Prospects for Mission in Central Los Angeles Community Needs Assessment Monte Sahlin Center for Creative Ministry November 2014
Who is Monte Sahlin? An ordained Seventh-day Adventist minister for 40 years who has done assessments for more than 1,000 local churches. He is retired in May 2014 after serving at all levels of the denomination in research and development. He teaches in the Doctor of Ministry program at Andrews University and the urban studies program at Eastern Baptist University. He is the author of 22 books, more than 100 research monographs and many articles.
What is the Center for Creative Ministry? One of the research and information centers affiliated with the North American Division, the center provides information, resource materials, training and consultants to help local churches develop new approaches to outreach, evangelism and church growth. It provides the Sharing Scripture small group Bible study guides, Friend2Friend training videos and other materials.
Goals of this Study o Understand the University Park neighborhood in central Los Angeles as a mission field o Profile the dynamics and culture of the community o Find effective ways to reach the community o Provide a base of information for future planning for mission
University Park as a Mission Field o This assessment defines Central Los Angeles as Zip Code 90007 o Consists of 42,025 residents in 11,959 households o There is one Adventist for each 221 residents in Los Angeles County n USA: 1 Adventist to 305 n New Guinea: 1 to 25 n Jamaica: 1 to 14 n Belize: 1 to 10
Zip Code 90007 is bounded by Interstate 10 on the North and Interstate 110 on the East Normandie Ave on the West and Exposition Blvd on the South. Zip Code 90089 is the campus of the University of Southern Calif. The area south of the campus is where the museums are located.
Who are the people living in this community? Lifestyle Segments University Life 24% 11 small segments 14% Poor Hispanic Families 30% Poor Black Families 32%
Poor Black Families 32% o These are among the poorest households in America with half the adults lacking a high school diploma and four in ten households do not own a car. o Major areas of need include affordable housing, dealing with ethnic prejudice, neighborhood crime and safety, worry about gangs, abusive relationships and substance abuse o Involvement in religion and belief in God with above average preference for these faiths: Baptist, Adventist, Jehovah s Witnesses, Holiness and Episcopal o Church program preferences include Bible study groups, spiritual retreats, 12-step programs, food panty and day care
Poor Hispanic Families 30% o Almost all adults are under 35 years of age with little education, very low incomes, many women at home with children and large households o Major concerns in this group are gangs, getting an education, day-to-day finances, finding a good church, problems with their children and affordable housing o Belief in God is high but involvement in religion is just average, although above average percentages prefer the Jehovah s Witnesses, Pentecostal & Mormon faiths o Church program preferences include 12-step programs, recreation activities, family counseling services, and worship music that is contemporary and particpatory
University Life 24% o o o o o Mainly young singles, 18 to 24 years of age living in group quarters and non-family households; many have a college degree and a White Collar job that they walk to Key needs for this group include educational objectives, finding a satisfying career, making friends, social justice, affordable housing and adequate food Involvement with religion and belief in God are way below the national average with many unchurched Above average preferences for these faiths: Unitarian, Adventist, Episcopal, Presbyterian and UCC Church program preferences include music, drama and the arts; recreation; care for the dying; 12-step groups; spiritual formation and an intellectual style of worship
Green = Poor black families Light blue = Poor Hispanic families Dark blue = University life Yellow = Lowincome diversity Red = Working class families White = Campus of the University of Southern California
Population Decline 44,249 44,528 42,025 41,327 1990 2000 2012 2017 2017 is an estimate
Age Groups 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Under 5 Under 18 Age 65 and older Central LA National
Ethnic Profile 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% Central LA National 20% 10% 0% Asian Black Hispanic White
Immigrants 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% Central LA National 10% 0% Foreign born Speak another language at home
Housing 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% Central LA National 20% 10% 0% Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Education 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% Central LA National 10% 0% Secondary diploma College degree
Married 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% Central LA National 10% 0% Men Women
Special Needs 20% 18% 16% 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% Disabled Veterans Central LA National
Median Household Income $52,599 $42,257 $19,755 $22,957 Central LA National 2000 2012
Annual Household Income 56% 26% 9% 4% 4% Under $25,000 $25,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 to $99,999 $100,000 or more
Poverty 20% 18% 16% 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% Households with children Households without children Central LA National
Cost of Housing $1,674 $1,559 $963 $657 Central LA National Median monthly mortgage Median monthly rent/lease
Median Home Value $334,000 $158,934 Central LA National
Religious Preferences of Central LA Residents Other 9% No religion 19% Evangelical 31% Catholic 18% Protestant 23% Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Religious Involvement of Central LA Residents 55% 45% 35% 25% 15% 5% -5% Strongly Involved Somewhat Involved Not Involved Central LA National Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Religious Involvement of Central LA Residents 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Increased Involvement in Last 10 Years Central LA Decreased Involvement in Last 10 Years National Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Top Needs in the Community o 45% Achieving financial security o 40% Neighborhood crime & safety o 39% Maintaining personal health o 33% Day-to-day financial worries o 25% Dealing with stress o 23% Finding any job o 23% Finding affordable housing o 22% Dealing with teen/child problems Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Needs in the Community o 21% Getting health insurance o 21% Dealing with racial/ethnic prejudice o 21% Dealing with neighborhood gangs o 20% Finding friends o 20% Finding good schools o 18% Obtaining better quality health care o 18% Finding a satisfying job/career o 18% Finding time for recreation & leisure o 17% Dealing with social injustice o 17% Alcohol/drug addiction Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Needs in the Community o 15% Achieving a fulfilling marriage o 15% Abusive relationships o 14% Finding spiritual teaching o 13% Getting an education o 13% Finding a good church o 13% Finding direction in my life o 12% Planning retirement opportunities o 11% Problems with school o 11% Caring for aging parents Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Low-priority Needs in the Community o 10% Obtaining adequate food o 10% Developing parenting skills o 8% Affordable child care o 3% Dealing with divorce Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Church Programs People Want o 45% Bible study & prayer group o 30% Youth activities o 28% Family activities & outings o 25% Family & personal counseling o 21% Active retirement program o 18% Doctrinal study group o 17% Music/art/drama programs o 17% Spiritual retreats o 17% Care for the terminally ill Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Church Programs People Want o 12% Marriage enrichment seminar o 11% Parent training class o 11% Clothing & food for the needy o 8% Sports or camping o 8% Day care o 6% 12-step group for addictions o 5% Church school (day school) o 2% Divorce Recovery program Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Church Program Preferences Index for Central LA Residents 9 6 4-9 Social services Spiritual development Personal development Recreation Source: Percept Group, Inc.
How Central LA residents prefer for churches to contact them Direct mail Radio spots Newpaper ads Cable TV Phone for a visit Telemarketing Door to door Yes No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Recommendations o Start an Adventist Christian Fellowship on the Campus of the University of Southern California o Consider providing a scholarship for one or two Adventist college student to attend USC and serve as organizers of community ministries at the church
More Recommendations o Interviews need to be completed with key civic leaders: What do they know about the Adventist Church? What needs do they think the church should address? o Consider starting or expanding a food ministry n Food pantry & free or inexpensive meals n Monthly classes on vegetarian cooking and good health habits
Recommended Next Steps o A small assessment team of volunteers to conduct community research (training can be provided by Webinar) o A survey of church members n Compare demographics of the members with the demographics of the community n Who lives in Temple City? n What are the members willing to do in giving their time and abilities to outreach?
o Contact Information: n Monte Sahlin n msahlin@creativeministry.org n (800) 272-4664