Promoting Sustainable Art and Design

     In a society with rampant consumerism where we create so much waste it is rare to find others or businesses that care about the environment or having a positive impact on the community that they are a part of. Recently some businesses have turned from fast fashion to sustainable fashion in which they create limited collections with reclaimed textiles. People are learning to mend in fun ways some of their well-loved items. 

    Remainders Creative Reuse in Pasadena is an art and craft supply store unlike any other. It is a donation center for unused art supplies that can be used by others for less than buying it retail at a regular art supply store. It is a great place to go to and find inspiration in the materials. Just looking through some of the stuff there has helped me look through stuff I have at home differently. Before, I would go to the fashion district in downtown Los Angeles to buy fabric and sewing notions. Now the first place I go to for any sewing or art project is Remainders. Yes, they might not have exactly what I need for a specific project but then that's the time to go to a regular art supply store. although if I am working on a long-term project visiting frequently, I have been able to find exactly what I needed in one of those visits even if I did not find everything at once. 

    Remainders is like an artsy thrift store. Like a thrift store it keeps goods that can still be of use out of landfills. It helps the local community have access to affordable art supplies and create less waste. It also has a second floor where you can rent studio space and tools as well as take classes from sewing to creating sculptures from found objects. 

I really wanted to take pictures of three people and post them on this blog, but it felt unnatural to do so. When I go there, I expect to hear the materials speak to me and tell me what they want to become or at least tell me they have the potential to become something cool through my hands. I could not imagine me interrupting that for someone else. A lady did say hi, so I did kind of start a conversation with her. We talked about how we both attended art school. She is older and said she got pregnant and didn't really pursue a career in the arts but still enjoys creating even if it is just for herself. I did not get her name, but I did get that she is from south Pasadena.

 Thursday, April 18, 2022

The Gentrification of Highland Park

by Seiji Kim

 

The Highland park theater

What is Gentrification?

Have you ever stopped for a minute and really looked at your neighborhood just to realize how different everything is? Many small business that you used to visit are gone, while tons of new ones are opening up. The cost of living in your own area has gone up so much. Some of the old faces you used to see everyday aren't the same ones you see now. With all this occurring, it is like a brave new world that you have to re- navigate once again. 

According to National Geographic, Gentrification is "a clash between the power of private capital... and the power of people in targeted communities to preserve their homes and heritage." 

At times gentrification can be useful to help better a community, yet at the same time we must keep an eye in order to preserve our culture and stories that have came with these places. 

What is the issue?

Highland park is one of the most well known gentrified areas in North east Los Angeles. Back in the 70's Highland park was filled tons with local gang violence. As the years passed, it was decreasing heavily and made room for the current iteration of itself. Nowadays when you walk down the street, it has become a utopia for coffee shops, small business, and many new restaurants and bars. As a result, property value in Highland park has skyrocketed, along with the amount of rent being charged causing many local residents to leave. 

According to The New York Times, "In 2016, Gerard Way, frontman for the band My Chemical Romance, sold his Highland park home...for $1.158 million." In recent years, many homes in Highland park have been listed for $1 million, and above. Many of the locals who have lived here for years and don't own any property have had their rent continuously increased with no way of knowing how long and how high it will reach. 

Additionally, Highland park has always been a diverse neighborhood, originally having a huge chicano based history. Nowadays, a lot of originally murals that have been in the community for years have been wiped clean away. Currently there are only very few that still stand and help preserve the community's  spirit and originality that had come from times past. 

Why is this important?

As someone who is part of the neighborhood and has seen it change a lot overtime, it is very eye opening to see just what exactly has been done. I've been coming to Highland park all my life, seeing some of the old stores I used to go to when I was younger close and re-open as something completely new, seeing so many familiar faces not be in the area anymore, watching as the rent and housing prices have gone so high up that many people are leaving and the heritage and history in a way is leaving with it. It shows how negatively this has affected the neighborhood.

The area has been filled with so many new business such as clothing stores, stationary, candles, and many more. Very few spots such as baller hardware have still continued to keep the old spirt alive, but the question is how long will it be able to last?

I am very fortunate to where my family and I are able to still be within the neighborhood alt this time as everything has changed and prices have increased. The neighborhood has become safer and is still thriving yet at the cost of its original chicano history that is still kept alive but slowly fading away. 

