survival. And survival comes with using what you know to make do with your daily expenses…”

One thing that has totally caught me off guard was how much I can relate with the residents I work with! For example, when I do after-school programming with the kids at Hollywood Palms, I often see myself in them.

At the age of one, Tran and her family migrated from Vietnam to City Heights. After graduating, Tran ditched her pursuit of a career in real estate, instead committing her efforts to protect City Height’s essence - its people.

Tran shares how growing up in City Heights framed her perspective of a successful and meaningful career.

Fern Street Circus is about performance and fun, but it’s also circus for social change, working alongside young people in the community to instill confidence, promote cultural understanding, and help youth realize their potential.

In commemoration of the holiday, Tierra Central hosted its first Mid-Autumn Moon celebration, a traditional celebration amongst Asian cultures honoring the moon for its harvest-giving light.

“I’ve seen people start businesses, and at first it’s cool and fun, but eventually the work and grind of it can leave you questioning…”

Join our film screening this Friday and get the opportunity to learn about grassroots-led transportation justice work in City Heights!

Almost everyday, you will find Nancy selling flowers. She owns and runs Mi Pequeña Lucia. More than a year ago, Mi Pequeña Lucia was nonexistent and Nancy was unemployed…

“The imbalance of power between landlords and tenants, which is created by weak tenant protections, places the tenants in a vulnerable position that is further amplified when the tenant has language, financial, or other barriers.”

As one of our most veteran staff members, Maria has spent decades working and waiting for promises to be kept. She was part of some of the earliest advocacy work dating back to The Visions Project.

It is a privilege to address you as ‘community’ and to be able to truly mean it. During my years working here, I have fallen more and more in love with City Heights and her people, places, and incredible beauty and resilience.

“Being part of this community has made me realize that, even though we are different from one another, we still come together as one.”

The Mid Autumn Festival is Sept 17 at Tierra Central and we'd LOVE to celebrate with you! There will be food trucks and carts, live music, and plenty to enjoy for the whole family.

This letter was originally sent to our staff, but we’re modifying it as an ‘open letter’ to you, our friends, partners, and neighbors in City Heights.

"Running has always been important to me, but what I came to realize after coaching for City Heights Runners is that running is more than just about getting faster, it’s about becoming a more resilient and strong person.”

The Second City Heights Listening Session will be held virtually via Zoom and take place Thursday August 18th, 2022 from 5:00PM to 6:30PM. The first 40 participants who RSVP and participate throughout the session will have a $25 gift card mailed to compensate for their time and valuable input.

“My family and I were evicted just a few years after we moved to the United States. I was around 8 years old, maybe younger, and it was traumatic. You don't forget those things…”

City Heights is made up of resilient warriors. Signs of persistent hope are around every corner: the immigrant parents working to provide for their kids; the first-generation college student battling self-doubt and obscurity; the business owner believing in their business prospects.

According to Vision to Learn, more than 2 million children in the U.S. do not have the glasses they need to see the board, read a book, or participate in class and they're working to meet that need.

“I have the privilege of accompanying students in a high challenge, yet high support context, and to watch them become more resilient, self-confident, empathetic, and gain greater social and emotional capacity…"