Community organizations effectively reduce structural barriers and positively impact, on an individual level, the participants on the frontlines of that change. We’ve participated in numerous studies that look at the impact of our organizing on creating systems change, improving the quality of life indicators and building movement leadership. Don’t take our word on it. Read the findings from the experts.
March 30, 2018
This report is designed to offer lessons from the activities, outcomes, and process of the TCE Gentrification/Displacement Communications Strategy Project in 2017. Our goal is to move the needle of popular support for anti-gentrification, anti-displacement efforts and solutions.
Leap & Associates
February 2018
This brief introduces three remarkable residents of Boyle Heights who were already on a path to make a significant difference in the community but, who upon encountering BHC, were able to have an even greater impact. They represent the many heroes in Boyle Heights fighting for a more equitable and healthy community for all.
Jorja Leap, PhD, Susana Bonis, M. Ed., PhD Candidate, Stephanie Benson, MSW, PhD Candidate, and Karrah Lompa, MSW, MNPL
July 2017
This brief presents the changes in both policy and practice that have occurred at Roosevelt High School since the initiation of Building Healthy Communities (BHC) in 2010.
Jung Hee Choi, Sr. Advisor, Narrative and Strategic Initiatives, Power California/Million Voters Project
Nikki Kalra, Director, ORS Impact
2024
In 2023, MVP and Power California launched an initiative to build the narrative infrastructure our movements need to advance our vision for CA’s multiracial democracy. In this first-of-its-kind research led by power-building practitioners, movement leaders share essential recommendations and priorities for boosting our ability to challenge dominant narratives that fuel inequality and advance new ones that center multiracial democracy, interdependence and fairness for all.
David C. Turner III, Ph.D, Police-Free LAUSD Coalition
2022
This report represents a community-led vision for transforming LAUSD's schools into culturally relevant, holistically supportive spaces where all youth can thrive. Specifically, the report demands that LAUSD dismantle all of its oppressive and white supremacist structures-including the Los Angeles School Police Department-and that the district train and invest in evidence-based practices that support, rather than criminalize, Black and Brown youth.
Veronica Terriquez, PhD and Gabriela Dominguez
February 2016
This report provides a brief overview of United Students’ youth membership and outlines some of the ways young people have been involved in and benefited from this group. It also provides insights for other programs and initiatives seeking to build the leadership capacity of low-income and diverse youth.
Irene Bloemraad, University of California, Berkeley
Veronica Terriquez, University of California, Santa Cruz
2016
This article draws on theory and research in sociology, political science and psychology, and illustrates the utility of a community-based organization (CBO) approach by examining participants in youth civic groups in 13 low-income, predominantly immigrant communities in California. The article demonstrates that CBOs can generate individual-level well-being effects, and reduce structural barriers to good health through changes in the broader environment.
John Rogers, University of California, Los Angeles
Veronica Terriquez, University of Southern California
2013
This report examines the impact of youth organizing on the life outcomes of alumni from youth programs, including United Students. The report finds that youth organizing alumni are more likely to enroll in four-year universities and be civically involved in early adulthood.
Veronica Terriquez, Raquel Armenta, John Rogers, and Miguel Carvente.
This research report demonstrates that members of Familias Unidas foster high levels of civic participation among the types of parents who typically encounter barriers to parental school engagement.