Non-Profit

OUR MISSION

To help improve the quality of life for survivors and descendants of Palm Springs Section 14. To achieve reparative justice for the community and individuals impacted by the city of Palm Springs Section 14 housing and community destruction.

Vision Statement

Restoring our past and reclaiming our future through reparative justice.

SECTION 14 SURVIVORS, INC.

We are a 501 (c)(3) Organization.

The primary objectives and purposes of this organization is be to be a vehicle of support to help improve the quality of overall life for the Survivors and Descendants, and to assist the community and individuals impacted by the City of Palm Springs Section 14 Housing and Community Destruction.

  • Oversee the purchase or gifting of any land to construct affordable, apartments, self-help housing, cooperative apartments, and modular housing. Thereafter obtain financing and housing developers to implement such housing programs for Descendants (hereinafter called the Descendants), or Survivors wherever possible include mixing income-based housing programs.
  • Offer grants and business loans to Descendants after referring individuals to the Small Business Administration for training and skills development.
  • Offer an annual Life Skills training for the Descendants covering all topics such as homeownership, budgeting, and community (government/non-profit) resources.
  • Offer scholarships to the Descendants upon gainful admission to an accredited college, university, or vocational school.

ADVISORY

BOARD

Kenneth Monteiro, PhD

Kenneth Monteiro, PhD

Dr. Kenneth Monteiro is the Acting Director of the Cesar Chavez Institute; former Dean of the College of Ethnic Studies, the only College of Ethnic Studies in the nation; former University Dean of Human Relations; and, Professor and former chair of the Psychology Department at San Francisco State Dr. Monteiro received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in Experimental Psychology with a specialization in Cognitive Psychology, and his bachelor’s degree cum laude (A.B.) in psychology from Dartmouth College. 

Dieter Crawford

Dieter Crawford

A Descendant of the Palm Springs Section 14 Organization. Dieter is an Entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Urban Palm Springs, Community Activist, Social Justice Advocate, Organizer, Consultant and Outdoorsman.

Laurien Towers

Laurien Towers

Producer, Project Management, Business Consultant, Live Event productions, Creative development and Strategic Planning. Laurien also has extensive experience working internationally with government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

Kris Benz

Kris Benz

Palm Springs Business Owner, Former President/CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce Palm Springs, Former Board Member and Human Rights Commissioner, Palm Springs. Also served as Board Member of the Palm Springs Black History Committee. An Army Veteran, Community Organizer and Palm Springs resident for 23 years. Kris is always striving to help ohers maneuver through Life. 

WHO

Section 14 Survivors – members who lived on Section 14 – aka the Reservation – and experienced the harm.

Descendants – children and grandchildren of residents that lived on Section 14.

WHAT/WHEN

In the early 1960s, the Palm Springs residing Mayor Frank Bogert issued an order to destroy the homes of Section 14 residents. The residents were not given sufficient notice, and many did not receive any notification.

Residents were abruptly forced from their homes; the homes were burned down by the city’s fire department and bulldozed to the ground.

Many residents came home from work and school to find their homes demolished. Over 200 homes were destroyed, contributing to many years of ongoing harm. More information can be obtained about Section 14 in the 1968 Attorney General’s report, which described this action as a “city-engineered holocaust.”

Fast forward 60 years: The city council of Palm Springs recently issued an apology for the housing destruction and the harm done to the Section 14 residents.