In a celebration of team spirit and dedication, the Downtown Long Beach Alliance’s (DTLB Alliance) Clean and Safe Team gathered for a holiday-themed awards luncheon in mid-December at the Yard House to honor Employees of the Quarter, Quiara Grey and Javier Luteman.
Yard House passersby were treated to the sounds of a joyful, raucous party as team members, joined by DTLB Alliance and Block by Block staff, enjoyed a fine meal together. Stephanie El Tawil, the Alliance’s Economic Development and Policy Manager, was a splendid Master of Ceremonies, handing out a batch of ten funny award certificates (“Cozy Cocoa Award,” “Nutcracker Award,” etc.) while running the raffle and trivia contest before the official awards ceremony began.
Safe Team Member Javier Luteman was pleased to receive an Employee of the Quarter certificate, his second since he joined the Safe Team five years ago.
“This is a holiday event and we wanted Javier to feel special,” said Block by Block Operations Manager Sara Payne. “Javier is one of our go-to guys. He knows how to handle just about any situation and can step up and help out in any role. He’s been picking up extra shifts too. We really appreciate him.”
Payne went on to describe how Block by Block’s Homeless Outreach Coordinator Quiara Grey was selected to receive her Employee of the Quarter award: “Quiara has been on the job for a little over a year. It takes a truly special soul to put out as much effort as she does. We didn’t pick a Clean Team winner this time. We felt it was high time for Quiara to get the recognition she deserves.”
Grey, who lives very close to Downtown, is originally from Los Angeles and attended Crenshaw High School. She got her start working with the unhoused population five years ago in Santa Ana.
“I’m trying to be a listening ear for those on the street,” she said. “I want to help the unhoused the very best I can, because many turn their backs on them. They’re people, just like you and me.”
Luteman, who also lives close to Downtown, was born and raised in Long Beach and attended Wilson High School. “I love coming to work every day,” said the two-time Employee of the Quarter honoree. During his down time, he enjoys taking his family to the movies or the Pike. “I really want to attend some Olympic events in Downtown with my family in 2028,” he added.
For more information, please click here to visit our Clean and Safe Team page.