Traci Park failed to save the Westside's only FamilySource Center

In a move that has left many Westside residents reeling, Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park allowed the closure of the only FamilySource Center (FSC) in the area, a vital resource for low-income families and individuals seeking support. FamilySource Centers are a cornerstone of community services in Los Angeles, offering free programs and resources designed to help families achieve financial stability, academic success, and personal growth. The loss of this center is not just a bureaucratic misstep—it’s a failure of leadership that will have long-lasting consequences for the Westside’s most vulnerable residents.

What Are FamilySource Centers?

FamilySource Centers are one-stop hubs that provide a wide range of free services to help families thrive. With 19 locations across the City of Los Angeles, these centers offer everything from financial literacy coaching and income tax preparation to ESL classes, parenting workshops, and immigration assistance. They are designed to empower families by connecting them to resources that increase income, build financial security, and support educational achievement. For many, these centers are a lifeline in a city where the cost of living continues to rise and economic disparities grow.

A Preventable Loss

The Westside’s FamilySource Center was funded in part by a $1 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). However, Councilmember Traci Park’s office was warned eight months in advance that the funding was in jeopardy. Despite this clear warning, Park failed to take action to secure the grant or identify alternative funding sources. As a result, the Westside lost its only FamilySource Center, along with other critical anti-poverty programs supported by the grant.

This failure is particularly egregious given the Westside’s growing economic stratification. While the area is often associated with affluence, it is also home to many low-income families and individuals who rely on services like those provided by the FamilySource Center. By allowing the center to close, Park has further marginalized these communities, cutting off access to essential resources that help bridge the gap between poverty and opportunity.

A Lack of Support for Constituents

When community members and advocates reached out to Councilmember Park’s office for help, they were met with silence and inaction. Instead of fighting to preserve this vital resource, Park’s office failed to engage with stakeholders, explore solutions, or advocate for the funding needed to keep the center open. This lack of responsiveness is a stark reminder of how disconnected Park is from the needs of her constituents.

The Broader Impact

The loss of the FamilySource Center exacerbates existing inequalities on the Westside, where the divide between the wealthy and the working class continues to grow. Without access to the center’s services, many families will struggle to navigate the challenges of poverty, unemployment, and educational barriers. This closure also sends a troubling message about the priorities of local leadership. By failing to protect this critical resource, Councilmember Park has demonstrated a lack of commitment to addressing the needs of her most vulnerable constituents.

A Call for Accountability

The closure of the Westside’s only FamilySource Center is a failure of leadership that cannot be ignored. Councilmember Traci Park had ample opportunity to take action and prevent this loss, yet she chose to do nothing. Her inaction has left a gaping hole in the community, depriving families of the support they need to thrive.

As the Westside continues to grapple with economic disparities, it is imperative that elected officials prioritize the needs of all residents, not just the privileged few. The loss of the FamilySource Center is a stark reminder of what happens when leaders fail to act. It is time for Councilmember Park to be held accountable for her failure to protect this vital resource and to take immediate steps to address the needs of the community she was elected to serve.

The Westside deserves better. It deserves leaders who will fight for the resources and services that make a difference in people’s lives. The closure of the FamilySource Center is a tragedy, but it can also serve as a wake-up call for the community to demand more from its elected officials. The time for action is now—before more families are left behind.