SSG
History
50
A
half-century of providing quality human services to a diverse and multicultural
community is a milestone rarely achieved. Reaching
fifty years of operation for any community organization during periods of
international conflict, economic downturns, political swings, natural and civil
disasters, sociological changes and cultural shifts is an accomplishment to be
recognized. Special Service for
Groups, Inc. takes pride for fifty years of its commitment and dedication to
those in need.
SSG
began during World War II resulting from the infamous Los Angeles “zoot suit
riots”. American sailors had
attacked Mexican American youth on the streets of Los Angeles causing a national
outrage. To alleviate the issue,
the Community Chest (United Way) formed a ‘special services unit’ to attend
to the youth’s recreational and social issues.
In 1952, after eight years of operating programs for teenagers, Special
Service for Groups incorporated. To
state an old cliché: “The rest is history!”
SSG’s
first years offered outreach services to 160 minority gangs in Los Angeles.
It was the most intensive gang counseling operation in the United States
at the time. SSG social workers
“wrote the book” on intervention by directly helping to resolve the most
severe gang problems. Inner city
poverty, delinquency, school dropouts, drugs, and gang violence were erupting as
never before among American youth. SSG’s
intervention staff members were renowned for their training, sensitivity and
dedication – setting the stage for the organization’s historical
achievements and standard of excellence.
During
the 1960’s SSG expanded, especially after the Watts Riots of 1965. The powerful mood of the times prompted SSG to address
endemic social ills, economic inequality and cultural negligence through
programs in areas such as jobs, welfare, education, housing and political action
and advocacy. Quality service
delivery was SSG’s hallmark as government, grass roots groups, educators, and
activists came together to solve problems and address emerging needs within
diverse minority communities.
The
1970’s reflected new ideas, movements and progressive initiatives in
environmental concerns, housing, women’s rights, housing and political reform.
Mayor Tom Bradley, the first African American Mayor elected in 1974,
ushered in a new era of change. SSG’s
programs at that time reflected an emphasis on cultural and linguistic
sensitivity with an increasing number of projects targeting Latinos, African
Americans and Asian Pacific immigrants and refugees.
In particular, the end of the Vietnam War led to the development of
increased mental health and training for immigrant and minority communities.
Several operations started in the 1970’s are still in operation today
and continue to address critical community needs.
Los
Angeles emerged in the 1980s as the nation’s most multi-cultural city. In response to changing demographics, new immigrant
neighborhoods, cultural identities, and social realities, SSG continued to grow
and expand services to address increased needs – in particular for a fast
growing population of low-income and poverty-level families.
The growing homeless population was another example of the widening
economic divide and HIV/AIDS emerged at the end of the decade as one of the most
explosive social and political issues of our time.
SSG programs created in the 1980’s reflected these times, including
‘safety net’ programs, youth programs, homeless services, mental health
services and HIV/AIDS education and intervention.
Many have persevered and continue to be even more relevant today than
ever before.
The
uprising of April 1992 – called the “Los Angeles riots” by the national
media – was a wake up call to all that it was time for a new set of
progressive initiatives. Immigrant
rights, skills training, job development, neighborhood improvement, and ethnic
issues came to the forefront of our collective consciousness.
SSG responded through a variety of new initiatives and programming.
Beginning in the mid-1990’s SSG began a series of efforts to
collaborate and build strategic partnerships with other community based
organizations and groups. In an era
of uncertain resources and economic instability, SSG-led Community Collaborative
Projects have become a well-known and respected agency trademark.
As
we take a moment to look back on SSG’s rich history, we reaffirm our
commitment to addressing major social, economic and environmental problems
through the combined efforts and voices of diverse constituencies.
These past fifty years of service have provided so much to so many - by a
dedicated and concerned cadre of human service professionals, community leaders
and volunteers. Collectively,
SSG’s programs, affiliates and partners have given not only their time but
also their hearts and minds to the community.
We take this moment to thank all of those who have added their unique
contributions to SSG’s history.