Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) is back in South Los Angeles delivering back-to-back grants for her community totaling $1,000,000, which was presented to 2nd Call and The Experience Christian Ministries (ECM) on August 30.
These two organizations are dedicated to addressing community violence in South L.A. through innovative intervention programs. The grants are part of a larger effort by Kamlager-Dove, who successfully secured $12.4 million in FY24 community project funding for 15 organizations.
The presentations followed a roundtable discussion that included leadership and program participants from 2nd Call and ECM, local faith leaders, and representatives from the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ). The focus of the discussion was to identify gaps in collaboration with the CA DOJ and explore ways to advocate for additional federal resources and policies.
“Keeping Angelenos safe is a top priority of mine in Congress, and supporting the efforts of community partners who do the groundwork to uplift our at-risk youth and community members is central to that goal,” the congresswoman said.
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“Throughout my career, I have been proud to work with incredible organizations like 2nd Call and ECM that provide healing and violence interruption services to promote safety in our neighborhoods. Both organizations are truly deserving of this funding, and I look forward to seeing how they will use these investments to continue changing lives in California’s 37th District.”
The Rev. Anthony “Shep” Crawford, pastor of Experience Christian Ministries in the Florence-Firestone area and executive director of ECM Community Development Corporation, expressed his gratitude, stating, “This critical funding allows us to leverage the influence and strength of the African-American church to bring healing, reconciliation, and peace to our community. We are grateful to Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove for her continued investment in South L.A. and in Black churches that have served this community for decades.”
“The funding given from U.S. Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove to 2nd Call will help to ensure the legacy of peace that 2nd Call has been facilitating in each of the communities that have engaged with our healing efforts,” said Skipp Townsend, co-founder, CEO and executive director of 2nd Call, emphasizing the impact of the grant.
“The Community Healing Collaborative is about bringing nonprofit, public, and faith-based organizations together to address generational trauma in South LA,” said Jessica Ellis, executive director of Centinela Youth Services, highlighting collaboration.
“We believe our collaborative represents a fresh multidisciplinary approach to healing, community-building, and—above all else—community-based public safety.”
The Rev. Joe Paul, lead of Promise Enterprises LLC, also praised the congresswoman’s continued commitment to the community, adding, “Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove continues to be a champion for the South LA community. Her investment in community healing will yield dividends for generations to come. We are deeply appreciative of her advocacy for her district and her willingness to invest in this innovative approach to community-led and community-driven public safety.”
ECM’s initiative seeks to address gang and community violence by training faith leaders and former gang members in violence interruption. Neighborhood churches will be transformed into safety and service hubs for the communities in CA-37, hosting healing sessions for those affected by violence—both victims and perpetrators. The model is grounded in evidence-based practices that empower community members to take an active role in interrupting violence in their neighborhoods.
2nd Call’s Youth Empowerment and Development Project aims to increase and sustain trauma-informed, developmentally sensitive, and culturally relevant services for violence reduction, focusing on youth in the 37th District impacted by poverty, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other traumas.
The initiative will build an organizational infrastructure and safe haven for high-risk populations in Los Angeles, providing opportunities for them to address everyday trauma, receive mentoring, and learn to become advocates within their communities.
