Insider vs Outsider Perspective

Insider Perspective:

Many of the individuals we were fortunate enough to meet and speak with seemed to share common beliefs and values for the city in which they lived or work; a sense of community, of belonging, and of loyalty were apparent themes underlying most all of our conversations. Highland Park, regardless of its statistics pertaining to gang violence, unemployment, and homelessness, truly is HOME to many. Some of the following interviews with various individuals living and working in the community will further highlight the above:

Franklin High School: Two social workers at a Highland Park High School, Rachel Badillo and Melinda Duran, have developed a strong resource-based model to provide mental health services to students and families. The types of issues that students are dealing with are numerous, such as cutting, depression, teen pregnancy, gang violence, suicide, student shootings, etc. They had a particularly hard year, with the school community being hit by a large number of shootings since January, and in particular one shooting death of a 9th grader traumatized the 9th grade class. They both spoke of the importance of creating a strong social work team and evaluating the resources within the school community to create an authentic mental health services program: they have developed a peer-to-peer counseling program that has proven to be incredibly effective amongst the students; they have put much effort into creating student interest groups that give students creative channels; they create a Youth Forum to bring together concerned community members to dialogue about issues affecting young people; they’ve created a number of effective family therapy groups; in addition, they’ve begun a teacher education program that trains educators in dealing with student issues in the classroom. One interesting note is that Ms. Badillo spoke of a shift within district mental health services towards concentrated short-term therapy to “stabilize” situations that students find themselves in. It is unclear whether this move is due to a case overload, the bureaucratic management of mental health services for the district, or whether this serves as a supplement to the long-term therapy model.

Optimist Youth Home and Family Services: Mary Hudson is the Director of Mental Health Services at Optimist Youth Home, a residential facility treatment program that offers long-term therapy for youth within probation centers across the state. They offer specialized programs for sexual offenders and substance abuse, and generally work with youth between 6 to 18 months. They offer numerous modes of therapy, such as movement and art therapy, as well as yoga and meditation therapy. They also participate in an intramural sports program. When asked about issues of race, gender, religion, sexuality, and class that emerge within therapy, Ms. Hudson responded that she holds honest dialogues with youth and therapists about issues that emerge in therapy, and she has found that when therapists at the facility are willing to deal with these issues head on, they find that cross-cultural assumptions tend to fall away once the youth develop trust in their therapists and the young people around them. She was confident in the Optimist program, but a little more hesitant about what happens once youth leave the program. She suggested that students have had difficulties returning to their homes, and that some have requested to stay on at Optimist in an independent living program.

Fire Department Captain: The Captain of a local Fire Department offered his perspective on growing up in Highland Park. He lived in Highland Park from the 1960’s to the 1990’s, and said that he has witnessed dramatic changes in the demographics of the area. As a high school student, he saw the population change from being primarily white working class individuals to a largely Hispanic population. Beginning in the 1980’s, he explained that he started to witness an increase in gang violence. Eventually, he moved his family to the Eagle Rock area, because he felt that it was unsafe for them to reside in Highland Park. He attributes the stagnant economic growth to the gangs. According to him, people don’t want to move money and business into an area where gang violence is prevalent. He sees some improvements in the community in recent years but feels that there is much improvement yet to be made. Still, the Captain adds that he feels safe working in Highland Park, and very much considers the Highland Park area to be his home.

Michelle Harnsberger: Michelle Harnsberger of Harnsberger Real Estate was born and raised in the Highland Park area and currently lives in Mt. Washington. Michelle explained that she has never felt unsafe in the Huntington Park area, and while she is aware of some of the gang activity, she feels as though being active in the community and getting to know the people in her community have enhanced her feelings of security. Additionally, Michelle explained that she believes Highland Park to have made marked improvements as she and other link-minded individuals have created initiatives to advocate for youth and provide them with constructive alternatives to joining gangs.

Felix: On a Wednesday morning, Felix sat alongside 6 or more other men, awaiting his turn for a haircut, at a barbershop that he and the others believed to be the best in town, since its opening in 1999. Felix has lived in Highland Park since the 1970’s. And though an active member of the military, he has always returned to where he calls home. When his parents retired, and moved to El Paso, they encouraged Felix to move along with them. However, as Felix explained, he and his siblings have attachments to the area and do not intend to move. Felix elaborated on the historical value of his first home, and how unique and rich he believed Highland Park to be.

Carlos Torres: Carlos Torres, one of the owners of the Torres Barber Shop, explained that while he did not live in Highland Park, but in a neighboring city, he very much felt as though he was a part of the Highland Park community. Carlos compared Highland Park to a small town within a larger city, pointing to the mountains and hillsides that surround Highland Park. He explained that most of his customers knew each other in some way, and that one of his employees attended high school with many of their dedicated customers. Carlos seemed to take pride in the city and shared a book on Highland Park that he kept in his cabinet alongside his brushes, scissors, and other hair products. The book was titled, Images of America, Highland Park, by Charles J. Fisher. When asked why he kept the book with him, Carlos explained that he had wanted to read it, but simply hadn’t had the time. Time was clearly an issue, as was evident by the line of people awaiting their turn with Carlos and his scissors.

Imex Book Store: An employee at the Imex Book Store located in Eagle Rock shared some of her experiences with her perceived notion of gentrification in Highland Park. She seemed to be very aware of the community, and explained that Highland Park was gradually becoming more ‘trendy,’ especially many of the stores and bars on York Blvd., whose patrons tended to be from outside of the Highland Park area.

Artist: An artist who lived in Eagle Rock, but rented a studio for her artwork in Highland Park for her artwork, said that she felt perfectly safe working in the area.

Manuel: Manuel sold his home in Highland Park nearly a decade ago, after living in the community for 30 years, because he was entering retirement and needed Medi-Cal. In the 8 years he has been at Villa Piedra apartments on Eagle Rock Blvd., he has seen the rent rise from $580 to $940. He says he does not receive public housing assistance, and enjoys the comfort of living with other independent seniors. He misses Nicaragua, and frequently reminisces with his wife of the possibility of moving back, should the cost of living become unbearable. Still, he said he enjoyed being outside and admiring the environment from the view of his walker’s built in seat.

Outsider Perspective:

While exploring Highland Park, some of us were hesitant, feeling as though we may be intruding upon others’ space and time. To our great surprise, most of us felt welcomed and highly regarded. In spite of the graffiti on the walls, and the bars on the windows, we felt as sense of comfort and security – walking the streets freely. The people we saw around the neighborhood were friendly and open to speak with us. Perhaps the beauty, however, lied not only in the hill-top homes and green mountain sides, but in the true sense of community that these natural boundaries and demographics helped to create. The community, itself, appeared tightly knit, as indicated by the social gatherings at the Torres’ Barber Shop, mid-afternoon, and the various activities people could participate in at the recreation center, senior center, public pool, art parks, etc...And though many of the buildings were not well kept, perhaps it is their age and their condition that is most indicative of the history that lies in Highland Park.