In a monthly celebration of Mayor Villaraigosa Million Trees LA Initiative, KYCC, along with three other tree planting organizations, planted more than 100 trees in East LA on January 27. Trees were planted around the Estrada Courts Housing project - a highly dense, economically challenged community. The trees will help clean the air, provide shade to children and pedestrians, increase property values, help retain water during rainy seasons, and provide many other benefits to the community. This event was planned by the City of Los Angeles and the four project partners of the Million Trees LA Program.  KYCC, the Los Angeles Conservation Corps., the Los Angeles/Hollywood Beautification Team, and North East Trees are leading the way to help carry out Mayor Villaraigosa’s goal of having 1 million trees distributed and planted across Los Angeles over the next couple years.

There are several ways that City of Los Angeles residents can participate. First, each property owner in the City of Los Angeles is eligible for up to 7 free shade trees to be planted on the owner’s property. The trees can be ordered online and they are delivered to your door by the Los Angeles Conservation Corps., free of charge. See www.ladwp.com/trees for more information.

Additionally, free street trees are also being offered to residents. Street trees are trees that are planted in between the sidewalk and the street. KYCC is canvassing every street in Council District 10 and planting 100-200 trees per month as part of this effort. If you’d like a free street tree planted adjacent to your property, go to www.milliontreesla.org and check which partner is serving your council district. Or call Brenda Ramos at KYCC’s Environmental Services Unit at 213-743-8750.

 

 

 

Let’s Salsa

 

In order to attract even more students to KYCC’s Drop-In Center at Los Angeles High School, the staff has hired Heidi Orellana, a former LA High student, to teach Salsa classes. The class, open to dancers of any level, not only helps bring in students, but also keeps current students interested in the Drop-In Center and its programs. Kimara Campos, a ninth grader and Drop-In Center student, remarked, “At first I thought Salsa would be kind of silly, but after going to practice, I really had a lot of fun and I’m glad I went.”

 

 

 

 

Dollars And Sense

 

 

Koreatown Youth and Community Center and Wells Fargo have collaborated to provide free after-school financial literacy classes, titled “Making Sense of Your Money,” at Los Angeles High School. The classes were aimed to promote sound money management and personal financial responsibility through lessons in budgeting, banking services, credit, and loans.

As an added feature, those who successfully completed the program received a free savings account and matched savings up of $50.00 compliments of KYCC and Wells Fargo. This exciting four week program commenced in January and had over 30 participants. Additional “Making Sense of Your Money” programs will be announced later this year. For more information, feel free to contact Audrey Casillas at KYCC, (213) 365-7400 ext. 235.