The Children's Institute Breaks Ground on New Watts Campus

On January 30, Children’s Institute broke ground on a new Watts Campus designed pro bono by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. The new building will serve as a hub for South Los Angeles families and add an iconic landmark to the historic neighborhood. To celebrate the event, CII held a ceremony attended by 300 guests including Frank Gehry, LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Councilmember Joe Buscaino.

The new building will house critical therapeutic programs, parenting workshops and after-school activities that will serve children and families affected by poverty and intergenerational trauma. The space will also feature a new headquarters for the Watts Gang Task Force and the LAPD Community Safety Partnership.

“The new campus is a permanent commitment to the community of Watts, an architectural landmark and a critical resource for children and families,” said CII President & CEO Martine Singer. “The groundbreaking is the culmination of a lot of hard work, and we couldn’t be more excited to get started.”

Construction of a new 20,000 square foot state-of-the-art community facility is expected to be completed in July 2021. LADF allocated $11 million to The Children's Institute Watts Campus Project.