This community-engaged research is grounded in the experiences of Los Angeles (LA) garment workers. Therefore, we affirm the principle that workers should be actively involved in shaping their own working conditions. The purpose of this research, then, is to situate a Garment Worker Center (GWC) staffing cooperative (or staffing coop) in the LA garment industry to further advance workers’ rights and leverage their skills and expertise, by conducting an initial customer exploration. Doing so allows the GWC’s staffing cooperative to pursue a business model that is competitive and feasible in the LA garment industry.
With a large population of their community facing diet-related illnesses, a non-profit organization in Pacoima, California, Meet Each Need with Dignity (MEND), attempts to alleviate the stressors of diabetes on these individuals through their educational programs. While their Diabetes Health Education seems to address the physical health component of diabetes, thisresearch was conducted to explore how MEND is addressing the psychological component to this disease. As MEND’s clients fall under the governmental poverty line, affecting their access to healthcare, MEND serves as a source of relief and hope for individuals facing hardship. Thisposition of opportunity MEND holds to leave a sustainable impact on these individuals is endless and should be utilized to create positive changes within these individuals.
