Summer Night Lights: Mayor visits youth at Nickerson Gardens and Imperial Courts Public Housing communities

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s successful Anti-gang program, Summer Night Lights (SNL), is in full swing at 24 locations throughout the city including four public housing communities (Nickerson Gardens, Imperial Courts, Jordan Downs and Ramona Gardens) this summer.   This nationally recognized program is credited for reducing crime as much as by 17% in participating neighborhoods.
 
Despite recovering from elbow surgery, Mayor Villaraigosa visited Nickerson Gardens and Imperial Courts on August, 12.  He spent time with youth participating in various activities.  The mayor even stopped in and participated in one of the reading classes at Nickerson Gardens.  He also talked to children about bike safety and the importance of wearing a helmet. 

Summer Night Lights is a crucial part of our broader strategy to invest in another summer of hope for our youth and safety for our families,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “This is our chance to build on last summer's success and make this summer better than the last.”

SNL includes:

1. Extended Hours & Programming: From July 7th – September 4th, 24 sites will extend their hours until midnight, four nights a week (Wednesday – Saturday) and expand programming to include youth-centered recreational, educational and artistic activities to engage youth in positive activities during peak times for violence
 
 
2. Youth Squad: Youth Squad members have been hired to create and staff the extended hours and programs. Youth Squad members are at-risk youth (defined as potential victims or perpetrators of violence), ages 17-20, and will receive stipends for 10 weeks of summer employment.
 
3. Cease-Fire: Intervention Workers will help maintain cease-fires at the sites and in the surrounding community.
Last year the program served over 270,000 youth and families Citywide, and served 250,651 meals.
 

Mayor poses for photo with HACLA team.                           Mayor reading a book with a child.

 
Mayor speaking with youth.                                                   HACLA President and CEO Rudolf C. Montiel
                                                                                                    with Commissioner Maria Del  Angel
                                                                                                   Commissioner Lucelia Hooper in the back.
 
 
Photos: 1.Mayor Villaraigosa and HACLA President and CEO Rudolf C. Montiel take a picture with youth from Nickerson Gardens. 2. Crochet class at Imperial Courts