Community Insight

Eric S. (21)

 "Gentrification has affected my friends and family, especially growing up in the area. My dad was evicted from his house in the area in 2018 because of gentrification as well as leasing, property owners, and corporate agencies taking over. Buying houses and taking over, kicking out people who have been here for 30 plus years and have families, as well as their own local businesses in the neighborhood. Tons of restrictions are put up by this and causes it to lose culture, especially in North east Los Angeles."

Work Cited (APA Format)

Bell, C. (2019, November 10). Highland Park: The Complete Guide to La’s hip, historic neighborhood. TripSavvy. https://www.tripsavvy.com/highland-park-los-angeles-4707876 

Kamin, D. (2019, October 22). Highland Park, Los Angeles: A watchful eye on gentrification. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/22/realestate/highland-park-los-angeles-a-watchful-eye-on-gentrification.html 

NA. (2024, April 27). Gentrification. Education. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/gentrification/

 

Remodeling a Community

Remodeling a Community    

by Bryant Lopez

What is gentrification? In short, it has been described as "remodeling a community" or so states student Jocelyn Matias, a long time Boyle heights resident. Jocelyn states how gentrification in Boyle heights has only worsened over the past five years. Mentioning how rent prices have risen significantly for business owners, leaving them to close their doors after years of being in business. 

Jocelyn gives us further insight into a local business near her home that she claims has fallen to gentrification. Referring to the countless amount of owners who have passed through this particular location, each of them struggling to remain open. Now standing as a remodeled dispensary, she claims it will only continue to raise property taxes and further push local business owners away. 

Similarly, another local resident Patrica Vazquez, and my long time neighbor shares her thoughts on gentrification and its effects on our community. Patricia much like many of my neighbors is hispanic, and claims that gentrification is especially hard for her because "it feels like we are being kick out by raising the rent prices." 

Moreover, city council man Kevin de Leon has also commented on the situation as rent continues to rise in small communities such as Boyle heights. Stating "Boyle Heights, like many historic working-class neighborhoods, has been grappling with the increasing detrimental impacts of gentrification, which has forced low-income Latino families out of their homes and threatened the very essence of this vibrant community." 

Aside from being born and raised in Boyle heights, it is also important to me that the culture within my community stays alive. As our community has always been filled with so much culture. Whether it's through food from local mom and pop shops or through cultural landmarks such as El Pino. Nonetheless, as gentrification continues to push its way through Boyle heights, it has also pushed away some of the culture and local residents.   

Sources (APA Format)

Medina, A. (2022, December 9). Special issue: Gentrification divides boyle heights. Boyle Heights Beat. https://boyleheightsbeat.com/gentrification/

Los Angeles City Council approves the Boyle Heights Community Plan Update, marking the most progressive, anti-gentrification community plan in LA history. City of Los Angeles, Council District 14. (2023, December 13). https://councildistrict14.lacity.gov/news/los-angeles-city-council-approves-the-boyle-heights-community-plan-update-marking-the-most-progressive-anti-gentrification-community-plan-in-la-history/#:~:text=Boyle%20Heights%2C%20like%20many%20historic,essence%20of%20this%20vibrant%20community.

How Covid Changed Our Lives

How COVID Changed Our Lives

By Tessa Gilbert

April 17, 2024

My Story:

As a beginning college student when covid came to light, I was lucky enough to have graduated High School and stepped foot on my college campus before everything was flipped upside down. Whether it be mental health and social lives, the shutdowns, or the changing aspects of our lives like masks and quarantines. I have decided to interview students who went through the same experience and how it has changed their lives since. 

 During the transition to online schooling, I moved back in with my parents. Life as I knew it had changed permanently. I moved back to Santa Barbara where I left off and worked through COVID. If it weren't for living with some of my best friends I would have struggled much more. Others were not so lucky. Stores were shut down, societies were forced to have a curfew, and many lost loved ones. Mental health took a huge toll during these times when we were all so confused and at odds with one another. I was able to interview two of my friends to examine how their realities differed from mine. 

The sudden lockdowns turned what was supposed to be the best years of our young adult lives into something completely unrecognizable. One moment we were planning spring break trips and midterm study sessions, and the next, everything was about packing up dorms and heading back to live with our parents indefinitely. The whole rhythm of college life—the late-night study sessions, the cafeteria hangouts, the weekend parties—all of it vanished overnight. It wasn’t just about missing out on these rites of passage; it was about losing a critical part of our social development and independence at a pivotal moment in our lives.

