Membership Matters

Article

An Interview with Helen Tocco

By Gabriela Philo

Image of youn man in checkered shirt and dark trousers.

 

Helen Tocco recently spoke to us about her experience in the Conservancy’s Community Leadership Boot Camp, and why she is a Conservancy member.

Which neighborhood do you live in?

And what makes it distinct? I live in Palms. It is a wonderful walkable community with tons of great restaurants and local businesses, a Metro stop, good freeway proximity, and you can even find street parking here.

You’ve been a Los Angeles Conservancy member since 2018. What compelled you to join?

I learned about the Conservancy when they got involved to try to help save the Tabor House, which was a historic home in Palms. Unfortunately, the building was demolished, but it led me to want to learn more about the Conservancy and L.A. historic buildings.

This Spring, you joined the Community Leadership Boot Camp. What did you get out of the experience?

I am an architect in my day job and I work on historic easement and historic tax credit projects around the country, so I am always looking to expand my learning and the Boot Camp seemed like a great opportunity. I also wanted to learn how to be more prepared to save the few remaining historic buildings in Palms if any more face demolition like the Tabor House did.

You’re on the Board of the Palms Neighborhood Council; why do you think it’s important to be active in neighborhood activities?

L.A. is such a big city that Neighborhood Councils are crucial to help our city government keep tabs on specific local concerns and build community engagement.

Which programs of the L.A. Conservancy do you like and why?

The Conservancy’s walking tours are fun and educational, and I am so happy to see that they are back! The Conservancy has also done a great job with virtual tours and presentations during the pandemic so that we could stay engaged with historic preservation from the comfort of our homes.

Our members love L.A.!

Learn about some of Helen Tocco's favorite historic places in L.A. County.

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