ABOUT WATTS
Our school is located in the community of Watts. The community is well known for violence and poverty. However, that is not what defines Watts or the students going to our school. Within Watts and within our school, there are powerful young people who are ready and willing to challenge the many layers of structural oppression they experience. This community has a history of challenging inequality. It has a history of rebuilding itself. It has a history of cultivating strong, empathic people that want to create a Watts that is no longer known for violence and poverty, but for resistance and agency.
However, there is work to be done. Watts has one of the highest levels of poverty in Los Angeles. Single mothers, who struggle to provide for their families, head the majority of households. Thus, it is the women who more directly feel the effects of poverty in Watts. Relatedly, there is a high teenage pregnancy rate that greatly impacts the educational and economic opportunities for our young women. Furthermore, Watts exhibits violence that students must be able to navigate when they are not in school. All of these challenges weigh on the students.
The Social Justice Student Organization is committed to addressing the issues in out community as well as uplifting what we love about out community. Our group consists of Simon Tech high school students off all grades.
However, there is work to be done. Watts has one of the highest levels of poverty in Los Angeles. Single mothers, who struggle to provide for their families, head the majority of households. Thus, it is the women who more directly feel the effects of poverty in Watts. Relatedly, there is a high teenage pregnancy rate that greatly impacts the educational and economic opportunities for our young women. Furthermore, Watts exhibits violence that students must be able to navigate when they are not in school. All of these challenges weigh on the students.
The Social Justice Student Organization is committed to addressing the issues in out community as well as uplifting what we love about out community. Our group consists of Simon Tech high school students off all grades.
Girls Build LA
SJS has participated in Girls Build La for the last three years. Girls Build LA is a three-year program designed to reach girls in the LA County public schools. Through the Girls Build LA Challenge, LA area middle and high school girls are designing and implementing community-based solutions that can effect widespread change. Girls Build LA empowers these students to identify the challenges they face and provides them with resources and support to address them.
Our first year we addressed violence towards women. Our second year we organized Know Your Rights clinics regarding immigration. This year we supported the efforts to legalize street vendors.
Our first year we addressed violence towards women. Our second year we organized Know Your Rights clinics regarding immigration. This year we supported the efforts to legalize street vendors.
Social Justice Student Organization and Girls Build La Team Leads
|
|
|
|
