We Take Care of Each Other

A Message from Patti Giggans, POV’s Executive Director/CEO

We are PEACE OVER VIOLENCE

In Los Angeles, we are all neighbors. We are all Angelenos. When one community is impacted by violence or injustice, we all feel it. LA is a city of neighborhoods built on Indigenous and Mexican land — shaped by generations of immigrants who came here fleeing poverty, discrimination and oppression looking for safety, work, freedom and a new place to call home. Across LA County, more than 224 languages are spoken. In LAUSD schools alone, students speak 185 different languages at home. This is a region full of many languages, voices, stories, and people who come from everywhere, who care about their communities—and that’s what makes us strong.

It is a First Amendment right to protest and some of the most critical advances in our society have come through active participation by everyday people. When our neighbors are targeted or harmed, we show up. We speak out. Because here in LA, we take care of each other.

This month, we’re focusing on solidarity—the commitment to support and stand with one another. June is Pride Month, Juneteenth, Gun Violence Awareness Month, and across LA and beyond, people are coming together to protect our rights and safety. The victim/survivors and families we serve are being impacted and are fearful and hesitant to reach out and come forward. A pervasive lack of safety surrounds us all, including service providers. POV is here; that means standing with survivors, supporting our staff, volunteers and partners, advocating for our community, all the while providing ongoing 24/7 services.

We are LA strong. We are Peace Over Violence.

We take care of each other.

Patti Giggans, Executive Director/CEO