They also wanted to encourage and facilitate collaboration between residents, medical and social service providers, and school representatives. An underlying belief of this vision is that lasting change must be embraced at the neighborhood level and proceed upward to include broader parts of society. The people who have been and still are the guiding force of this vision are the members of the Barrio Logan Community Core Group. The group received community leadership and empowerment training to be an effective voice in Barrio Logan. Currently, more than 60 residents participate in the core group.
Education is key to improved communication.
Here, Maria Marquez leads an education session for adults. If you talk with someone who has lived in Barrio Logan for a long time, they are likely to say that their neighborhood used to be safe, stable and united. Now, they might say that it is divided and has a high crime rate. While the challenges for the community have become more difficult over the last 30 years, Barrio Logan residents take pride in their history of coming together to support a common cause. Chicano Park, a symbol of community activism over the years, has come to most clearly represent the residents of Barrio Logan.