A Community Comes Together
One Community Action (OCA) evolved as a community response to a significant increase in gang violence deaths in 2015 and 2016, many of which were youth.
Members of the community started a dialogue about causes for the heartbreaking violence -- and solutions that would address the root issues. Meetings included parents, teens, young adults, community members from Santa Maria and Guadalupe, who through personal experience understood the culture of our community, the culture of the local gangs, and why our youth were choosing to became involved or affiliated. We came together as individuals who want to make a difference and help youth while accepting the reality of what families are experiencing day to day.
Members of the community started a dialogue about causes for the heartbreaking violence -- and solutions that would address the root issues. Meetings included parents, teens, young adults, community members from Santa Maria and Guadalupe, who through personal experience understood the culture of our community, the culture of the local gangs, and why our youth were choosing to became involved or affiliated. We came together as individuals who want to make a difference and help youth while accepting the reality of what families are experiencing day to day.