Protecting Our Cities With Community Interventions: “Stop the Hate”
In a world where hate crimes and social injustices are presently plaguing our communities, grassroots organizations like Community Interventions (CI) are stepping up to make a difference. Based in Bakersfield, CI is leading the charge with their powerful “Stop The Hate” campaign, designed to engage and protect the most vulnerable among us— youth living in underrepresented and divested neighborhoods who are particularly susceptible to hate crimes.
Jason Land Jr. | Contributing Writer
In a world where hate crimes and social injustices are presently plaguing our communities, grassroots organizations like Community Interventions (CI) are stepping up to make a difference. Based in Bakersfield, CI is leading the charge with their powerful “Stop The Hate” campaign, designed to engage and protect the most vulnerable among us— youth living in underrepresented and divested neighborhoods who are particularly susceptible to hate crimes.
Community Interventions was founded with a clear vision: to inspire, empower, and uplift communities often overlooked by society. CI is deeply committed to addressing issues of social justice, namely mass incarceration, health disparities, racial and economic inequities, and education and housing challenges. Underpinning this approach is the realization that seeking solutions to such complex problems requires multiple viewpoints and, above all, the courage to take bold risks.
The “Stop The Hate” campaign is a natural extension of the CI mission, striving to build, nurture, and make possible equity for marginalized and vulnerable populations residing in California’s Central Valley. This initiative is not only about working with people who have been the victims of a hate crime; it is about building a community filled with people and making them feel safe, particularly the young children who are the future of these communities.
At the heart of the “Stop The Hate” campaign is the involvement of youth from some of the most divested neighborhoods in Bakersfield. Youth who are arguably among the most vulnerable are being asked to take an active role in bringing change to the struggle against hate. CI runs youth gatherings where participants share their lived experiences about hate, stay up-to-date on current events, and engage in healing activities.
A critical aspect is educating the youth on what a hate crime is, how to identify one, and— importantly— how to report it. Through increased awareness and the provisioning of a safe space for dialogue, CI is working toward shifting the narrative in reporting hate crimes. Youth are empowered to tell their truth and be encouraged to take an integral role in shaping the future of their communities.
One of the hardest tasks for this “Stop The Hate” campaign is changing the mindset of reporting hate crimes. Most of those involved among these youths have come from neighborhoods that have been raked by disinvestment, digital divide, and much more. Against all these challenges, CI is committed to creating a safe space where youth feel free to openly talk, heal, and simply be themselves.
Community Interventions’ efforts are not without reward. Under their youth leadership development program, they have a strong base of young people wishing to improve the quality of life for themselves and their various communities. Youth and their parents or caregivers are accepting the program very positively. Youth say they feel safe, encouraged, and valued— a direct testimony of effectiveness in the approach of CI.
Community Interventions has ambitious plans for the future. They will continue to build a relationship with the Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service office (DOJ Care) and continue encouraging youth to report hate incidents they witness, hear, or are victims of. CI also looks to increase the number of safe spaces they have throughout Bakersfield so every divested neighborhood will have a communal space for youth to meet, heal, and grow.
Upcoming projects include the Heritage Skate Park art project with design concepts currently under review, and an anticipated start date of mid-September 2024. Another project in planning stages is an art gallery for Winter 2025, which will show the creativity and resiliency of the youth involved in the programming at CI.
Community Interventions is a grassroots organization that relies heavily on support from volunteers and the wider community. CI is proud of what they have accomplished, however aware they cannot do this work alone. They invite you to join their cause— whether by volunteering, donating, or simply staying informed through their social media channels.
“Community Interventions is a very ambitious grassroots community based organization going five years strong! We are Black and woman led, and are proud to be! We can not do it alone,” said Ucedrah Osby, Community Interventions Executive Director.
Want to get involved? Check out their website at www.communityinter.org for more details.
Community Interventions is working not only to stand against hate but to build a future where every young person, whatever their background, can feel safe, valued, and empowered to make a difference.
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
