Long Beach Health and Human Services (Health Department)’s Advancing Peace Initiative is giving $67,000 to over two dozen local organizations to plan events that emphasize safety, community, healthy neighborhoods and economic development throughout the summer.
Twenty-seven non-profits will receive funds to contribute to the further development of S.T.R.O.N.G. Beach (Standing Together to Reach Our Next Generation), an element of the City’s Summer of Opportunity Initiative. S.T.R.O.N.G. Beach Summer is intended to provide free community activities for Long Beach youth with hopes to combat youth violence in the city.
The Long Beach Advancing Peace Steering Committee, made up of City staff, community and nonprofit representatives, helped organize the necessary criteria for the summer event plans.
“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 in a public statement. “We are proud to have these 27 organizations join our effort to [provide] a safe and healthy summer.”
The S.T.R.O.N.G. Beach Summer event lineup will feature the following free activities:
July:
- Begins Saturday, July 13 – Mind-1-1: A Summer of Mental Fitness at Bluff Park (2500 E. Ocean Blvd.).
- Saturday, July 20 – Developing Future Leaders: Unity in the Community Multicultural Festival at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.).
- Saturday, July 20 – Long Beach Filipino Festival: Westside Mural Celebration at A & F Market (2569 Santa Fe Ave.).
- July 22 – Aug. 2 – BOSS, Inc.: BOSS Summer Academy at California State University Long Beach (1250 Bellflower Blvd.).
August:
- Begins Friday, Aug. 2 – CityHeART Inc.: Summer Art Camp at 2291 W. Williams St.
- Aug. 2 & 3 – Hoops After Dark/California Youth Empowerment Service: Hoops After Dark Skills Camp at Nelson Academy (1951 Cherry Ave.).
- Aug. 10 – Dreamz into Goals: DIG LIFE’s 4th Annual Backpack Giveaway & Bike Repair/Raffle at Cesar Chavez Park (401 Golden Ave.).
- Friday, Aug. 16 – Success in Challenges, Inc.: Youth Empowerment & Community Resource Fair at Davenport Park (2910 E. 55th Way).
- Saturday, Aug. 17 – California Aquatic Therapy & Wellness Center, Inc.: Back-to-School Health Fair and Fun Fest at Pools of Hope (6801 Long Beach Blvd.)
- Saturday, Aug. 24 – One in Long Beach, Inc. (LGBTQ Center Long Beach) at The Center (2017 4th St.).
- Saturday, Aug. 24 – KLBRI: Sana Sana – A Grassroots Community Healing Pop-Up at Cesar Chavez Park (401 Golden Ave.).
- Saturday, Aug. 24 – AHN Foundation: Sounds of a Stress-Free Summer at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.).
- Aug 27 & 28 – Cornucopia Services: Promoting Peace and Education: A Back-to-School Celebration for Gang Violence Prevention at Springdale West (2095 W. Spring St.).
September:
- Saturday, Sept. 7 – The VIP Family Foundation: Beauty, Brains and Beats Workshop at VIP Records (1028 Pacific Coast Hwy.).
- Saturday, Sept. 14 – Washington Neighborhood Association: Tardeada Musical at Cedar Avenue & West 14th Street.
- Friday, Sept. 20 – Puente Latino Association: Hispanic Heritage Celebration. Location TBA.
- Saturday, Sept. 21 – Free + True Brand: Family Day of Movement at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.).
- Sunday, Sept. 22 – Justice for Homicide Victims: National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims Ceremony at Rosie’s Dog Beach (5000 E. Ocean Blvd.).
- Friday, Sept. 27 – Renaissance High School for the Arts’ Parents for the Arts (PARTS): Noche Latina at Renaissance High School (235 E. 8th St.).
- Saturday, Sept. 28 – Justice For Murdered Children: Cries From the Hood at Grace A.M.E. Church (1129 Alamitos Ave.).
- Monday, Sept. 30 – The Children of Khalifa Aboriginal Tribe, Inc.: Unity in Peace: Indigenous Dialogue Circle and Rally at Bluff Park (2500 E Ocean Blvd.).
In addition to the events that have already been organized, a shoe giveaway event from the Made New Foundation is currently in the works.
For more details about the City’s upcoming Summer of Opportunity event schedule, visit the Long Beach Summer Activities calendar.
