On July 14, leaders from St. Jude Shrine of the West Catholic Church, a member of PICO affiliate San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP), won a $12 million bond commitment to go towards community development projects in the Southcrest section of the city. In front of 150 community members, San Diego City Councilmember Ben Hueso and San Diego Unified School District Trustee Shelia Jackson also vowed to get the city and school district working together to create more opportunities for youth.

At the event, Fr. Emmett Farrell, pastor at St. Jude's, spoke about how difficult it was to preside over four different funeral masses for parish youth over a six month period last year, all of whom died as a result of street violence in the neighborhood around the church. The $12 million will go towards park and recreation center enhancements, streetscape improvements, and increased street lighting, all aimed at reducing the violence.

This victory was part of SDOP's "Year of our Youth" campaign to promote policies to make San Diego a better, safer place for youth. In March, SDOP organized a massive rally to kick off the campaign, bringing together 1,300 community members to meet with representatives from Congress, the county, the city of San Diego, social service agencies, labor organizations, and the business community.

For more information on San Diego Organizing Project, visit www.sdop.net

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