Results tagged “citizen journalism project” from Ron Kaye L.A.

Nearly five years ago, I went to work on the kernel of an idea on how to reinvent journalism to serve the community using the technology of the 21st century -- a central place where all of Los Angeles can come to share their knowledge and ideas and learn about what's going on in our city.

 

It started with the launch of the Daily News citizen journalism website valleynews.com and has evolved in the last year into OurLA.org with the help of Internet experts, business and civic leaders and community activists from across Los Angeles.

I'm pleased to announce that Our LA was approved last week to become part of Community Partners, the largest incubator of non-profit community organizations in Los Angeles. It is fully operational but will not be launched until the spring when it is loaded with content.

 

This is really exciting, a dream coming true for me. It is what I set out to do when I left the Daily News in April and started blogging and became a community activist.

 

Operating under Community Partners auspices and with the help of its President and CEO Paul Vandeventer and Senior Program Director Cynthia Freeman who refined the concept of Our L.A., we are now able to seek tax deductible contributions.

 

If you wish to contribute, you may send a check to Community Partners FBO (for the benefit of) Our LA, 1000 North Alameda St., Suite 240, Los Angeles CA  or go to their website and contribute by credit card.

 

Initial funding will allow us to hire staff to load OurLA.org with content from the hundreds of websites and blogs all across the city that deal with issues of community importance.  Volunteers with basic computer skills are welcome and needed. Just write me at ron@ronkayela.com.

 

Our LA is intended to be the Public Square for Los Angeles. I describe it in simplest terms as Huffington Post meets Facebook meets the old Valley News & Green Sheet. It combines citizen journalism with professional journalism, blogs and commentary, video and podcasts, forums and databases.

 

I've prepared a short explanation with more information about Our LA ( OURLA1Page.doc )   and don't be shy about providing me with your ideas and feedback.

 

This is a non-profit because it's meant to belong to the community.

Toward that end we will be creating an advisory board and a series of regional networks who want to be involved in helping to develop this Public Square into a place where the grassroots of civic engagement can grow into a new civic culture for Los Angeles, a place where people of all backgrounds and beliefs can come together and give birth to a new spirit for the city.

The success of Our LA will depend on your participation and the value it brings to you and the community.

Our LA will launch in the spring. Please let me know what you think and your interest in being involved.