Adjusting to studying from home was one thing, but losing that spontaneous interaction with peers hit harder. No more bumping into friends on the way to class or making plans on the fly. Instead, every social interaction had to be planned and happened on a screen. Friendships were maintained over text messages and video calls, which helped but couldn’t fully replace being together in person. This shift didn’t just change our study habits; it altered the very way we connected with each other, leading to feelings of isolation and making it even tougher to cope with the global uncertainty around us.

The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in global lockdowns and widespread school closures, putting immense mental strain on children and college students alike. A comprehensive review of the literature on PubMed and Collabovid from January 2020 to July 2021 uncovered significant findings from twenty-one studies that highlighted increased feelings of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and distress among these young populations, compared to pre-pandemic times. Notably, those residing in rural areas, from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, or connected to healthcare workers faced even greater mental health challenges. These insights emphasize the urgency for educational and mental health professionals to consider these factors when planning future hybrid teaching models and mental health interventions.

The pandemic not only disrupted educational norms but also significantly isolated young people from their social circles and traditional learning environments, exacerbating mental health issues. This situation has sparked a vital conversation about integrating face-to-face learning with digital platforms to better support students' mental health, particularly those more vulnerable to social isolation. As the academic and health communities continue to navigate these changes, the importance of maintaining social connections and addressing the unique challenges faced by students in rural or underprivileged settings has become increasingly clear. Such efforts are crucial in preventing long-term psychological impacts as students adapt to new educational landscapes post-pandemic.

      Sophie's Story

"When the pandemic hit and everything shut down, it felt like my college life was put on pause. Suddenly, all the small things I took for granted—the spontaneous meet-ups with friends, the late-night pizza runs, even just walking to class with my roommate—were stripped away."

"The hardest part, though, was not being able to see my family, especially my grandmother. We were very close, and it pained me not to visit her when she might have needed company the most. Our weekly visits turned into phone calls. While I was grateful for the technology that allowed us to stay in touch, those calls couldn't replicate the warmth of our hugs or the joy of our laughter echoing through her living room. I missed her terribly, and each day apart reminded me of the precious moments we were losing, moments we couldn’t get back. This lack of physical connection, not just with her but with all my loved ones, brought a profound sense of isolation that was hard to shake off. It was a period of my life where everything felt overwhelmingly distant and uncertain."

       Phoenix's Story

      

"My life changed during COVID-19 since I graduated high school in 2020. I didn't get to walk at graduation, I got my first taste of online school, and I started working at a grocery store. Shortly after finishing out my senior year, I quit my job at the grocery store and started working at a finished carpentry and cabinet shop. The new world that was emerging was hard to live in, with friends being sick, having to take COVID tests just to go to work, and family members falling ill. I found myself struggling to feel a sense of community, I also felt a real disconnect from my education."

Sources Cited 

Elharake, J. A., Akbar, F., Malik, A. A., Gilliam, W., & Omer, S. A. (2022, January). Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 among Children and College Students: A Systematic Review. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved April 12, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8747859/c

The difficulties of Neurodivergent Adults

I chose to focus on the difficulties we neurodivergent adults go through and the difficulties trying to live a “normal” life albeit the challenges we have compared to some of our neurotypical peers. Being autistic myself, along with many of my friends and family members who live with similar mental disorders, I wanted to bring awareness to this topic.

During my teen years, I was fairly open about my autism and struggles, but now as a 25-year-old adult, it's getting more and more difficult to talk about. It's common to think of neurodivergent people as kids/teens as opposed to adults on the spectrum, or even when they do it's often specific fairly known characters like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, Forest Gump, The Good Doctor, etc. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing but it also shows how little people know about our struggles in the adult world. Even reality shows like Love on the Spectrum show a very weird perspective on their depiction of adults on the spectrum, often showing them to be childlike and naive.

 

Aside from that even just getting the proper accommodations and support was already difficult enough in the pre-adult world but what about afterwards? Just trying to get a job that fits your needs is hard enough, and when you're unable to hold down a job, you have access to benefits like SSI (Supplemental Security Income/Social Security), which even has a long list of restrictions. 

    

SSI alone is not enough to cover rent on an apartment let alone basic needs per month. You can't have over $2000 in your bank account, and the checks either get lessened or canceled altogether if you decide to marry, move out, and/or get a job. You have to constantly go through so many doctors, lawyers, and courts just to get help from the government.

