A man passes by the Watts Towers, a signature of South L.A, where since 1990 the population has become predominantly Latino. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
Irene Holguin playfully tosses her 6-month-old son, Jacob Martinez, in the air in front of a friend’s home in Watts, where Holguin has lived for 23 years. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
James, 6, who’s missing a finger as he shows his age with his hand, and brother Jorge, 3, aren’t camera shy. From left, their brother Victor, 14, mother, Remedios Cruz, and father, Victoriano Agustiniano, are in the background. The family moved into the house four years ago. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
Arturo Ybarra, president and founder of Watts/Century Latino Organization, provides programs for youth leadership development and violence prevention. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
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A child runs by the Fountain of Life Missionary Baptist Church in Watts. “There is no denying that there have been some efforts [to revitalize South Los Angeles] that have born fruit, said a UCLA professor who contributed to studies on the neighborhood. But on average the areas are marginalized and still economically on the edge and thats a problem. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
