Our Story
A collective journey of resilience, built by the community for the community, since the world first changed in 2020.
The 2020 Crisis
When the world shut down in March 2020, the existing cracks in our systems became canyons. South LA faced a unique set of challenges: limited access to fresh food, a lack of local testing sites, and a digital divide that left thousands of students without the tools to learn from home. While the city waited for top-down solutions, we knew our neighbors couldn't wait.
What started as a phone call between community leaders quickly evolved into a network of 32+ churches, clinics, and nonprofit partners. We didn't just ask for help; we built a collective system of resource redistribution. By leveraging the trusted spaces of local congregations and community hubs, CRSSLA was founded to ensure that resources moved directly into the hands of those who needed them most.
“We realized that existing systems weren’t built for our resilience—so we built our own.”
Milestones
A Legacy of Response
2020
The Launch
In response to the COVID-19 lockdown, CRSSLA was formed as a rapid response network to bridge the resource gap in South LA.
2021
Critical Care
Distributed over 184,000 COVID-19 tests and nearly a million pieces of PPE to frontline community members.
2022
Digital Access
Delivered 2,500+ laptops to South LA students, ensuring educational continuity during the transition to hybrid learning.
2024
Sustainability
Reached a milestone of 30M+ lbs of food distributed through our collaborative partner network across the region.
Growth in Impact
Since our founding in 2020, CRSSLA has continuously scaled its efforts to meet the evolving needs of South LA through deep collaboration and justice-rooted resource distribution.
Food Distributed
COVID-19 Tests Administered
PPE Kits Shared
30M+ lbs
184K+
880K+
32+
Active Community Partners
Looking Forward
The story of CRSSLA is still being written by neighbors like you. Inspired by our past achievements, we look ahead to a South LA where every family is resilient and no one is left behind. We invite you to stay involved and help shape the future of our collective spirit of hope.