ST. Barnabas senior services seeks to address the increasing concern of hate crimes in LOS angeles, particularly those targeting older adults

The U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded a $400,000 Project Grant under the Community-Based Approaches to Advancing Justice program (CFDA 16.047) to St. Barnabas Senior Center of Los Angeles. The purpose of this 3-year grant, running from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027, is to address the increasing issue of hate crimes targeting older adults, particularly in Asian and Hispanic communities in Los Angeles. Key activities include increasing awareness and reporting of hate crimes, reducing reluctance to report, and enhancing the safety and well-being of this vulnerable population through comprehensive outreach and education. The project will utilize multilingual and intergenerational engagement strategies, partnering with community organizations like the Chinatown Service Center, Filipino American Service Group, and Thai Community Development Corporation to deliver culturally appropriate services. It will also host annual town hall forums to promote community dialogue and education around hate crimes.

Despite the general awareness of hate crimes, incidents against older individuals, especially within asian and hispanic communities, are markedly underreported. The covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, highlighting the intersection of ageism and racial discrimination, thus placing older adults at heightened risk of both physical and non-physical hate crimes. The goal is this project is to increase awareness and reporting of hate crimes among older adults, reduce the reluctance to report, and enhance the safety and well-being of this vulnerable population through comprehensive outreach and education. This campaign will focus on intergenerational and multilingual engagement, targeting not only older adults, but also younger community members, fostering a collective response to hate crimes. Partner organizations like the chinatown service center, filipino american service group incorporated, and thai community development corporation, as well as leveraging existing established relationships with ethnic medial channels and newspapers, will assist in delivering culturally appropriate services and spreading the message through multiple media outlets. In addition, two town hall forums will be hosted annually, providing platforms for community dialogue and education. Through these comprehensive strategies, ST. Barnabas senior services aims to create a safer, more supportive environment for older adults in LOS angeles, empowering them to stand up for themselves and participate actively in their communities. The ultimate success of this project will be measured by heightened community awareness of hate crimes and their reporting processes, reduced reluctance to report hate crimes, and increased engagement and support among older adults.