Stopping hate through Outreach, Awareness, and Reporting (SOAR)

Special Service for Groups, Inc. (SSG) proposes the Stopping hate through Outreach, Awareness, and Reporting (SOAR) program in response to the continued rise in hate incidents/crimes and persistent under-reporting of these incidents in Los Angeles County (LAC), CA. While current resources exist to address and report hate crimes in LAC, there is a need for enhanced outreach, education, and engagement led by trusted, non-government entities to promote awareness of these resources among impacted communities. Additionally, there is also a need to build the understanding and capacity of those most likely to work with hate crime victims, especially law enforcement, to ensure effective responses.

SOAR will convene and engage a collaborative, multi-sector Advisory Group to guide the design and implementation of the program and conduct a needs assessment to inform the development of an outreach and engagement plan. This plan will identify communities at highest risk for experiencing hate incidents/crimes in LAC, key strategies needed to reach and engage members of these communities, and priority stakeholders that are most likely to encounter victims and/or witnesses of hate acts. SSG will then identify and/or develop written materials such as flyers, brochures, posters, and resource cards to provide education on hate acts to identified communities of focus and translate materials in up to four languages. These materials will be used to provide outreach and education to identified communities of focus through participation in on-the-ground, community-based events such as resource fairs, farmer’s markets, and cultural events. As part of a comprehensive approach, SSG will also educate law enforcement and prosecution agencies, as well as other stakeholders who may witness hate incidents/crimes or work with victims, through the delivery of trainings and presentations. Through these activities, SOAR aims to promote awareness of hate incidents/crimes and increase victim reporting among communities at highest risk, as well as increase the capacity of law enforcement and other stakeholders that work with victims and witnesses of hate acts to respond in a culturally competent, trauma-informed manner.

SSG does not currently receive any federal hate crime funding and requests $300,000 over the 3-year project period. As described on page 12 of the Proposal Narrative, SOAR will address Priority 1(A) by promoting the accessibility of linguistically appropriate resources and culturally competent, trauma-informed responses for marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by hate crimes, including Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and LGBTQ+ communities.