In a modern metropolitan city such as Los Angeles, efforts to fight crime and poverty may often seem futile. These social realities, are merely viewed as perpetual and unpreventable conditions, raise alarming levels of narcissism and neglect in people, which I believe are increasing characteristics of modern society. And yet, while in many places the holiday season compels many to address these social realities with charity, there is a place in the South Bay region of Los Angeles where charity is only one of many steps taken towards envisioning a different future. At the Toberman Neighborhood Center in San Pedro, the efforts to fight crime and poverty are often pragmatic, and furthermore, serve as a daily reminder to those familiar with its work, that simple acts of generosity towards a family or an individual are indeed real and effective and thus anything but futile.
In a region often identified by its harbor, Toberman serves as a lighthouse of sorts, shedding light where darkness may otherwise reside, and operating as a beacon of hope where despair may otherwise prevail. Name a challenge typically associated with lower socio-economic regions and you will find a program at Toberman that already addresses it.
One of several such programs at Toberman is the Family Development Network (FDN). Directed by Sixto Felix, this department is designed to strengthen family units and help families become self-sufficient. Many of the families that Toberman serves are challenged with a variety of issues related to poverty. These families, referred to as clients, may turn to Toberman when, for instance, law enforcement challenges arise. For court ordered assignments there are anger management classes, domestic violence and drug counseling sessions. There are also parent and teen classes, both of which emphasize various life skills. Additionally, financial literacy seminars, funded in part by city funds and Citibank, address money management skills, checking accounts and credit. For those aspiring to drive, the FDN has also helped 31 people, between the ages of 16-25, acquire a driver’s license. There is even a program for families who can’t afford a car-seat for their child; the only requirement is a short video dealing with safety and car seat installation. A light/heat program, requiring proof of income, helps families pay for their utilities. Mayra Martinez, an FDN Unit Supervisor, indicates that in one recent case, a family had gone 3 months without electricity while in another case, a 99 year old woman, not able to afford her utilities on a social security income, had her $2,000 utility bill paid for by the FDN. As it turned out, the woman had been a Toberman volunteer back in 1950’s, and so it reminds us, as one would hope to think, that generosity is indeed sometimes paid back to the original giver.
Another program at Toberman is the Family Welfare Center (FWC), which, throughout the year, provides food, clothing and in some cases, referrals to additional crisis intervention agencies. For Christmas, various families are adopted and are thereupon given presents. Headed by Pamela Foster Newsom, who volunteered for 10 years before assuming a full-time position, the FWC is responsible for feeding and clothing families that would otherwise suffer cold nights and or hunger. The FWC receives donations from local churches, grocery stores and various other organizations and private donors. When asked about the rewarding feeling that comes from a job like this, Pamela says, “to see a smile on one person’s face is enough reward for my work”. Several volunteers assist Pamela in the day to day operations of the “pantry”, where Toberman clients come to receive bags of groceries.
One such former client, Tyrina Garcia, now a current volunteer at the FWC, remembers being on the opposite side of the pantry door just one year ago. “I remember coming here as a client. And now, thanks to the positive reinforcement that I constantly received, I am now on my own and volunteering my time to give back to the community.” As recently as one year ago, Tyrina remembers being homeless and sleeping in cars. She had endured various bouts with drugs and an abusive boyfriend. For 5 years, she was unable to see her grandchildren for Christmas. Over the last year, Toberman has played a large role in helping Tyrina get back on her feet. For the first time in her life, she now has her own apartment and is looking forward to spending Christmas with her family. She jokes about a recent incident, in which a local gas station attendant did not recognize her. “My whole life has changed in one year,” says Tyrina.
And if changes such as these can occur over the span of one year, it is impossible to imagine how many lives have been positively altered over the course of its 104 year old history. 
Originally called the Toberman Settlement House, its roots are associated not only with the United Methodist Church, but also, they are found within the American Settlement Movement, taking place during the Progressive Era, an era beginning during the 1890’s and ending during the 1920’s. It was named after Homer Toberman, the deceased son of James Toberman, a six-term Los Angeles mayor. Interestingly enough, it is said by some that James Toberman was originally sent to Southern California by Abraham Lincoln himself. Whether or not this is true, the history of the Toberman Neighborhood Center is nevertheless linked to one of the greatest social movements in American history, a movement that is credited with addressing the massive urban social problems stemming from rapid industrialization. In addition, the settlement movement also allowed women to demonstrate their tremendous abilities as social reformers, a traditional characteristic that continues today with the great number of strong women that can be seen working at Toberman, whether in the form of staff or as volunteers.
Once existing in various locations around the city, Toberman finally settled in San Pedro in 1937. Since then, it continues to run recreational programs, day care, and various classes and seminars. In fact, one of the original services included delinquency prevention services, which today has taken the form of Gang Prevention and Intervention Programs. In next week’s ongoing story on Toberman, along with additional success stories and other programs, further exploration of these gang programs will be provided. As with its fight against crime, Toberman’s constant efforts against poverty are beyond commendable, since it is here that these issues are dealt with, at their root level, while a significant part of society prefers to deal with them only when they are forced to. Meanwhile, as it has for more than 100 years, Toberman continues to care for those who may otherwise find themselves without hope. And for this reason, it is a place worthy of our praise and gratitude, since without its efforts, it is perhaps best to not dare imagine the state in which the harbor region would find itself.
Yet, while poverty remains a major challenge, poverty may still, better yet, be understood as a state of mind as opposed to a mere state of financial condition. And with this said, anyone walking through the halls of Toberman will actually witness great forms of wealth, which can only be understood through the currency of generosity, hope and the tears of joy that are caused by clients whose souls are rich despite their current financial condition.
For Further Reading:
- Donate Now to Toberman
- Wikipedia Toberman House
- Find a Charity for You
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
0 responses so far ↓
Subscribe to our RSS Feed and leave a comment to enter the commentator of the week competition and win a $20 Amazon.com gift voucher.
Leave a Comment