HISTORY
Our Beginnings

Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) is a non-profit community-based organization established in 1965.
WLCAC was organized by labor union members living in the Watts area, under the leadership of Ted Watkins, a long-time resident of Watts, and with the support and encouragement of seven international unions and staff members from the UCLA Institute of Industrial Relations. The intent of the labor union members in forming WLCAC was to put their union skills and organizational experience to work in the community in which they and their families lived. The group of union members sought to improve and revitalize the community by promoting and providing much needed services to its neglected citizens and by building in permanency through the development of an economic base that was necessary to create a healthy, self-sustaining segment of the Greater Los Angeles area. Starting with a total treasury of $5.30, and depending solely on the support of volunteers, WLCAC has grown to be one of the largest and most successful community based organizations in the world, with an international reputation for expertise in community self determination.

Today, WLCAC has over 350 employees on its payroll, with an annual operating budget of approximately $20 million. WLCAC's initial major achievement was the successful campaign for the construction of the Martin Luther King/Drew Hospital in the Watts/ Willowbrook area. WLCAC members coordinated the efforts of more than 80 different organizations in a concentrated campaign, and recruited several hundred volunteers to help put a $12.3 million Watts hospital (Proposition A) bond issue on the June 1966 primary ballot, and to provide the required two-thirds vote. Despite the many obstacles, WLCAC and its collaborators were successful in winning the citizens' support for the proposed hospital with 62.5% (just 5% short of the required two-thirds vote) of the voters supporting it. The community's unified front enabled WLCAC to continue to press the issue until funds for construction were finally secured.

From its inception, WLCAC has focused its attention on developing programs and services that address the community's complex needs. The organization provides health services, skills training, employment, senior citizens' nutrition and day care, child care and development, community transit and dial-a-ride services, education, consumer protection, community beautification and urban greening, voter registration and participation, children and family welfare, crime prevention, art and culture, energy and water conservation, technology, increased recreational facilities, low income housing, single-family homes, and community owned and managed commercial properties. There is no end to the number of people WLCAC-provided services or activities have benefited over the years.

Funding for WLCAC's programs and services has come from federal, state and local governments, as well as from private foundation and corporation grants. Yet WLCAC has also developed several components which generate and recycle income within the community it serves.

WLCAC's mission is community-oriented, no matter what changes in demographics may occur. In 1966, WLCAC and the United Farm Workers joined forces to address the plight of the immigrant worker. It was also in 1966 that WLCAC participated in the formation of community unions in other parts of Los Angeles. One such effort resulted in the formation of The East Los Angeles Community Action Committee, later renamed The East Los Angeles Community Union or TELACU.

Under Ted Watkins' administration, WLCAC played an important role in planning and developing international anti-poverty programs. Not only has WLCAC assisted thousands of local residents by facilitating the education, skills, and job placement assistance necessary for long-term employment, WLCAC has developed a sister agency in Great Britain that is successfully transitioning local residents from poverty and welfare-dependency to a working, self-sufficient lifestyle.

March Of Progress
1964
WLCAC is founded by a group of 14 labor union representatives under the leadership of Ted Watkins with a treasury of $5.38 and announces its mission "to improve the quality of life for the residents of Watts".

1965
WLCAC organizes 300 volunteers and spearheads the campaign for what became the Martin Luther King Jr. County General Hospital.

1966
First summer youth program in American history is launched involving over 4000 youth, 16 - 21 years old. Successfully gained support through the Department of Labor to implement experimental program to hire youth 14 - 21 years of age, paving the way to lowering national working age from 16 to 14 years of age.
Started first door to door Dial-A-Bus transportation program to deliver workers from Watts to outlying job opportunities.

1967
Transported 2500 inner city youth to Camp Roberts Army Base for a two week summer camp experience.
Launched job training program for 500 Watts area youth.
Opened Watts Community Credit Union.
WLCAC qualifies as non-profit 501 (c ) [3] Community Development Corporation.
WLCAC gains unanimous support from Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to construct the Martin Luther King Jr. General Hospital.

1968
Gained Congressional approval to lower minimum work age to 14 years.
Created land bank for community development with $2.1 million loan from United Auto Workers labor union.
Opened 587 acre youth summer camp in Saugus, California.
Opened first non profit based food stamp distribution center in Los Angeles (one of only five non-financial institutions in the nation).

