I just got a call from one of the managers for a few of our L.A. properties and I really couldn't understand most of what she was saying. I hate the phone as it is, but that was even more awkward.

She's wanting me to visit the property to give my opinion on the community room which I really have no say over anyway...

And as my boss describes the neighborhood, "Have you seem the movie Training Day? That's it."

I'm a girl who likes working in such areas, that's why I do what I do (nonprofit housing), but when I ask my boss rather parking on the street would be safe for volunteers and he just shakes his head "no" rather strongly, I highly doubt he's going to approve me venturing into the area by myself.

Besides, I have no say over how they paint the room or what they do. That's the owner. We don't own the property, just manage compliance and services.

The girl on the phone even said they wanted the community room looking nice because they wanted people to feel safe attending the event. Most people cite being too scared to come to these things as an excuse for not attending. That's just sad.

The program is for financial literacy and one session for adults could talk about opening a small business. Other sessions include home-ownership, credit responsibility, balancing a budget, emergency preparation (both financial and otherwise). So I hope we can encourage people to attend.

The youth program is five sessions and most aren't showing an interest... But my company can provide incentives, so maybe a gift card for those who attend all 5? Though even that isn't working in some cases.

It's just very sad. Most of the people feel its futile to even try. I can bring the services to them, but I can't make them attend. Most don't attend not out of laziness or not caring, but because they feel hopeless or afraid. I know this first hand with my own family. When you've seen nothing but poverty and despair, it's hard to imagine life any other way.

I wish I could do more sometimes. I understand all too well with how they feel, but it's simply not true. It's hard to overcome that level of poverty, harder than it should be... Again, I wish I could do more :/

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