Nonprofit organizations are vital ingredients in the growth and good health of communities. A diverse array of nonprofits operate in Long Beach, touching almost every aspect of our city by being engaged in many causes.
The online fundraising and marketing campaign Long Beach Gives is making a huge difference in the support these organizations receive. Last year, Long Beach Gives raised over two million dollars for 244 local nonprofits! As Long Beach Gives begins its new season today, we are pleased to introduce you to several Downtown nonprofits that are participating in Long Beach Gives. If you would like to donate, click the link at the top of this paragraph or on an organization’s name below.
LONG BEACH COMMUNITY DESIGN CENTER
Photo provided by LBCDC website
Long Beach Community Design Center (LBCDC) provides pro bono architecture and urban planning services to low-income, underserved communities in Long Beach. LBCDC also offers youth engagement programs, specifically targeting careers in urban planning and design, to help kids pursue careers in those areas.
“We feel that these are very important programs that Long Beach Gives can help us support and continue to grow,” said LBCDC Founder and Executive Director David Salazar. “Long Beach Gives provides a platform to reach and network with other Long Beach nonprofits. Also, it’s a vehicle to seek financial support for our programs.
“It’s important for people to donate, because right now we’re the only organization that provides pro bono architectural services and related youth programs in Long Beach,” Salazar continued. “We’re investing strongly in youth and providing them with opportunities in areas they may not have considered yet.”
Salazar went on to mention a new, paid urban planning and design internship program, offered by the City of Long Beach, in which LBCDC is a partner. Students can apply through Sept. 19. Learn all the details in this City press release.
SOWING SEEDS OF CHANGE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION & VOCATIONAL CENTER
Long Beach Fresh Events with Sowing Seeds of Change
Partners Lindsay Smith and Dina Feldman have created a lush urban farm setting in the midst of a concrete jungle.
“It’s a nurturing space where youth can practice soft job skills, learn the basics of urban farming and culinary skills, and connect with our community in a meaningful way through our monthly free farmers market, on-site resource fairs, and our garden chef competition,” Smith explained.
In their first year of participation in Long Beach Gives, Smith and Feldman were able to raise essential funds to help build out their site in the early stages.
“Now, we truly need support for youth and to expand our programs,” said Smith. “Long Beach Gives has always been a great way to share our organization within the Long Beach community, and it gives us an opportunity to raise funds that can directly impact our growth.”
PURPOSE CENTERED COACHING AND CONSULTING
Long Beach Gives 2024 Flyer Provided by Purpose Centered Consulting
“Our mission is to support women through the power of professional coaching,” said Founder and CEO Silissa Uriarte Smith. “We focus on gender equity for those who self-identify as women. We coach them about their careers, leadership lives, personal lives, and financial lives. We focus on women holistically.”
Smith and her team offer one-on-one and group coaching, and they also do sessions at coaching fairs. “Last year we served over 100 women,” said Smith. “This fiscal year we’re on track to serve over 150.”
Long Beach Gives has been very positive for Smith’s nonprofit. “We smaller nonprofits don’t get as much attention as the bigger ones,” she said. “It’s great to be discovered by people who are browsing the Long Beach Gives nonprofits roster. We don’t get big grants; We rely on individuals to give us donations.”
I DID SOMETHING GOOD TODAY FOUNDATION
Photo Provided by I did Something Good Today
Kimberly Lewis, who founded this nonprofit in 2018 and is its Executive Director, brings years of experience to the job. At age 15 she became a Police Explorer for the Compton Police Department, which inspired her to someday start a nonprofit. “That program exposed me to homelessness and social isolation issues within the senior population, and I knew I had to do something,” she said.
Lewis went on to run several re-entry programs, and directed an emergency women’s shelter in South Los Angeles. After that, she worked for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, where she helped oversee over 500 homeless service providers throughout Los Angeles County. She also served as a Commissioner for the Los Angeles County Older Adult Commission for four years. She currently serves as a Commissioner on the Homeless Services Commission in Long Beach.
Lewis and her team have created several amazing programs to fight social isolation within the local senior population. There’s GoldenTALK, where seniors call to talk or request assistance; a field trip program called Golden Nomads; a radio station, Nostalgic Radio, which plays music from the ’40s through the ’70s along with an evening lineup of mystery shows; and Connect-a-Senior, which helps bridge the digital divide within the senior population.
“Long Beach Gives is super important for local small nonprofits because it really supports and focuses on them,” said Lewis. “They are truly the heart of Long Beach and they have hearts of lions. We are extremely grateful to have been selected to participate.”
Please take a look at more Downtown nonprofits participating in Long Beach Gives this year:
- ARTS COUNCIL FOR LONG BEACH: which does amazing things to help the community of over 1,000 Long Beach artists.
- AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC:
- CHRISTIAN OUTREACH IN ACTION: This Downtown nonprofit provides assistance and acts of kindness for the local unhoused population.
- DIG LIFE: Focuses on providing education and support for underserved and underprivileged urban youth.
- THE GARAGE THEATRE: provided the community with over 80 unique and intimate theatrical productions ranging from dramas, comedies, musicals, and the just plain bizarre.
- INTERNATIONAL CITY THEATRE (ICT): a resident professional theatre for Long Beach, annually reaches about 30,000 children, families, adults, and seniors
- LONG BEACH BIKE CO-OP is dedicated to fostering a sustainable and inclusive cycling community.
- LONG BEACH OPERA: Thrives as a hub of artistic innovation and collaborative spirit.
- LONG BEACH JOURNALISM INITIATIVE: The Long Beach Post and Long Beach Business Journal are two of the city’s most-read digital and print news publications.
- LONG BEACH SYMPHONY: Now celebrating its 90th year uplifting the Long Beach cultural community.
- MUSEUM OF LATIN AMERICAN ART (MOLAA): funding provided by Long Beach Gives 2024 would primarily support the creation of the community altar during MOLAA’s Day of the Dead Festival, to be celebrated on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
- OUR GENERATION CARES: Aims to empower the next generation through education, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.
- WILLMORE CITY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION: Preserving and protecting the quality of life in Long Beach’s oldest neighborhood.
- YOUNG HORIZONS, providing child care in a caring and loving environment.
Whichever cause piques your interest, we hope you choose one to give to this Long Beach Gives season. Especially if it’s a cause that helps make our Downtown a stronger community where everyone can thrive. All these organizations and more are available at longbeachgives.org.