Author Archives: Helen Jeong

By Helen Jeong (Credit: Farmersfield.com) When the Anschutz Entertainment Group wished to improve the infrastructure and facilities near the aging Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2005, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa made it known that he supported the five-year plan. He wore … Continue reading →

By Helen Jeong When Laura Herrera graduated from college two years ago, finding a job was harder than expected. Soon after, she lost her student health insurance.  She was out of money and out of health insurance. “I had no … Continue reading →

By Helen Jeong Edna Corona is a busy mother of three. While attending to the needs of her family, she is also closely involved in parents’ groups at Toland Way Elementary School in Eagle Rock. Despite her busy schedule, she … Continue reading →

Kusema Thomas has worked for Community Coalition in South Los Angeles as a community organizer for three years.  He spends a lot of time in neighborhoods where drug use and prostitution are, he says, as common as “people eating dinner.”  … Continue reading →

Kelvy Echerria is a 10th grader at Los Angeles High School.  He moved to the United States from Guatemala two years ago. Like many students who are new to the country, he is in a specialized program called the English … Continue reading →

Mina Lee is a first grader at Cahuenga Elementary School.  When I first met Mina on October 16, she was one of a few dozen first graders who performed for celebrities like Sen. Barbara Boxer and Gustavo Dudamel, the music director of the LA Philharmonic.

I later learned Mina has been playing the violin for about 3 months.  What makes her story more remarkable is that, until 3 months ago, her parents never considered the possibility of providing costly music lessons and instruments to their daughters.

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Many of the buildings on Central Avenue in Watts look gray, old or even abandoned.  In this urban setting, Verbum Dei High School definitely stands out with its yellow walls and royal blue gates.