UniversityParkFamily.com is a social network site for the neighborhoods around USC and Expo Park.  That means the residents are joining together to create their own local paper, just like they do in small towns.

Already thousands of residents have visited this website looking for information about their community, the area just south of downtown Los Angeles that goes by many names, from South Los Angeles to West Adams. Hundreds have shown pride in their neighborhood by becoming members. Membership has it's privileges, as members can contribute to the site.

UniversityParkFamily.com is kind of like Facebook, in that you can post your status updates easily and quickly to your page. But this site is more powerful, because that content is then aggregated on the front page, so everyone who cares about their local community - neighborhoods around USC and Expo Park - can get a quick read on the news and what's going on right here. That's what we like to call .com unity, the power of community. This ews comes straight from you.

Creating a post is as easy as sending an email (with a much bigger contact list). First you join - click on "Sign Up" button on the right of the screen, a small hurdle. You can even create and customize your own web page. But that's later. Now we're learning to publish.

Create a blog post: Click on the words BLOGS in the menu bar near the top of the screen and to the right.  Then click add a blog post.

Write a headline that describes the most interesting point you will make. Then write a paragraph or two about your event, or your service or your successes or your cause. Remember this is a social network. 

Include a link to your website: Use the mouse to highlight the name of your group, then click the chain link icon just above and type in the full website address.

Add a photo: Click on the icon of a picture next to the chain link icon and choose the photos from your computer. Please follow the rules of your institution when posting photos.

Click Publish. See any mistakes? Don't like the tone. No problem you can edit this post at any time.

Treat this as your Webpage if you don’t have one. And if you do have one, consider this a billboard than can send people to your site if they are interested in what you have to say.

There are a lot of people doing a lot of good things every day in our neighborhood. UniverstiyParkFamily.com is a way to let a lot more people know, which is one step closer to getting involved.