Watts Labor Community Action Committee

Organization Description

The Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) is a non-profit, community-based, human social services organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for South Central Los Angeles residents.

 

The Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) has been working with people in Watts to improve the quality of life since 1965. We hold the hands of people in need by providing a place to sleep, food to eat, money to earn and love to grow. Over the last 45 years, we have grown to hold more than 30,000 hands per year through the tireless commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers.

WLCAC led and won the community fight to build King Medical Center, Watts’ first credit union as well as its first major bank. WLCAC also spearheaded the launching of the first transportation, homeownership, and employment programs in the Watts Community.

And we are not resting on our laurels. The WLCAC continues to breathe new life into the community by:

  • Building McCoy Villa, Watts' first and only state of the art major housing complex for homeless families
  • Cultivating South Los Angeles' first farm (Mudtown Farms), an urban agriculture initiative that will bring cutting edge economic and environmental sustainability to Watts
  • Adding to the only museum with a permanent civil rights exhibition in South Los Angeles
  • Creating Watts' first public policy institute, dedicated to the study, planning and development of the Central Avenue Corridor and the surrounding area.

 

WLCAC is growing as a cultural institution and is also leading a much needed discussion on the concept of new local industry initiatives as potential solutions to long-term poverty and neglect.

WLCAC has stood the test of time and is firmly rooted in making life better in Watts, one person at a time.

 

Program Information

Based on the students' specialized skillsets, hobbies, and passions, students will be assigned projects that align with their interests. Here are areas that the WLCAC can use assistance in:
Arts & Culture
Storytelling
Farming
Mentoring
Senior Citizen Services
Youth Activities
Restoration Projects
Food Distribution
Event Production
Program Assistance
Landscaping
Homeless Services
Administrative Support
Tourism
Research

Health & Safety
Additional requirements and/or considerations
  • Background Check (e.g. fingerprinting/livescan, driving record)
  • Computer Literacy
  • Driver's License
  • First Aid Certification
  • Health Check/Screening (e.g. temperature screening, COVID-19 test)
  • Must be 18 or older
  • RISK: Students may be working with behaviorally challenged populations.
  • RISK: Students may be working with individuals who have a known criminal background or history of violent behavior.
  • SAFETY: Students are NOT PERMITTED to take photos or video while on site.
  • SAFETY: This placement requires working with hazardous materials, heavy equipment, construction equipment, heights, or heavy machinery.
  • SUPERVISION: Students will be supervised less than 50% of the time or the supervisor will be responsible for overseeing more than 8 people.
Address 
10950 S. Central Ave.
Watts, CA 90059
United States
General Phone 
(323) 563-5639
Website:
http://wlcac.org
Student Contact 
Name
Megan Wong
Job Title
Volunteer and Intern Coordinator
Phone
(323) 563-5639
Email
mwong@wlcac.org
Program(s) 
Internship
Service Learning
Volunteers
Organization type 
Charity Organization/Foundation (Nonprofit)
Focus Population(s)
Children/Youth, College Students, Teens/Young Adults
Focus Area(s)
Civic Engagement, Education, Equitable Economic & Workforce Development, Natural Resources, the Environment, and Ecosystems
Additional Focus Area(s)
Activism, Recreation
Hours of operation 

WLCAC operates from 9:00AM - 5:00PM Monday through Friday. We are closed on the weekends except when there is an event that weekend.

Minimum required hours 
20
Maximum students 
50