NELA United
A special invite from Clockshop’s Summer Youth Fellows
It’s hard to believe that summer is almost coming to an end. With school starting up next week, here at Clockshop we’re saying goodbye to a special group of fourteen Northeast LA high school students. For the past six-weeks, these students have formed the second cohort of Clockshop’s Summer Arts & Advocacy Youth Fellowship.
During the course of the summer, the fellows have learned about the ecology of and kayaked down the Los Angeles River, have engaged with professional artists to create a collaborative mosaic mural in Cypress Park, learned about the history of their communities, toured City Hall and spoken with CD1 Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, and camped at Malibu Creek State Park.
The fellows also partook in a series of panels, workshops, and teach-ins related to urban planning, public policy, and a very special oral history lesson. Using our ongoing Take Me to Your River project as an example, we touched upon the goals of the project, the interview process, and learned how to write short stories using interview transcripts. We explored some best practices related to community-facing projects and the fellows had many valid questions and concerns regarding consent and ways to ensure that this project is in line with the needs of the community and is not extractive.
It’s always a treat to present the project to students, especially those who live in and have grown up in the neighborhoods we are focusing on. Hearing their desire to accurately present the stories of their nuances communities, speaks to the power of oral histories and cultural asset mapping projects. It’s an opportunity to showcase the uniqueness and resilience of these neighborhoods, especially as they undergo violent gentrification processes that erase these memories.
Having learned the basics of oral histories, the fellows then split up into pairs, tuned into their oral historian skills and began to interview each other. Following these brief interviews, they wrote short stories based on their conversations with each other.
The fellows were excited to share their stories; as well as the photographs they took of each other. The following are a few selects: a reflection of their changing neighborhoods through their point of view. Continue reading for a special invitation from the fellows themselves. :)
Home, written by Alyssa
Kate was born and raised in Northeast Los Angeles. She is one of 4 children and has grown up in Eagle Rock her whole life. Kate enjoys living a peaceful life in Eagle Rock. Still, gentrification makes change noticeable to Kate.
“They were definitely gonna get our neighborhood,” Kate says referring to gentrifiers.
Despite uprising redevelopment in the area, Kate feels safe in Eagle rock within her Filipino community.
“Eagle Rock is very central to things, you can get places easy and nothing bad really happens,”
Being Filipino-American, Kate was able to find community through the Clockshop Summer Youth Fellowship. They have always been interested in politics and aiding their local community. Although greater motivations arose to participate in advocacy because ICE began to surveil her neighborhood.
“Yeah protests work but you can also work with people in your area to make change.”
Kate continues to connect with her community. As well as exploring neighboring ones as well. She does so by going out to eat, exploring places like Pasadena, and connecting with her community through Clockshop.
“LA is a place I won’t ever be able to leave, It’s a strong place to build communities.”
Kate will always be strongly connected to Los Angeles no matter their place in the world.
Still Here, written by America
Mana is a 16 year old who has lived in Mount Washington her entire life, in the same house her parents lived in before her. She built friendships in her neighborhood through a nearby elementary school, but lost many of those connections after switching schools. She still keeps in touch with one old friend, even though they live far apart. Mana also formed a meaningful bond with her elderly neighbor called Rachel, while walking their dogs. Over time, she saw Rachel lose her four dogs and later pass away, but was moved by how the community came together to support her and honor her memory. Mana also had a beagle named Lola from second grade who was her “walking buddy” and a “big part of her childhood”. She isn’t sure what she wants to study yet and grow towards in the future, but her story shows how much she values people, memories, and the strength of community.
Untitled, written by Luis
Bridget is a 16-year-old girl of Mexican and Salvadoran descent, born and raised in Glassell Park. She shares a close bond with her mother, as they are the only women in the family, which makes it easier for them to confide in one another. Bridget has a deep love for her community, especially with many of her relatives living nearby, and she finds joy in attending school.
She believes that her parents and brother have played a significant role in shaping who she is today, with shared experiences that have impacted them all. Through these family experiences, they've learned from each other's mistakes and gained a better understanding of what paths to avoid. While the criticism she receives from her family can sometimes make her angry or annoyed, she recognizes that it comes from a place of care and has ultimately helped her grow.
Having grown up in the area where a lot of people wouldn’t feel safe, she has rarely felt unsafe, even while walking or taking the bus to and from school or when going out. Despite her positive experiences, Bridget is aware of the drug addiction problems affecting her neighborhood. She believes many teens today lack positive role models and are often raised in challenging environments, which can lead them to turn to drugs as a way to cope.
Untitled, written by Bridget
Growing up in Lincoln Heights, Luis was shaped by a neighborhood that demanded awareness, resilience, and adaptability. Surrounded by gang culture and the ever-present threat of being misunderstood, Luis learned early on how to navigate the world through careful self-presentation. He often times had to fend off misjudgments and shift the way others perceived him, learning to carry himself with caution and intention.
Though his environment was tough, Luis found strength and identity in his immigrant-based community. In a neighborhood where ICE raids sowed fear and uncertainty, his community responded not with division, but with unity. “With everything going on with the ICE raids, I believe it is important for our community, mainly built of immigrants, to stick together,” he once reflected. The local corner stores, street vendors, and gatherings at L.A. Historic Park weren’t just background noise, they were the heartbeat of a shared experience, a collective resilience that helped him feel seen and supported.
One of the most comforting places in Luis’s life was his grandmother’s house. It was more than a building, it was a second home where family, tradition, and memory created a safe haven. Even after his grandmother passed away, the house held a deep emotional gravity, offering comfort during difficult times. Although a relative’s behavior once disrupted that peace, the house still carried the warmth and familiarity of the past.
Whenever the weight of the outside world became too heavy, Luis would retreat to the garage or take long walks around the neighborhood. A quick trip to the corner store for a favorite snack or candy often brought him back to simpler moments of childhood. These small rituals, woven into the rhythm of his life, reminded him of who he was and where he came from. Despite the challenges of his upbringing, Luis’s story is ultimately one of reflection, community, and finding strength in the places, and people, that shaped him.
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Embedded in the curriculum of the fellowship is the creation of a final culminating project. Whether a zine, a music video, a publication, or a neighborhood walk—the format is up to the fellows to decide, plan out, and adequately budget for. This year, the result is “NELA United”, a night of storytelling and community, that will showcase and share oral histories (including an open mic portion where attendees are invited to share their NELA stories) and invite attendees to participate in interactive workshops relating to personal memories and experiences within Northeast LA.
The fellows invite you all to join them for this night of community; featuring live music, local food, and opportunities to learn and grow in our understanding of these neighborhoods.
For more information and to RSVP please visiting the following link: Event Information
NELA United
Thursday, August 7, 2025
5:00-7:30 PM
Clockshop
Hope to see you there!
I am so moved by the insightful reflections of these fellows! Reading how young folks take root and are further shaped by the changes in their respective communities was significant. I will continue to consider how community members, regardless of age, are impacted by evolving landscapes. Thank you for sharing!