Increase Capacity to Address Pandemic-Related Hate
The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations (LACCHR) has documented substantial multi-year increases in hate activity during and following the pandemic, resulting in negative economic impact on multiple historically vulnerable communities that were targeted with bullying and violence. With ARP funds, LACCHR has built capacity and developed resources to provide:
- Culturally and linguistically relevant case management services for Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander community members who have been targeted by acts of hate;
- On-campus Dream Resource Centers at schools with high rates of pandemic-related needs; and
- Countywide training for law enforcement on interactions with survivors of hate.
Through these efforts, 1,175 people received referrals to case management services. Examples of services provided include victim/witness assistance, specialized legal assistance, and support groups.
The project also led to improved reporting of, and responses to, hate acts in LA County by at least 70% due to technical, promotional, and networking advances.
More than 60,000 students also visited the Dream Resource Centers as part of the ARP-funded project; 13,300 students engaged in leadership skill development opportunities and 1,259 students
participated in restorative justice and peer mediation training.
Last, over 3,200 law enforcement personnel were trained during the ARPA-funded period of this project.
Personal Testimonial: Cyro Ruiz, Junior at Norwalk High School
“The Dream Resource Center provides a lot of resources and…a sense of community that nowhere else on campus really does and no school that I’ve been to has before. I think that [the Center is] very centered on the needs of the students in the community. [It] opens up more space for tolerance. Like, there’s no tolerance for…bullying or discrimination…in the Centers. People are more tolerant of other people’s identities at the Center, and I feel that people are…more united. It just is like a big nice mixing pot for everyone.”