The Conservation Corps of Long Beach (CCLB) opened doors last Friday afternoon to its new Environmental Education Center at 3251 E. 19th St. in Signal Hill. CCLB is a nonprofit whose mission is to raise self-esteem; develop basic work skills, work ethics and education; and promote teamwork for at-risk youth through a combination of work, conservation and education programs. Its new facility, which was designed by Long Beach-based Studio One Eleven Architects, will house 90 percent of the organization’s recycling operations.
At Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, Jane Netherton, president and CEO of International City Bank who is also a CCLB Advisory Committee member, told the crowd that the nonprofit has recycled more than 250,000 tons of materials since its founding in 1989. At the new facility, recyclables, including e-waste, will be sorted and bailed and sent off to market. The Center will also serve as a learning center for CCLB members and the public. Tours of the building and recycling demonstrations will be offered to local schools and residents.
“The large increase of space will allow the CCLB to serve more Long Beach residents and businesses and will help decrease the amount of waste that ends up in landfills while serving more at-risk youth in the CCLB’s education and life-skills program,” said Mike Bassett, executive director of the CCLB.
State Senator Alan Lowenthal (27th District) was honored with the 2010 Founder’s Award— an antique lamp that features a golf scene, in recognition of the senator’s enjoyment of the sport.
More Information
cclb-corps.org