Some guardians even take advantage of neurodivergent adults' resources. One very famous example is Britney Spears and Amanda Bynes, who is an example of being put under conservatorship, something that is meant to be used as a way to PROTECT an adult with disabilities who cannot take care of themselves. As we’ve seen with Britney Spears, it’s incredibly hard to get away from the conservator, and could take years just trying to prove you don’t need conservatorship. 

And even then think of the ones who are non-verbal and aren’t able to communicate, also many recorded cases of them being taken advantage of because of their disadvantages and not being able to speak out about the abuse they are going through by the hands of caretakers, fellow “peers”, teachers, etc. This is one of my biggest fears for my younger brother, George,  who is also Autistic like me, the only difference is he is nonverbal and can only communicate with an iPad and say a few short words. He's trusting and kind to everyone and I’m scared how someone might come and take advantage of him for that when we aren’t around to look out for him. 

To cap this off, yes, we have come a very long way compared to how it was a decade ago but we also still have a long road ahead of us, until we truly get the proper support we need. 

----------------------------

Community Statements: 

I think I had a very different experience growing up than a lot of neurodivergent people, as my parents saw my signs of autism early and knew people who could help me. I was still slow to learn specific social cues, but still quick enough that I could be able to function in my own living space. But I still dealt with a lot of problems while I was moving. My first full-time job had to cut my hours and it was very hard to pay rent. My mental health was in a rough place, and I think my autism accelerated my emotions during that time. I had to see therapists and start taking meds to deal with the problems I was facing. But thankfully it helped and I am in a better place, emotionally and financially. I think a lot of the experiences and emotions I went through would be understandable for anyone, even those who are neurotypical. -Cooper Berella

I was diagnosed with ADHD and Autism when I was 5. At first, I never noticed it, I was still a kid with many unrealistic dreams but when in 3rd grade, I realized how different I was. I was treated differently, it doesn't help that most of my childhood life I spent in a disability program and instead of going to fun trips or parks, I went to many speech therapies and correction meet-ups. That was when it hit me, I am not a normal child. I was mentally, emotionally, physically, and sexually abused, and that was just elementary school. In middle school not only i was dealing with my hormones but also dealing with many lashes from special ed teachers that made me feel so unwelcomed. I was still reeling with the same issues plus many more. My trust was abused a lot, i try to be as normal as I can but after now learning how to speak properly enough, it is still hard for me to speak out loud or in a simple sentence. Because of that, I was a target of bullying. I got it a few times in elementary school but middle school was on another level. At that time, I was beginning to have dark thoughts and desires like suicide but only got as far as just Self Harm. High school came and I believe at that time, I was surprised I survived it. Many special ed teachers never took their job seriously, and my mental health got worse when I had to deal with so much, I wished I could get any type of health but I do not have any emotional help, if I go to my friends I feel like a burden to them. I felt defenseless and alone with my mental health. senior year it felt like it finally came my way. I improved in school when I had a teacher who finally took her work seriously. I felt at ease, I focused on school more, and felt more happy. When I graduated I cried a lot not just for leaving high school but because I was now entering the real world. However life wasn't done with me, my mental health went south when one of my closest cousins was killed in an accident. I cried so much that it felt so numb, a week later I was thrown into college, my health was so low that I couldn't even think of anything so I let my parent do all the talking and handling while I was told that my mental health gotten worse by my doctor to the point I now have to take medication. I started college life and it was challenging but it was pleasant. I was mentally in my game and I was working so much better until the pandemic came. Not only did it take my freedom but my loved ones and my spirit. I felt alone, trapped in the house without any scenes of comfort. When I turned 20, I was harassed online by a YouTuber, i went threw a painful and long panic attack. I was scared, I finally saw how bad it was, i was paralyzed with fear, watching my body go stiff and my hands shaking, i was so scared but I didn't want to cry on my birthday so I suffered alone. when I went to the doctor I told her to put me on meds and I took them for a while. I don't see any changes but according to my parents, they see me as more engaging, not a dramatic change though as I was still struggling a lot. I think the hardest was getting on top of taking my meds on time and reminding myself that did it, easier said than done as i did overdose a few times but never too much to land me in jail. Currently, I'm still in college, taking one step at a time, I'm hoping I can graduate next semester without any issues. I'm not struggling with perfection anymore, just anything to pass my class. I still struggle with my disability a lot but it's getting harder and harder, sadly back on taking meds which I swore I wouldn't get back into. I accept more of myself and become someone that I want to be instead of what people want me to be. - Kitty Estrada

