Goal of foundation's grants is integrating immigrants into Southern California life

In Hollywood, the Thai Community Development Corp. will receive $160,000 to help the polyglot neighborhood become an active player in influencing the massive developments planned there. The area's population -- which is 57% foreign-born and whose top native languages are Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Korean and Tagalog -- could be significantly affected by at least a dozen major developments in the works, including the planned Museum of the Motion Picture on Vine Street and Fountain Avenue, said Chancee Martorell, the Thai center's executive director.

The grant will help the Thai center organize the community to work with developers for affordable housing, open space, local hiring, protection of small shops and other benefits, Martorell said.

"We're trying to democratize the planning process so developers don't dictate the terms of it," Martorell said. "Many of our community members have no idea that they can be part of the development process."

Other major grant recipients include the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, which will receive $120,000 for work easing conflicts between Latinos and African Americans in northwest Pasadena. The Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy will get $200,000 to help communities develop supermarkets and jobs in South and East Los Angeles and Sylmar and Pacoima.

The YMCA of Greater Long Beach will receive $120,000 to help increase educational opportunities for immigrant and African Americans youth.

In addition, four other groups will get $25,000 grants each to increase immigrants' access to services. The proposals involve reaching out to Mexican hometown associations, Armenian refugees, immigrant and homeless youth and Tongans, Cambodians and South Asians.

"These people aren't going back," Hernandez said of the immigrants. "This is their new adopted homeland. To the extent we can accelerate their integration, we will improve the quality of life for all residents in our community."

--

teresa.watanabe@latimes.com