National Disability Employment Awareness Month | |
We recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) each October to commemorate the many contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. The theme for NDEAM 2024 is “Access to Good Jobs for All.” These resources can help your organization take part. We also offer specific ideas for how different types of organizations—including employers and employees, educators and youth service professionals, policymakers, associations and unions, disability-related organizations and federal agencies—can take part on the main NDEAM webpage. | |
National Arts & Humanities Month | |
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October is National Arts & Humanities Month (NAHM)—a collective recognition of the importance of culture in America. NAHM was launched by Americans for the Arts more than 30 years ago as National Arts Week in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities. In 1993, it was reestablished by Americans for the Arts and national arts partners as a month-long celebration, with goals of:
FOCUSING on equitable access to the arts at local, state, and national levels;
ENCOURAGING individuals, organizations, and diverse communities to participate in the arts;
ALLOWING governments and businesses to show their support of the arts; and
RAISING public awareness about the positive impact of the arts and humanities in our communities and lives.
The arts are a national asset and should be available everywhere to everyone—and while a majority of the public believes this based on public opinion polling and other research, it’s often not their default way of thinking about the arts. National Arts & Humanities Month is an opportunity for everyone to help change public perception and promote the crucial role of the arts and humanities in promoting individual wellbeing, addressing trauma, connecting cultures, highlighting inequities, and making our communities healthier and stronger.
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Filipino American History Month | |
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Filipino American History Month (FAHM) is celebrated in the United States every October to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Filipino Americans to the country's history and culture.
Here are some things to know about FAHM:
When it started
- The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) proposed FAHM in 1991 and the first celebration took place in October 1992.
- Why October? October was chosen to commemorate the first recorded arrival of Filipinos in the United States on October 18, 1587, when they landed in what is now Morro Bay, California. It's also the birth month of Larry Itliong, a Filipino American labor leader.
- FAHM recognizes the complex history of Filipino Americans in the United States, which includes the effects of colonialism, war, labor, global migration, and activism.
Some ways to celebrate FAHM include:
- Reading lists from public libraries
- Listening to podcasts
- Watching films
- Shopping at Filipino-owned businesses
- Trying traditional Filipino dishes
- Participating in events that raise awareness
Long Beach is home to more than 20,000 people of Filipino descent, and, according to the 2022 Census and California Healthy Places Index, nearly 20% of the people living in West Long Beach (90810) have self-identified as Filipino.
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Every month, our newsletter will introduce you to the people, programs, and organizations that help advance equity across the City. This month, we are highlighting the Filipino Migrant Center.
The Filipino Migrant Center (FMC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2010 to address the needs of Filipinos in the South Bay cities of Southern California and has since expanded to serve throughout the entire region. The FMC is a Filipino immigrant-led organization that aims to educate, organize, and mobilize low-income, working class Filipino families.
FMC believes that people who are most affected and impacted by social injustices should lead in developing long-term strategies to change systems of inequality. Through their programs and services, they support the leadership and empowerment of low-income youth, low-wage workers, immigrant women, and families so they can effectively engage in improving the conditions of their health, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and environment.
Visit the FMC during our community hours below (or by appointment):
Monday 1-5pm
Tuesday 9am-5pm
Wednesday 1-5pm
Thursday 1-7pm
Friday 1-5pm
Address: 1631 W. Burnett St. Long Beach CA, 90810
Services Offered
- Leadership development & empowerment programs
- Know Your Rights education for workers
- Filing wage claims or retaliation complaints
- Referrals for citizenship, T-Visas, U-Visas, green card, family petitions, domestic violence; plus referrals to different attorneys
- Support in applying for AB60 Drivers Licenses, Medi-Cal, Cal-Fresh, or other public assistance programs
- Translation services
- & more!
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Disability Advocates of the Year | |
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Please join the Office of Equity in partnership with the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Disability (CACoD) for the 2nd Annual CACoD Disability Advocates of the Year Awards. This awards presentation will take place during the regular October CACoD meeting on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 1pm.
Guests can attend in person or via Zoom. You can find the Zoom information at https://tinyurl.com/CACoD1010
This year's awardees are:
- John Kindred, Long Beach Disability Advocate
- Robert Chelsea, the Robert Chelsea Foundation
- Sheila Gibbons & Alan Giomi, the Bembrigde House
This event is free to attend and open to the public.
