Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, along with leaders from the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, recently led a city-wide day of service, Shine LA, drawing in over a thousand local volunteers. The Shine LA initiative, part of Bass’s vision to spruce up the city before upcoming global events, took place across 10 different locations, said to showcase the city’s unity and civic engagement. Among the neighborhoods targeted for the day’s community efforts were those with significant AANHPI populations, including Koreatown and San Pedro.
During this event, volunteers were busy with a mix of neighborhood cleanups, graffiti removal, resource fairs, and tree planting. According to a statement obtained by the mayor’s office, Bass emphasized the sentiment that Los Angeles “shine brightest when we come together.” Furthermore, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, who was part of the effort, noted the importance of shared responsibility in community care, with a special nod to the volunteers expressing their love for Los Angeles.
Throughout the day, Mayor Bass and other councilmembers joined forces at various locations. Bass started the day at Trinity Central Lutheran Church in Koreatown, aiding the Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC) in graffiti removal. Other sites, such as the Alpine Recreation Center in Chinatown and the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Rec Center, experienced similar cleanup activities, aimed at celebrating and honoring AANHPI heritage and improving the city’s appearance…