Sources: 

• https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/24/opinion/investing-in-helping-adults-with-autism.html

• https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/06/opinion/sunday/adult-autistic-and-ignored.html

• https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/13/us/disability-reveal.html

• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325239#Independence-and-looking-forward

• https://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/social-life-blog/2015/sep/16/autism-as-an-adult-on-the-many-days-i-spend-alone-i-forget-how-to-talk

 Stop Human Trafficking 

  By: Esther Argueta 

What is human trafficking you might ask? Well the definition of it would be the exploitation of humans whether it be adults or children for the use of either labor or sexual purposes. It's saddening to think that we will in a world where no one is safe to even walk the streets in their own communities. This has to come to an end as we all deserve to live in peace knowing that we will not be trafficked to meet needs of others whether it is in a labored way or sexual way. 

Why is the topic important? 

"Sex trafficking encompasses the range of activities involved when a trafficker uses force, fraud, or coercion to compel another person to engage in a commercial sex act or causes a child to engage in a commercial sex act." Well it is sorrowful to know that so many children and adults have to endure the suffering of being misused because of people who have dark hearts. There have been so many cases of the disappearances of people due to the fact that they have been kidnapped and sold as slaves. Didn't we already go through this in history when African Americans were being sold by Whites for the same purposes. "3.8 million adults are trafficked for forced sexual exploitation and 1.0 million children are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation. (ILO, 2017)" There have been way too many countless cases of people who have noticed signs of being followed from a place to their car. Women are now fearful to walk anywhere by themselves or with their children because of the simple fact that they don't know the intentions of the people around them. There are so many ways that humans are trafficked everyday, even the reasoning that seem " innocent" in the eyes of others is so wrong. Like for example, when families sell their daughters off to a way older man to meet their own needs not caring about what will happen to their daughters. Imagine how much of a careless parent you have to be to give up your child just so you can get that little bit of money. For others it sometimes is a necessity as they know that the only way they will survive is sending off their children to a wealthy family. 

Why is it important to me?

As someone who will be working in the law enforcement field, I have also been so exposed to how many cases of human trafficking there is known, and how many of them we actually have no clue about. It is sickening that there are people who live with themselves knowing they believe they have the right to act inhumane towards human. To think that in so many countries nationwide there are so many people who are being exploited and treated incorrectly into working hard jobs because they know that's the only way they can earn a living. Like who gave these people the right to do this? Who made them believe that not everyone deserves the right to be treated correctly? Slavery was abolished so many years ago, and yet there are still people using adults and children as their personal workers to do things to satisfy them. No human has to endure this suffering at all. 

On the other side of human trafficking, this is probably one of the hardest topics to discuss about which is the use of children for sexual pleasures. It is heartbreaking to think and know that there are children being sold around the world for people to have their "personal fun" with them for the rest of their lives. It starts off from babies. Little tiny humans that have been brought upon this world seen as a sexual object and believed to satisfy sexual "needs."  Those voices of those who have been exploited to trafficking or have had experienced almost being need to be heard. There needs to be more awareness for the victims that are still alive, and for those who have lost their lives due to this reasoning. I care about this subject because we need to do better. Better in protecting our communities from this evil. Better in bringing awareness on how we can help prevent adults or children being trafficked. And lastly better in making the world a better place one step at a time. For someone who wants to have children, I don't want to live with that fear that as I am walking down the grocery store with my child that at any given point a perpetrator can come and kidnap us. 

Statistics

- 24.9 million people are victims of forced labor. (ILO, 2017) 

-16 million people are trafficked for forced labor in the private economy. 

(Private economy includes: private individuals, groups, or companies in all sectors 

except the commercial sex industry). (ILO, 2017) 

-4.8 million people are trafficked for forced sexual exploitation. (ILO, 2017)

-4.1 million people are trafficked for forced labor in state-imposed forced labor.

It is estimated that 20.9 million people are trafficked worldwide. (ILO, 2017)

Community 

I went around one of my couple friends who had their first born baby to see their persecutive in this topic. Josie Ortega is a 29 year old first time mother who loves her child so dearly, and would stop at nothing to protect her daughter. She brought up the attention of the fact that this world has just become a scary place to bring a child into. Josie has brought up an incident of one time being with her husband at a mall walking around when all of a sudden a random lady came up to them asking them very random questions about the baby. She instantly went into mom mode, and made sure the lady didn't come to close as she didn't know her intentions as to why she was so interested in her baby. Even though the lady after ended up walking away because she gave her the cold shoulder, she explained to me how you never know. We live in such a place where people have now just grabbed babies from their stroller. 

