Long Beach Health Department to Support Safe and Healthy Summer Activities by Providing $67,000 to 27 Nonprofit Partners

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - As part of the City of Long Beach's S.T.R.O.N.G. Beach (Standing Together to Reach Our Next Generation) effort, part of the Summer of Opportunity initiative, the Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) Advancing Peace Initiative will award approximately $67,000 to 27 organizations to host events that promote safety, social connection, healthy neighborhoods and/or economic development in Long Beach this summer.

"These programs embody Long Beach and our commitment to fostering a vibrant, connected and thriving city. S.T.R.O.N.G. Beach Summer focuses on creating safe, enriching and inclusive events for all our residents," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "We are proud to have these 27 organizations join our effort to providing a safe and healthy summer."

The Long Beach Advancing Peace Steering Committee, which includes nonprofit leaders, neighborhood associations, resident leaders and City staff, assisted in developing the application, eligibility criteria, and selection process for free summer activation events. An overview of events is below with detailed event information, including times, available on the City's Summer Activities calendar.

July

• Mind-1-1: A Summer of Mental Fitness. Four events, each with one physical activity and one mindful component. Beginning Saturday, July 13, at Bluff Park (2500 E. Ocean Blvd.).
• Developing Future Leaders: Unity in the Community Multicultural Festival. Saturday, July 20, at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.).
• Long Beach Filipino Festival: A&F Market Westside Mural Celebration. Saturday, July 20, at A & F Market (2569 Santa Fe Ave.).
• BOSS, Inc.: BOSS Summer Academy. Summer enrichment programs for people grades 6 to 10. July 22 through August 2 at California State University Long Beach (1250 Bellflower Blvd.).

August

• CityHeART Inc.: Summer Art Camp. Beginning Friday, Aug. 2, at 2291 W. Williams St.
• Hoops After Dark/California Youth Empowerment Service: Hoops After Dark Skills Camp. Aug. 2 and 3 at Nelson Academy (1951 Cherry Ave.).
• DIG LIFE dba Dreamz into Goals: DIG LIFE's 4th Annual Backpack Giveaway & Bike Repair/Raffle. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Cesar Chavez Park (401 Golden Ave.).
• Success in Challenges, Inc.: Youth Empowerment & Community Resource Fair. Backpack and school supply giveaway and resource fair. Friday, Aug. 16, at Davenport Park (2910 E. 55th Way).
• California Aquatic Therapy & Wellness Center, Inc. (Pools of Hope): Back-to-School Health Fair and Fun Fest. Saturday, Aug. 17, at Pools of Hope (6801 Long Beach Blvd.)
• One in Long Beach, Inc. (LGBTQ Center Long Beach). Celebrating the art of drag and LGBTQ+ art. Saturday, Aug. 24, at The Center (2017 4th St.).
• KLBRI: Sana Sana- A Grassroots Community Healing Pop-Up. Saturday, Aug. 24, at Cesar Chavez Park (401 Golden Ave.).
• AHN Foundation: Sounds of a Stress-Free Summer. Yoga, sound healing and empowerment activities. Saturday, Aug. 24, at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.).
• Cornucopia Services: Promoting Peace and Education: A Back-to-School Celebration for Gang Violence Prevention at Springdale West. Tuesday, Aug. 27 and Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the Springdale West apartments (2095 W. Spring St.).

September

• The VIP Family Foundation: Beauty, Brains and Beats Workshop. Mentorship from women in the music industry. Saturday, Sept. 7, at VIP Records (1028 Pacific Coast Hwy.).
• Washington Neighborhood Association: Tardeada Musical. Saturday, Sept.14, at Cedar Avenue & West 14th Street.
• Puente Latino Association: Hispanic Heritage Celebration. Friday, Sept. 20
• Free + True Brand: Family Day of Movement. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.).
• Justice for Homicide Victims: National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims Ceremony. Sunday, Sept. 22, at Rosie's Dog Beach (5000 E. Ocean Blvd.).
• Renaissance High School for the Arts' Parents for the Arts (PARTS): Noche Latina. Celebrating Latin culture. Friday, Sept. 27, at Renaissance High School (235 E. 8th St.).
• Justice For Murdered Children: Cries From the Hood. A musical addressing youth violence. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Grace A.M.E. Church (1129 Alamitos Ave.).
• The Children of Khalifa Aboriginal Tribe, Inc.: Unity in Peace: Indigenous Dialogue Circle and Rally. Monday, Sept. 30, at Bluff Park (2500 E Ocean Blvd.).

The Made New Foundation is planning a Shoe Giveaway where they will offer free shoes to youth for school, college or work. The event will also feature educational opportunities and for individuals to transform their lives and forge a new path forward. Specific date and location to be announced.

Long Beach recently announced its Summer of Opportunity initiative, a collective impact approach focused on fostering positive development among Long Beach youth while simultaneously addressing youth violence. Highlights of Summer of Opportunity activations to support local youth during the summer months, and the City's Summer Activities calendar, is available here.

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