Watts Rising striving to improve the lives of residents (Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles)

Date Published: 
May 4th, 2022

From Spectrum News 1:

Moses Massenburg can be found every day on the farm where he grows produce and teaches people how to farm.

“Typically, farmers like to beat the heat so I get here at 4 a.m.,” he said.

Massenberg lives in Watts and grows produce in MudTown Farms, a 2.5-acre urban agricultural park in the heart of the Watts. The produce grown at the location is distributed to the Watts’ community.

“For example, these collard greens we would harvest like this in a bunch. Then I would take them to the Watts senior center. If Tree People has an event, which is one of our partners with Watts Rising, I would take them to their event. These would be handed out in addition to the free trees they give out,” he said.

It is just one organization under Watts Rising, a collaboration of residents, of over 40-organizations and city agencies that strive to improve the quality of life in Watts.

Ivory Rose Parnell Chambeshi is the director of neighborhood initiatives for the Watts Rising collaborative, which is co-led by Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office and the housing authority of the City of Los Angeles.

It is an organization trying to address the harmful effects of environmental pollution and the legacy of discriminatory and racist land use public policy that has led to health issues for Watts residents. 

“These health outcomes are connected in part to high rates of greenhouse gas emissions in the community,” said Chambeshi.

Which is why Watts Rising was one recipient of a $33.25 million grant from the California Strategic Growth Council.

The transformative climate community program focuses on community groups that are working to improve the economic, environmental and public health of their community.

Read Sprectrum News 1's article "Watts Rising striving to improve the lives of residents," featuring the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles.

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