Micheal Ortega who is her husband shared on that fact that as someone who works with children everyday, is so angry that people can be so inhumane to their own kind.  He as a father always thinks of his daughter and the ways that he can protect her from this evil world. He finds it quite disappointing that this crime has still not be able to be shut down due to so much corruption in our own justice system. He was really inspired to learn more about the topic of child trafficking after watching the movie " Sound of Freedom" which gave insight in the trafficking ring that they had in Columbia, and how they went to go rescue so many children from their perpetrators. Josie and Micheal don't wish this upon anyone, and hope that the world can become a better and safer place for their daughter to grow up in. 

Work Cited 

Human trafficking statistics & facts. Safe Horizon. (2024, April 8). https://www.safehorizon.org/get-informed/human-trafficking-statistics-facts/ 

Understanding human trafficking - united states department of state. Understanding Human Trafficking . (2023, December 12). https://www.state.gov/what-is-trafficking-in-persons/ 

The Lack of Financial Literacy

The Lack of Financial Literacy

By:

Arlissa Cardenas 

What is Financial Literacy?

The lack of financial literacy is the limited understanding of knowledge of financial concepts, principles, and products. Individuals with lack of financial literacy may struggle to manage their personal finances, make financial decisions, and to plan for their future. When it comes to Financial Literacy, many people don’t know about Life Insurance. Life Insurance is an important aspect of financial planning that often gets overlooked. Did you know that 42% of Hispanics have life insurance. Why is that you might think? It could be the language barriers, cultural differences, and the overall knowledge of what it is. There is a lack of education in the Hispanic community about life insurance. Increasing financial literacy about life insurance involves breaking down these barriers through education, awareness, and clear communication about its importance and benefits in financial planning. In this blog, I will be informing my readers about life insurance. How it works?Why is it important? and more. 

What is Life Insurance?

Life Insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company where you pay premiums in exchange for financial protection for your beneficiaries in the event of your death. This provides a sum of money, known as the death benefit, to your chosen beneficiaries upon your passing. There are different types of life insurance policies, including term life insurance, which covers you for a specific period, and permanent life insurance, such as whole life or universal life, which provides coverage for your entire life as long as premiums are paid. Life Insurance is designed to provide financial security and peace of mind to your loved ones by helping them cover expenses and maintain their standards of living after you’re gone.

Why is Life Insurance Important?

Life Insurance is important for several reasons:

1. Financial Protection: It provides a financial safety net for your loved ones in case of your untimely death, which helps covering expenses like funeral cost, mortgage payments, debts, and everyday living expenses.

2. Income Replacements: If you are the primary breadwinner in your family, life insurance can replace your income to ensure your family can maintain their standard of living. 

3. Debt Repayment: Life Insurance can help pay off outstanding debts such as mortgages, car loans, and credit card debit, relieving your family from financial burdens.

4. Education Expenses: It can also fund your children’s education expenses, ensuring they have access to quality education even if you’re no longer around. 

5. Estate Planning: Life Insurance can facilitate the transfer of wealth to your beneficiaries, providing liquidity to cover estate taxes and other expenses without the need to sell assets. 

6. Peace of Mind: Knowing that your loved ones will be financially secure in the event of your death can provide peace of mind and reduce stress during difficult times.

Overall, life insurance is the foundation of any financial plan. With the right policy and the right sum assured, one can plan and build the future of their family without worrying about whether they would be present in person to witness it or not.

How does Life Insurance work?

Before you get a life insurance contract, there are several factors that determine the quotes which include:

• Age

• Gender

• Health/Medical History

• Coverage 

• Type of life insurance

The younger and healthier you are, the better your quotes will be.

Your beneficiaries will receive a death benefit only if your policy is in-forced when you pass away- meaning you have paid the required premiums while you’re alive. The death benefit can be used for any purpose your beneficiaries choose which often includes: 

• Paying for living expenses that were covered by the insured.

• Paying off credit cards, medical bills,etc 

• Paying off funeral expenses

• Funding children's college tuitions

Does Life Insurance have living benefits?

