“The Force Is in Our Union”: Church-Based Environmental Advocacy Training and Neighborhood Change in East Los Angeles

There is limited evidence regarding strategies that policymakers can use to revitalize neighborhoods without contributing to displacement, particularly those involving community advocacy. This study examines how a sample of Latino Catholic parishioners in eastern Los Angeles perceive their role in neighborhood change before and after participating in a park environmental advocacy training. Two groups with 16 participants (85% women, median age 68) of a faith-based physical activity intervention received a two-day training. The training involved conducting a park audit to identify environmental issues and developing advocacy plans to engage local decision-makers. Participants completed pre- and post-training surveys (n = 12) on advocacy knowledge and post-training interviews (n = 13; 85% in Spanish) on perceptions of advocacy, neighborhoods, and the training. Interviews were analyzed using a reflexive thematic approach. Participants reported general barriers to advocacy such as lack of time, knowledge, and distrust of government officials. General facilitators included past advocacy success and social responsibility. Although survey results showed no statistically significant change in advocacy knowledge post-intervention, interviews revealed increased social cohesion and motivation to engage in future advocacy. Participants described how advocacy could improve neighborhood cohesion and satisfaction. Findings support community-led advocacy as a strategy to advance health and environmental equity in revitalizing Latino neighborhoods.