1969
Grand Opening of first Senior Citizens Nutrition and Social Service Center in American History (at 109th & Central).
Formed Greater Watts Development Corporation as WLCAC Subsidiary.
Implemented State of California Century Freeway Relocation contract.

1970
Implemented Watts Feeds Itself youth agricultural program beneath DWP power lines. Grand Opening of WLCAC Elite Market (alcohol free store at 88th Place & Central). Grand Opening of WLCAC Restaurant (all you could eat soul food aqt 88th Place & Central). Grand Opening of WLCAC Mobil Gas Station at the corner of 103rd & Central (first mainstream new business to open after '65 riots). Opened Saugus Urban Residential Educational Center as four year project to train inner city residents in an urban setting.

1971
Initiated street tree planting and community beautification projects.

1972
Ground Breaking for development of 7-acre One Fifteen Home Improvement Center at 109th & Central.
Executed incorporation of Tri House Movers, Inc. to relocate homes from Century Freeway corridor

1973
Completed construction of first 120 housing units throughout Watts, Willowbrook, and Compton.

1974
Launched program with construction trade unions to provide training for youth workers.

1975
Created WLCAC Property Management Division to provide maintenance and management services

1976
Held lottery for Franklin Square Neighborhood, 39 single family homes at 102nd & Compton Ave.

1977
Grand Opening of Greater Watts Child Care Center at 108th & Central Ave.

1978
Launched ambitious development project to create a shopping center and new Senior Citizens apartment complexes.

1980
Ted Watkins is summoned by the Queen of England to advise on youth and community development.
Logan Plaza Senior Citizens complex is completed in Willowbrook.

1981
King Triangle Project, a 40 single family home neighborhood is completed in Compton.

1982
WLCAC enters into partnership with Watt Industries to purchase Goodyear Tire Company site for development purposes.

1983
Alice Manor and Ramona Estates senior citizen housing complexes are completed in Watts and Willowbrook.

1985
Launched WLCAC Youth Enterprises Program.

1986
Ted Watkins receives Yale Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence.

1987
Theresa Lindsay Senior Citizens Center is completed at 42nd & Avalon.
Grand Opening of Youth Enterprises operated Laundromat at the One-15 Center (109th & Central).
Grand Opening of Youth Enterprises operated Toys U All as the only toy store in Watts at the One-15 Center.
Grand Opening of Youth Enterprise operated Furniture Store at the One-15 Center.

1988
Commence operation of homeless shelters and access centers.

1992
WLCAC Headquarters site burned to the ground during Los Angeles Riots. WLCAC sustained single largest loss in Los Angeles estimated at $4.2 million.
WLCAC Founder Ted Watkins supervises cleanup and beginning of reconstruction of WLCAC Headquarters.

1993
WLCAC begins strategic discussion to address the plight of youth in the Watts area. WLCAC Founder Ted Watkins dies at age 71. Last wish: "To provide solution for homeless suffering". Long time aid, WLCAC Vice President, and friend, Leonard Robinette becomes President of WLCAC. WLCAC initiates First Annual Winter Holiday Celebration. 1994 WLCAC Headquarters is completed.
Grand Opening of Countdown To Eternity, a permanent exhibit on civil rights and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. WLCAC initiates the First Annual Civil Rights Festival.

1995
Long time Administrative assistant and daughter to Founder Ted Watkins, Teryl Watkins becomes President of WLCAC.

1996
WLCAC declares new focus on art, culture and technology as a base for further economic development.

WLCAC attracts support of Los Angeles Laker Shaquille O'Neal for Watts area youth programs.
WLCAC purchases 7-acre former Bell Industries site to re-energize local industrial activity.
Unveiling of Mother of Humanity™ bronze sculpture by artist Nijel.
Launched Tell It Theater literacy promotion program for children.
Initiate $2 million renovation project to create the Watts International Marketplace.
Initiate $200,000 renovation project to create the Inner Circle Youth Center.

1998
The Center at WLCAC becomes home base for the "Watts Summer Festival".

1999
WLCAC Launches "Watts Is LA" cultural tourism program.

2000
Long time WLCAC volunteer and son to Founder Ted Watkins, Timothy Watkins becomes President of WLCAC.