SCAG Go Human-Funded Partners Recognized by American Planning Association Sections and Chapters
Five Go Human-funded partner projects received awards from the American Planning Association (APA) at the section and state levels in 2026. These projects showcase a diversity of innovative community engagement practices for improving public knowledge of traffic safety.
Latino Health Access: Ride, Walk, & Roll Orange County
APA 2026 Communications Initiative and Outreach Award, Orange County Section
APA 2026, Excellence Award, Communications Initiative and Outreach California Chapter.
The Orange County Section of the APA and the California Chapter of the APA recognized Latino Health Access with the 2026 Award of Excellence in the Communications Initiative and Outreach Award category for their Go Human-funded project, "Ride, Walk, & Roll, Orange County." The project included a three-year educational traffic safety campaign to raise awareness among working-class communities on road safety and infrastructure opportunities.
Reaching over 68,000 people, the project included educational traffic safety videos produced by young community members, engagement facilitated by community health workers/promotoras, distribution of helmets and other safety materials to community members, community mural design and implementation, walking tours, and a temporary traffic safety demonstration project using the Go Human Kit of Parts Lending Library.
Office of: People, Sites of Repair: Methodologies for Collective Healing in High-Injury Intersections
APA 2026 Merit Award, Grassroots Initiative, Los Angeles Section
The Los Angeles Section of the APA recognized Office of: People with the 2026 Award of Merit in the Grassroots Initiative category for their Go Human-funded project Sites of Repair: Methodologies for Collective Healing in High-Injury Intersections. Building upon Office of: People's successful 2017 Vision Zero project along West Adams Boulevard and La Brea Avenue, the project sought to implement reparative design methodologies and interventions at a high injury site in 2024 as a pathway towards community healing, joy, and repair. The project included a demonstration of temporary crosswalks and other infrastructure elements showcasing the need to improve sidewalks to connect with historic businesses along the corridor. The incorporation of storytelling and joyful elements in the design fostered a stronger sense of community and pride, enhancing the overall experience of the public space during the installation process and conversations with community members.
Public Matters: 'The Boo-Boo Bandage Bonanza'
APA 2026 Merit Award, Communications Initiative and Outreach, Los Angeles Section
The Los Angeles Section of the APA recognized Public Matters with the 2026 Award of Merit in the Communications Initiative and Outreach category for their Go Human-funded project The Boo-Boo Bandage Bonanza. The Boo-Boo Bandage Bonanza event in Downtown Los Angeles brought together more than 200 participants to heal everyday "ouchies" on streets, such as broken sidewalks, missing curb ramps, and other hazards, while building momentum for long-term solutions.
This project included a walking tour led by disability rights advocates and a public art activation—the latter identified pedestrian hazards marked with a large, colorful band-aid sticker. Stickers included QR codes creating opportunities for people to submit a report of the broken sidewalk to 311. Community leaders, including a representative from Councilmember Ysabel Jurado's office, held a press conference to address the urgency of traffic safety efforts and identify solutions for long-term infrastructure improvements.
This project's creative advocacy directly engaged with city leaders to facilitate safer streets, particularly for people with disabilities and mobility disabilities. The event and resulting coalition exemplify a successful model for inclusive and creative mobilization around transportation planning issues with the potential for long-term engagement with planning processes.
Riverside University Health System – Pedestrian Safety Campaign
YouTube Video: Go Human and Riverside University Health System Present Pedestrian Safety Campaign
APA 2026 Merit Award, Communications Initiative and Outreach, Inland Empire Section
The Inland Empire Section of the APA recognized Riverside University Health System-Public Health with the 2026 Award of Merit in the Communications Initiative and Outreach category for their Pedestrian Safety Campaign, a 2024 Go Human co-branded messaging project. Riverside University Health System-Public Health partnered with Go Human and National CineMedia to develop and implement a three-month Pedestrian Safety Campaign, in English and Spanish, across 12 movie theaters in San Jacinto, alongside digital and video messaging across Hemet and the Coachella Valley, generating half a million impressions.
Nyeland Promise: Safe Travels in Nyeland Acres
APA 2026 Communications Initiative and Outreach award, Central Coast Section
APA 2026, Excellence Award, Grassroots Initiative, California Chapter
The Central Coast Section of the APA recognized Nyeland Promise with the 2026 Award of Excellence in the Communications Initiative and Outreach Award category for their Go Human-funded project, "Safe Travels in Nyeland Acres." Nyeland Promise conducted the three-year campaign to raise awareness about bicycle and pedestrian safety in Nyeland Acres that led to the permanent installation of seven speed limit signs and three repainted crosswalks in 2025. The traffic safety strategies included a multilingual messaging campaign, bicycle rodeos, a community mural, and a temporary traffic safety demonstration project, showcasing improved safety infrastructure. Nyeland Promise also received the Award of Excellence in the Grassroots Initiative category from the APA California chapter.
Congrats to our Go Human partners on their success and recognition!