Hello LA Idealists!

I wanted to take this opportunity to share exciting news with you all about the work I've been doing in my new role with the Children's Planning Council - Service Planning Area 5 West LA Region. Many of you have already seen the job posting for a community organizer & internship opportunity so you know that there is work to be done and not enough hands to do it.

To give you a brief background, the Los Angeles County Children's Planning Council is a countywide public/private collaborative dedicated to improving the lives of children and families by encouraging partnerships, promoting the use of data, developing resources and tools, and emphasizing the importance of outcomes and results. Our goal is to build stronger and more effective systems that serve families and children, build linkages between government and community, and improve planning efforts so that we increase the probability of successful actions that enhance child and family well-being throughout Los Angeles.

CPC's immediate mission is to focus on relation-ship based organizing using the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) model developed by John Mc Knight of Northwestern University. The major task that I, along with the other SPA/AICC wide organizers have is to help start or develop resident based groups that will eventually create lasting positive social impact and change to the lives of children and families within LA county.

So here's where you can help... I need to find people who care and are willing to be a part of this movement that live, work or go to school in the SPA 5 West LA region. Not sure what SPA you fall under? Well you can find out by visiting our website at: http://www.childrensplanningcouncil.org/

On the bottom left hand corner, you can type in zip code and see where your SPA is located. This is a county-wide initiative so you can get involved by contacting your local CPC SPA/AICC office. I started the LA Idealist Network for this very purpose, to find Action Oriented Individuals who not only want to imagine a better world, but to connect with other like minded individuals to turn that vision into a reality!

Now is the opportunity to do so! I invite you to take the initiative, much like we all did over the last year and a half and start now to make a difference! Please contact me if you are interested. I can't wait to see what happens!

Sincerely,


Karen Diaz Chien, MSW
SPA 5 Council Coordinator
Children's Planning Council
Tel (310) 309-6000 x 215
Email: kchien@cpc-spa5.org