Services in Venice Beach California

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the social capital and welfare services in Venice Beach, California. The paper begins by describing the history of the neighborhood of Venice, as well as its demographics. It then looks at the interplay of social systems in Venice and discusses how they show a remarkable community based on social capital, culture and the effects of urban sprawl. It finally suggests that although many programs and services are available to the at-risk population, Venice keeps these members of the community stagnant.

From the Paper:

"The interplay of social systems in Venice show a remarkable community based on social capital, culture, and the effects of urban sprawl. By embracing the image of Venice as a colorful bohemian community, the residents have a focal point that undermines homelessness as an unseemly problem, instead describing it as an asset of added diversity in the community (J. Hoffman, personal communication, August 23, 2007). The social capital of the homeless population bolsters the community's reputation as "different" and becomes a unifying attribute for the community members. Jack V. Hoffman, a long time resident of Venice, community activist, and successful broker for Venice Properties expressed, "What makes Venice great is the collision of interests. Social strata and isolation, crime is our best filter, the threat pushes members of Venice closer together" (J. Hoffman, personal communication, August 23, 2007). According to Robert D. Putnam (2000, chap. 1), "bonding social capital supports reciprocity and solidarity in the community." Putnam (2000, chap.1) differentiated between different forms of social capital, multi stranded networks and episodic single stranded: "The gangs are a community of their own and a response to poverty. Everyone fights and then they all go to dinner together" (J. Hoffman, personal communication, August 23, 2007)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Dreier, P., Mollenkope, J., & Swanstrom, T. (2001). The costs of economic segregation and sprawl. Place Matters: Metropolitics for the twenty-first century. University Press of Kansas.
• Hall, C. (2007). Jack Hoffman-The price of loving Venice. Los Angeles Times Magazine.
• Putnam, R.D. (2000). Thinking about social change in America. Bowling Alone: The collapse and revival of American community. New York: Simon and Schuster.
• Venice Chamber of Commerce (2006). Venice Demographics. Retrieved August 23, 2007, from http://venicechamber.atiba.com/demo.html
• Westland Network (1997). Birth of Venice America. Retrieved August 28, 2007, from http://www.westland.net/venice/history.html

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