Steve
Barr, the founder and CEO of Green
Dot, has a special place in his heart for the Venice
community—he grew up in the area, near Gold's Gym.
After establishing charter schools in Lennox, Inglewood,
Boyle Heights and Watts, he wanted to return to his roots
and give back to the Venice community. As a result, some
questioned his commitment to "high-need" areas,
as Venice is commonly perceived as an affluent, idyllic
neighborhood. However, the history of Venice is one of
violence and gang warfare, and the effects on the community
still persist.
Compounding the gang issue is the
current wave of gentrification, which refers to the displacement
of local residents by affluent property buyers. In essence,
the gang issue was not resolved, but was pushed east into
Inglewood, along with the local residents (for more information,
read City
Beat,
issue #22). The situation can be likened to throwing
the baby out with the bath water. This effect is evidenced
by Broadway Elementary's declining student enrollment
from the 700-800 students of the 1970s to the present
200-300 students.
Ánimo Venice wants to take a more
proactive approach. One of our goals is to empower the
community to stand against poverty and violence and, at
the same time, preserve the community and its cultural
heritage. Another goal is to re-create a sense of community
by bringing together long-time Venice residents and affluent
new-comers. By creating a quality, college-prepratory
school such as Ánimo Venice, we want to give Venice residents
a reason to have their children schooled in Venice. And,
when children of all socio-economic levels attend school
together, then the parents will have a reason to connect
with each other.
