African American History Month: A Community Center for Watts

Watts Counseling and Center Director Bill Coggins and Annabell Ratcliff, 4, untie the bow to officially open the Watts center’s new building, 1977. LA Public Library photo

In the 1960′s, race riots broke out across the United States, from here in Washington, DC, to Los Angeles. The neighborhoods that were the center of these riots often suffered greatly, with residents facing lost jobs, property, and hope.

In 1967, Kaiser Permanente brought hope to Watts, the epicenter of the LA race riots. Led by Raymond Kay, MD, and Bill Coggins, LCSW. Coggins, an African American, canvassed the residents of Watts to understand their stories, needs, and hopes. He brought resources, including a preschool, to three generations of Watts families before his retirement in 1998.

To read the full story, check out this post on Kaiser Permanente’s Heritage Blog. To find information on the Watts Counseling & Learning Center’s work today, click here.

 

Source: http://centerfortotalhealth.org/african-american-history-month-a-community-center-for-watts/

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