Central Los Angeles : ‘BRIDGING THE GAP’

More than 250 Latino and African American students from East and South Los Angeles are spending several days at Cal State L.A. discussing issues that divide and unite minority youths. “Bridging the Gap: Black and Brown Unity” is bringing together youths in the Los Angeles County juvenile court system and students from Locke, Jordan and Roosevelt high schools.

For three days ending Saturday, the youngsters are participating in exercises that include sharing memories of when they first realized they were Latino or African American and discovering what the two cultures have in common, said Sandy Choe, spokeswoman for Building Up Los Angeles, the event’s sponsor.

Building Up Los Angeles, an Americorps national service program, is a conglomerate of community groups that provides direct services to children and families in the inner-city neighborhoods of Los Angeles.