PICO-UNION : Center Offers Help to Quake Victims

A year and a half after the devastating Northridge earthquake, many low-income victims are still feeling their own personal aftershocks, economic and otherwise.

With this in mind, the city’s Community Development Department recently opened the Pico-Union Earthquake Recovery Community Service Center, one of six centers opened by the department to help quake victims with long-term problems.

Department officials say the center is a one-stop place where victims who still need to find permanent housing, have had trouble finding new work, are still suffering from mental trauma or have any other social-service needs can come for referrals, job training and counseling.

“When you have a disaster, at first the community pulls together, but later you have a lot of disillusionment,” said Gloria Clark, director of the department’s Human Services and Neighborhood Development Division.

“Now people are in that disillusionment phase. Some are still waiting for loans, while others haven’t been approved. Others still need to find jobs. We’ll work to make sure they have all the necessary things to get their lives back together.”

One problem many low-income victims displaced from their homes are encountering is that emergency housing vouchers they received after the quake are expiring. At the center, they will receive placement assistance for housing they can afford.

Those who lost their businesses or were put out of work and have been unable to find another steady source of income will receive employment referrals and job training, and also receive advice on getting loans and developing a money-management plan.

Counselors will assist and give referrals to those in need of help for long-term mental trauma.

Centers have already opened in East Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Hollywood, Pacoima and Canoga Park. Two more are scheduled to open: one in South-Central and another in Northridge.

The Pico-Union earthquake recovery center is at 2500 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1224.

Information: (213) 485-8946.