Best Start Watts-Willowbrook will host its Our Families are Powered by Watts Resource Fair and Community Walk Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ted Watkins Park, 1335 E. 103rd St., Los Angeles.
The event will promote physical activity and link families to resources within the community that help improve the lives of children ages 0-5.
The Community Walk kicks off at Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC), 10950 S. Central Ave., with a tour of WLCAC and an exercise session. From there, community members will walk to Ted Watkins Park for the resource fair. Along the nearly one-mile walk, participants will be introduced to resources such as the Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center, the Department of Social Services and the Watts Health Center.
“Connecting residents to resources is important,” said Reginald Johnson, Watts-Willowbrook resident and member of the Best Start Watts-Willowbrook Leadership Group and Partnership. “The members of the Best Start Watts-Willowbrook Partnership are excited that we’re able to highlight these fantastic resources within the our community because many of them are within walking distance of each other.”
Throughout the day attendees will have access to resource booths stationed at Ted Watkins Park, as well as fresh produce for purchase provided by the Watts Farmers Market. Other activities include an interactive J.A.M. session from the L.A. County Arts Commission, a bike show presented by Eastside Riders Bike Club, and hula hoop lessons led by Hoop it Up.
Best Start Watts-Willowbrook, which is one of four partnerships in South Los Angeles, consists of community stakeholders, including parents and residents who are committed to working as partners to transform Watts into a place where young children can grow up safe, happy and healthy. The South Los Angeles Best Start communities also include Compton, East Compton, West Athens and Broadway Manchester.
The fair and walk is one of Best Start efforts to achieve its four goals: ensuring children are born healthy, maintain a healthy weight, are safe from abuse and neglect and are ready for kindergarten. Through these types of fun and engaging events, Best Start encourages parents to help improve the lives of their children and the future of their communities.
Best Start Watts-Willowbrook is always looking for community members to join the partnership. To learn more, visit www.beststartla.org/watts-willowbrook or contact Best Start Watts-Willowbrook Program Officer Luis Rivera at (213) 482-7526 or lrivera@first5la.org.
Best Start is an effort of First 5 LA, a child advocacy organization created by California voters to invest tobacco tax revenue in programs that improve the lives of children ages 0-5 in Los Angeles County.
