FOR AN INDOMITABLE HOPE, A HOUSE OF ITS OWN.Byline: SUSAN ABRAM Staff Writer PANORAMA CITY -- This is a street where hope has outgrown an apartment space and needs a house of its own. On Monday, dozens of residents gathered on a muddy, vacant lot on Blythe Street that soon will house the services that will bring that hope. By December, this 5,700-square-foot plot will become the new and expanded Casa Esperanza, or Hope House. ``It's a dream come true,'' said Maritza Varela de Artan, director of Casa Esperanza, during a groundbreaking for the project. ``I've been talking about this for so long, to so many people.'' Currently operating inside a two-bedroom apartment on Blythe, Casa Esperanza provides health care, employment and other social services social services Noun, pl welfare services provided by local authorities or a state agency for people with particular social needs social services npl → servicios mpl sociales for neighborhood residents. It began when Margaret Rose Margaret Rose, Princess 1930-2002. Princess of Great Britain, the second daughter of George VI and sister of Elizabeth II. Welch, then a nun with Immaculate Heart Immaculate Heart may refer to:
Though the neighborhood's image has been darkened dark·en v. dark·ened, dark·en·ing, dark·ens v.tr. 1. a. To make dark or darker. b. To give a darker hue to. 2. To fill with sadness; make gloomy. 3. by an unfortunate distinction -- the first Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. area where gang injunctions were enforced -- Councilman Tony Cardenas Tony Cardenas served in the California State Assembly. In the Assembly, he had the powerful position of chair of the Budget Committee. He is now a Los Angeles City Councilman, representing the 6th district, which includes parts of the San Fernando Valley. said Casa Esperanza has cast a positive light on Blythe. ``I think Casa Esperanza is much stronger than a gang,'' he said. ``I think it's stronger than any evil.'' Funding for the $700,000 project has come from both public and private sectors. Los Angeles County has allocated $25,000, while the Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. has earmarked $50,000. Cardenas said he would work to secure more money. Meanwhile, those who live and have grown up on Blythe say the positives they have found at Casa Esperanza have given them the chance to dream big. ``It was a great place to go to, to interact with other kids,'' said 18- year-old Ismael Samano, a recent graduate of Monroe High School For other uses, see James Monroe High School. Monroe High School may refer to:
susan.abram(at)dailynews.com (818) 713-3664 CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) The Blythe Street community in Panorama City bears the heat Monday to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the highly anticipated Casa Esperanza community center. (2) A rendering of the Casa Esperanza community center (due for completion in December) is displayed during its groundbreaking Monday. The new building will replace the center's current home, a two-bedroom apartment. Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer |
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