Yes, many life insurance policies include living benefits. Living benefits provide you with financial support while you are still alive, typically in the event of qualifying illnesses, injury, or disability. Some common types of living benefits in life insurance include:

1. Accelerated Death Benefit: Policyholders can receive a portion of the death benefit if they are diagnosed with a terminal illness.

2. Critical Illness Benefit: Such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke can receive a lump sum payment 

3. Long Term Care Rider: Provides coverage for nursing home care or home assistance

4. Chronic Illness Rider: Access a portion of the death benefit if they are diagnosed with chronic illness. 

Living Benefits can provide financial support during challenging times, allowing the policyholders to maintain their independence. 

Why is this important to me?

The topic of life insurance is important to me because throughout my life some of my family members have passed away and we have held car washes and GoFund Me’s for them but it still did not help financially. I have seen some of my family members struggle to gather money to help pay for the funeral expenses and although my family comes together and donate money sometimes it's still not enough. A funeral in California cost around $7,225 not all car washes and go fund me to raise that much money. Now that my parents have life insurance it gives me peace of mind to know that I won’t struggle to have a nice funeral for them both. My mom’s father passed away when I was around 3-4 years old and still till this day he doesn’t have a headstone because during that time my mom and her brother were the only two to help cover the funeral cost and all they could afford was to bury him. This pains me because every time she tries to visit him she can’ find where he is buried because he has no headstone and knowing that life insurance could’ve helped paid for the headstone and more but during that time they didn’t know about life insurance makes me want to make sure that both of my parents are covered if anything were to happen to them. 

Why did I choose this Topic?

I choose to talk about Life Insurance reflecting on the lack of financial literacy because not everyone is aware of it and how it can benefit you along the way and not just when you pass away. Financial literacy education often focuses on basic budgeting, saving, and investing, overlooking specific topics like life insurance. Did you know that only 52% of Americans report owning Life Insurance, 30% of Americans say they need life insurance but don't have it yet, and more than 100 million Americans are uninsured or underinsured when it comes to life insurance. It is important because it addresses aspects of financial planning, risk management, and ensuring the well being of your loved ones both now and in the future. 

Need a Life Insurance Agent? 

(Contact either or and mention Arlissa Cardenas recommended them to you!)

Angel Arceo: Phone Number: (323) 614-2865 

Christian Arceo: Phone Number: (323) 712-7899 

Community Response:

Christian Arceo 

Why do you think it is important for the community to know about life insurance?

• It’s important to know because if you were to build a home, what’s the most important part of a home? It’s a foundation. Having life insurance is the fundamental vehicle to build your future.

How has Life Insurance impacted your life?

• I’ve been learning about insurance for the past 8 years and the lack of awareness is impactful. When I was 22 years old my father was diagnosed with a terminal illness after being taken by surprise and experiencing chest pain. He went for a physical check up and was hit with the news that he only had 4 months to live. This is something very common; it happens in families when the bread winner becomes disabled, ill or unable to provide due to loss of income coming in. Luckily my father was responsible enough to look into life insurance 2 years prior to being diagnosed and was able to accelerate benefits while being alive. Today life insurance is a new way of insurance. There's so many options today from somebody being able to contribute $40-$50 for a million dollars of protection to someone being able to guarantee their money back if nothing happens to them. There’s far greater loss by not having a policy in place then the couple dollars and you will put aside to have one.

Works Cited:

Kilroy, Ashley. “How Does Life Insurance Work?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024, www.forbes.com/advisor/life-insurance/how-it-works/.

Lamberg, Erica. “How Much Does the Average Funeral Cost? | Time Stamped.” Time, Time, 29 Feb. 2024, time.com/personal-finance/article/how-much-does-the-average-funeral-cost/#how-much-is-the-average-funeral-cost. 

Lobb, Jennifer. “Life Insurance Statistics and Industry Trends 2024.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 19 Mar. 2024, www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/life-insurance/life-insurance-statistics/. 

Omololu, Dr. Enoch. “Why Life Insurance Is Worth Your While at Any Age.” Life Happens, 21 Mar. 2023, lifehappens.org/blog/why-life-insurance-is-worth-your-while-at-any-age/. 

Singh, Sarbvir. “Why Is Life Insurance Important?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 15 Nov. 2023, www.forbes.com/advisor/in/life-insurance/why-is-life-insurance-important/.