Immigrant Communities in Central Los Angeles
For
over 40 years, the P.F. Bresee Foundation has served the Central LA community responding to diverse needs
through a broad spectrum service delivery approach. Bresee was founded as a
small, nonprofit organization to address systemic socio-economic barriers and
uplift the local community.
The history of immigration in Los Angeles is
complex and intermingled with a history of unjust policies and untold stories. Today,
Los Angeles County is home to nearly 3.5 million immigrants, over a
third of the county’s total population according to the American Community Survey (ACS). Although Los Angeles is one of the most
diverse cities in the country, ethnic-rich communities are segregated and often
socially and economically isolated. Recently, Los Angeles declared itself a
sanctuary city - a symbolic gesture of supporting the immigrant population and
committing to protect their rights. Taking leadership on immigrant integration can make Los Angeles a model
for welcoming immigrants culturally, politically, and institutionally.
Immigrant Neighborhoods in Los Angeles
Recent
immigrants are more likely to settle in neighborhoods that resemble
a familiar culture or in areas where they know someone who can help them
navigate daily life. Recognizing the unique challenges that immigrant families
face, the Bresee Foundation helps battle poverty in Central Los
Angeles neighborhoods, which maintain some of the largest concentrations of
immigrant populations in the county, including Westlake, Koreatown, Pico Union,
Harvard Heights and Arlington Heights.
According to 2016 5-year ACS estimates, immigrants
make up 59% of the population in the area Bresee serves, and 70% of the immigrant population in that area does not have citizenship status (this
could include both those with green cards or visas and those who are
undocumented). Approximately 63% of the population identify as Latinx,
and 25% identify as Asian.
Westlake and Koreatown serve as hubs for recently arrived immigrants with little money or social networks. Ethnic businesses cater to diverse immigrants and multilingual signage lines the streets, both functioning as community assets. Yet, immigrant communities that grow in number but lack ongoing public investments often become economically and socially isolated.
According
to 2016 5-year ACS estimates, 64% of local
residents in Bresee’s community are surviving at or below 200 percent of the
federal poverty level, compared to 33% of people nationally.
Additionally, local public schools report lower student achievement in the A-G
courses required for admittance to California State colleges and universities. With limited opportunities for
upward mobility, immigrant communities become associated with higher rates of
poverty and underperforming schools.
Linguistic Isolation
According to the Census Bureau, Los
Angeles County households speak at least 185 languages, while LAUSD estimates that 93 languages are
spoken in local schools. In the neighborhoods that Bresee serves, 59% of
the population speaks Spanish, 16% speaks Korean and just over 4% speaks Tagalog. Amongst this wide array of languages spoken across households
in Bresee neighborhoods, there are varying levels of English proficiency.
Households are referred to as “linguistically isolated” (or "limited-English speaking") when no one over the
age of 14 speaks only English at home or speaks English “very well.” According
to 2016 ACS estimates, 60% of Spanish-speaking households and 73% of Korean-speaking households in Bresee neighborhoods are linguistically
isolated. Limited-English speaking households may experience difficulty
accessing important healthcare,
education, and social services if translation is not provided, and often rely
on the children in the household to serve as translators for parent conferences, doctor’s appointments, and other
important meetings outside of their immediate communities.
According to Bresee, approximately 25% of middle school students the organization serves in its after school
programming are formally classified English language learners. A student is considered "reclassified" when they pass a statewide test that deems them to be proficient in English. In 2018, the State of
California adopted a new test called the English Language Proficiency Assessments,
which elevates the importance of academic language skills in the
reclassification process. The stakes of reclassification are high - students
who reclassify are better prepared to pursue a college education. Research shows that children
learning English as a second language underperform in
math and reading compared to native-English speaking peers, depending on their
level of English proficiency.
Children
with non-English speaking parents experience a disadvantage in not having a
parent who can help with nightly English homework. The combination
of linguistic isolation, lack of knowledge about the new reclassification process,
and the necessity of English language proficiency for long-term opportunities
indicates the importance of public investment in both child and adult
education. This investment is essential to help integrate limited-English speaking households into the larger economy, both socially and economically.
Community-Based Impact
For
over 40 years, the Bresee Foundation has worked to address systemic barriers
that prevent immigrants in achieving socio-economic success and well-being.
Bresee has implemented a multifaceted approach towards English language
acquisition for both adults and youth in the local community. The FamilySourceCenter sponsors Adult ESL
classes - levels 1 and 2 - taught by Los Angeles City College instructors. The
English for Success program engages middle school aged
participants through culturally responsive programming and informational sessions
on the reclassification process. Youth are assigned a coach who provides customized English skill tutoring while also building their pride as bicultural
and bilingual individuals. Both programs are designed in such a way where youth
and parents feel cared for and respected.
“Los maestros siempre están al pendiente de las necesidades e inquietudes de los alumnos.”"The teachers are always aware of the students' needs and concerns."
- Parent of English for Success Participant
Bresee also empowers students to prepare for future careers through scholarships and
paid internships. As of 2016 ACS 5-year estimates, 38% of young adults in
the Bresee catchment area were enrolled in college compared to 53% of
young adults countywide. Despite this disparity, college enrollment in the
Bresee area has been on the rise, increasing just over 10% since 2010 estimates.
Bresee is working to continue this trend through its scholarship program, where
it provides college scholarships to high school seniors. Once in college,
Bresee continues to work with students to help them succeed academically. In
2017, Bresee granted over $80,000 in scholarships. As the academic
achievement rates in these communities rise through the work of organizations
like Bresee, so will the opportunities for many immigrant families to lead
healthy, fulfilling lives.
“Me gusta que les enseñen a los estudiantes a tener confianza de ellos mismos.”"I like that they teach the students to have confidence in themselves."
- Parent of English for Success Participant
Welcoming Future Immigrants
While Los Angeles is working to define its
policies as a recently declared sanctuary city, community-based organizations
have long been working with immigrant families. When Bresee took a direct
stance in battling poverty in 2018, it reinforced its holistic approach to
support families as they seek to fulfill their American dreams within the context of linguistic and economic isolation. Nearly 3,000 residents benefit from Bresee’s
services offered year-round. While these resources
help uplift youth and families, it will take a diverse coalition of partners
including civic leaders, non-profits, schools, corporations, and community
members to address the intersectional issues immigrants face on a daily basis.
For more research and resources on immigration, visit the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute, a special initiative of the USC Price Center for Social Innovation.
Sources
English Language Proficiency Assessment for California.
Han, Wen-Jui. "Bilingualism and Academic Achievement." Child Development. 2011.
Logan, John, et al. "Immigrant Enclaves and Ethnic Communities in New York and Los Angeles." American Sociological Review. 2002.
Los Angeles Regional Adult Education Consortium. "Los Angeles Unified School District." 2018.
Smith, Dakota. "Council committee approves 'sanctuary' label for L.A. and rules on border wall contractors." Los Angeles Times. 2017.
U.S. Census Bureau. "Census Bureau Reports at Least 350 Languages Spoken in U.S. Homes." 2015.
Photos 5 & 7: via Michael Weschler
Photos 6 & 8: via the Bresee Foundation