May 14, 2025 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

New Los Angeles Nonprofit Charting a Positive Way Forward for a City on the Brink

The founders of Envision L.A., a new 501(c)(4) nonprofit based in Mar Vista, have a simple goal: Bring sanity, humanity, and accountability back to L.A. politics.

“We’re part of something bigger,” says Founder and Chairman Demetrios Mavromichalis. “Los Angeles has been in a downward spiral for two decades. What’s different now is folks are starting to take back their city from corrupt politicians and special interests. They’re engaged like never before.”

Envision L.A. was inspired in part by Angelenos’ response to the COVID-19 crisis. From Wilmington to Santa Clarita, Santa Monica to Big Bear Mountain, the people of the City and County of Los Angeles got to work. They started food banks and clothing drives, organized neighborhood watches and community-based groups doing good work in their own backyards. In the process they confirmed what makes Los Angeles such a special place for all of us.

Envision L.A.’s mission is to provide those individuals and groups with resources – including funding and professional support – to bring their efforts to the next level. Indeed, Mr. Mavromichalis was part of that renaissance: When the crisis forced him to temporarily shutter his restaurants, he repurposed the supply chain and helped co-found NourishLA. Every week they provide fresh, restaurant and garden quality food to more than 2,000 Angeleno families.

“The people of Los Angeles have prevailed over enormous hardships the last few years,” says Envision L.A. Director and grassroots veteran John Russo. “From the homeless crisis and crime wave to policies that often seem intended to drive people into desperation.” He helped get Envision L.A. off the ground when he realized the lessons he’d learned winning fights at the local level – including reversing Councilman Mike Bonin’s disastrous road diets in Playa del Rey – had even wider applicability.

Envision L.A. built a grassroots network even before formally launching, connecting neighbors and groups across council districts and across the city. In the coming weeks and months the group will expand that network by sponsoring local beautification and public service projects and helping neighborhood groups remedy bad public policies. Mavromichalis sums it up: “Our message is simple: You are not alone. The saying is that Los Angeles is 88 suburbs in search of a city. Envision L.A. is building that city, maybe for the first time.”

Related Posts

Venice Student Exhibition Honors Incarcerated Japanese Americans Through Photography

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The exhibition is the result of a yearlong project that involved research, interviews, and site visits A new student-led exhibition...

City to Issue Solicitations for Affordable Housing Development at Bergamot Station Arts Center

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Proposals for the Bergamot Station Arts Center must prioritize maximizing affordable housing units while also considering potential artist housing and...

Golf Tournament to Raise Funds for Palisades Charter High School Wildfire Recovery

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The “Raise Pali Golf Tournament” includes a nine-hole game, prize putting contests, and a community reception A community-led golf tournament...

Brentwood Art Center: Creative Art Camps for Kids and Teens this Summer

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The beloved Brentwood Art Center is hosting summer camps at its new location at Olympic & 17th in Santa Monica. ...

Registration Opens for Second Annual Venice Beach Run

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Race organizers promise a festive finish line atmosphere, complete with live DJs, a beer garden, a vendor expo, and giveaways...

Collision at Abbot Kinney & Venice Leads to Injuries, Slows Traffic: REPORT

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The Los Angeles Police Department temporarily closed parts of the intersection  A traffic collision with reported injuries disrupted a major...

Annual Film Awards Show Leaving Santa Monica for Hollywood

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The move marks a major shift for the iconic awards show, long known for its laid-back, seaside atmosphere that distinguished...

Historic Lloyd Wright-Designed Palisades Home Hits Market at $12.9M

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Wright, the son of Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the estate for an Academy-winning composer A historic estate designed by architect...

Saint Monica Prep: Mariner Sports Camps Focus on Fundamentals

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Coaches that led Saint Monica Preparatory’s Mariner sports teams to win league and division titles are offering opportunities for the...

Venice Shorts: VNC Rules & Elections to Present Election Survey Findings

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

The presentation described the voting experience and the overall ease of the election process for residents that participated By Nick...

Santa Monica Pier to Host Final Locals’ Night of the Season on May 15

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

Highlights include a classic car show, free salsa lessons, and performances by punk bands Cycotic Youth and No Reaction The...

Avril Lavigne Partners with Palisades Skate Shop for Sweatshirt Fundraiser

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

The sweatshirt, blending Lavigne’s signature style with Paliskates’ skate culture roots, is on sale Three months after its spotlight moment...

Sunshine Beach Volleyball Camps: Register Open for Summer Camps

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Summer is coming. For young volleyball athletes, that means registration for the Sunshine Westside Beach Camp and South Bay Beach...

World-Class Brew: Santa Monica’s Own Takes Home Top Beer Honors

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Basil, Citrus, and Craftsmanship: See Which Local Brewery Just Won Big Santa Monica Brew Works (SMBW) just took home a...

Group Exhibition “Boulders” Showcases Work by 34 Artists at Arcane Space

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

The exhibition emphasizes “mutual support, collective strength, and an unflinching engagement with this current moment.” A new group exhibition opening...