At the top floor of The Pico Union Project, notes of “Cielito Lindo” travel through the building. “Ay ay ay ay, canta y no llores”, or “sing and don’t cry,” resonate for the Pico Union neighborhood.
For a moment there is no fear or tension for the community, only music and joy.
The sounds come from ten community members practicing the chords and chorus of the Mexican folk song. The guitar lessons is one of many classes the nonprofit offers to empower the community through arts, culture and music.
Every Wednesday is “Día Cultura” at the Pico Union Project.
Over 60 community members arrive for free guitar lessons, art classes, and more.
All classes are offered in both Spanish and English. Guitar lessons are from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. and art classes are from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. The “Mami Y Yo” classes for mothers are at the same time and held in the center’s temple sanctuary.
Originally built in 1909 as the first Sinai Temple for the Jewish community, the temple has served as home for the Pico Union Project since 2013.
Jackie Barrios, chief operating officer, says the main purpose of these classes is to provide a health and wellness approach to the community by giving them a space to use their voice and be in community.
“All of these services are for the empowerment of the individuals and families that access them,” said Barrios. “It gives them the opportunity to come together as a community and share the challenges they may be going through.”
Aside from the art and music classes, the nonprofit hosts a free weekly farmer’s market that has built up a steady stream of regulars over the years.
Guitar instructor Jason Roberts is grateful members of the community can just show up and begin to learn. The class has up to 25 guitars ready for attendees to grab and play. Many of the members have been showing up for years and greet him with a big smile and a handshake.
“The people really love it, it’s a good way for everybody to get together and talk about what else is going on in their lives,” said Roberts.
He’s seen the sense of identity many young teenagers have found growing as musicians as well as the sense of community many elder members find within the group. He believes it’s important for the neighborhood to have access to these classes for free when private lessons can be so expensive.
He doesn’t want community members to have to decide between essentials like groceries and having access to the arts.
Jorge Alvarez, 73, has been part of the class since it first began and is a caretaker for the Pico Union Project. He describes the confidence growing in the class with every session but admits nervousness when they get the chance to perform in front of audiences.
“There’s no better feeling than doing this work and helping the community. Some people want to rest in their old age but not me, I want to be here,” Alvarez said.
On the first floor, the “Mami Y Yo” class participants are surrounded by radiant stained glass windows with the star of David overlooking the children and their families. The classes are meant to be a stress-relief for parents who can connect and support one another.
They discuss what’s happening in their community and receive some essentials, like diapers and clothing when they’re available.
Barrios wants these classes to cultivate the community’s strengths, especially during a time when so much fear and tension exists in Los Angeles. Despite the fear, many new faces continue to walk through their doors.
“During the time when we had ice raids going on, people still showed up. They felt safe, they felt empowered, they felt they still had a voice,” said Barrios.
Cristina Chiguil has attended multiple classes and thinks it’s important to discuss the fear existing in the community. A lot of mothers are seeing trauma and paranoia in their neighborhoods due to increasing immigration raids.
“They teach us how to react to situations that are happening around us, how to not panic and to be emotionally ready,” Chiguil said about the classes.
While mothers discuss threats and concerns about the neighborhood with other mothers, their children peacefully enjoy art classes right next door, and out of the top floor, music continues flowing out of the windows.
The Pico Union Project
1153 Valencia St.
(213) 915-0084