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The Office of Equity proudly supports the activities of three City Commissions: Equity and Human Relations, the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Disability and the Commission for Women and Girls. Please read below for information on our upcoming meetings this month. | |
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Equity and Human Relations
Commission Meeting
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The Equity + Human Relations Commission (EHRC) will meet on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 6pm in the Civic Chambers located at 411 W. Ocean Blvd., 90802. | |
The Citizens Advisory Commission on Disability meets on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 1pm in the Civic Chambers located at 411 W. Ocean Blvd., 90802. | |
Commission for Women and Girls | |
The Commission for Women and Girls will meet on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 6:30pm at City Hall in the Carmelitos Conference Room located on the 2nd Floor. | |
Each month, the Office of Equity will share photos of the Equity team in action over the past month, whether out in community or among our City peers. Take a look at what we've been up to! | |
On Wednesday, Sept. 25, the Commission for Women and Girls was joined by City Attorney, Dawn McIntosh, and members of the Long Beach Human Trafficking Taskforce: Teresa Gomez, Mariah Sewe, Pamela Sepulveda, Mary Anne Silvestri, and Mary White. | |
On September 18th and 19th the Office of Equity, in partnership with the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Disability (CACoD) hosted a two-day forum for Air Travelers with Disabilities. The panel portion of this event included representatives from Long Beach Airport, ABM, United Spinal Association, TSA, SEIU and the Department of Transportation. | |
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES | |
Bring Your Own To Reduce Waste | |
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Join us in celebrating BYO (Bring Your Own) Month in October! All month long, we will be celebrating local sustainably minded businesses by encouraging the community to bring their reusables when shopping at participating local businesses to collect stamps for fun prizes.
How to Participate:
- Attend one or more of the Long Beach events being hosted by LB Reuses at no cost
- Visit a participating business and bring your own reusable mug and/or takeout container for a stamp
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By the end of the day Sunday, November 3rd, fill out the Google form HERE to be entered to win a prize!
Learn more about BYO Month HERE.
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Shoes & Clothing Donation Event | |
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The City of Long Beach, Waste Management, and Motiv Sports, invite you to donate your gently-worn running shoes and clothing at the Long Beach Marathon Expo October 4 - 6, 2024.
The donated items will be cleaned and redistributed to community members in partnership with the Long Beach Rescue Mission, a local non-profit organization.
Drop-off Location and Times:
Long Beach Marathon Expo (free and open to the public)
386 E Shoreline Drive, Long Beach, CA 90803
- Friday, October 4 | 12pm - 6pm
- Saturday, October 5 | 10am - 4pm
- Sunday, October 6 | 8am - 1pm
Learn more HERE.
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3rd Annual City of Long Beach Filipino American History Month Celebration | |
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Please join Long Beach City Council at the 3rd Annual City of Long Beach Filipino American History Month Celebration on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, starting at 3pm in the Long Beach Civic Center Lobby, located at 411 W. Ocean Blvd. Free parking is available at the Civic Center Garage, located 332 W. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802.
Come help celebrate our local Long Beach Filipino American voices as we feature speakers, singers, musicians, and cultural dance performances. Free merienda ("small afternoon meal"), featuring Filipino Food catered by Gemmae Bake Shop. Meet with representatives of Long Beach Filipino organizations to learn about available resources and programs. This event is free to attend.
Visit the event page HERE.
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9th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration
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The City of Long Beach and Office of First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas proudly present the 2024 Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, Parade – a free, family-friendly celebration of life in remembrance of loved ones who have died. This year’s celebration will include the City’s festive street parade on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Downtown Long Beach.
The City is currently seeking entries to participate in the parade, ranging from floats and decorated vehicles to marching bands, equestrians, bicycles and motorcycles.
Local businesses, nonprofit organizations and community groups interested in participating may submit a parade application now through Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. Entries should have a positive theme, be culturally relevant, artistic and vibrant with the Día de los Muertos theme.
More information including parade route, Grand Marshals, and festival entry are forthcoming.
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Survey: Long Beach Public Library's
2025-2030 Strategic Plan
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The Long Beach Public Library has launched a community survey as part of its efforts for the development of its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. The survey, which focuses on identifying the needs of the community and evolving trends, is open now through Oct. 31, 2024.
The survey will help to identify community needs and trends, which will give valuable insight on delivering accessible, inclusive and quality services and programs. Feedback garnered through the survey will help guide the strategic planning process and inform the development of the Library’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, which is expected to be presented to the City Council in spring 2025.
Take the survey HERE and visit lbpl.org for more information.
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Subscribe to the Smart City Initiative Newsletter, where you’ll find updates on the Smart City Challenge, Pitch Long Beach!, and opportunities for partnerships. All subscribers are provided monthly updates that announce webinars, pilot progress, and upcoming challenges. Subscribe here!
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Community Food and Clothing Resources: On-going | |
Please find a helpful spreadsheet with locations in Long Beach of food banks, free meals and clothing resources HERE.
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Long Beach Resource Line - Ongoing | |
The City of Long Beach has expanded its LB Resource Line, an informational hotline that provides free and confidential support to anyone who lives, works, learns or plays in Long Beach and needs assistance finding and accessing local community resources and social services. The LB Resource Line launched in March 2020 during the COVID-19 Safer-At-Home health orders to connect older adults to critical pandemic-related information, resources and services. The line has now expanded its services to provide support to all Long Beach residents, and callers can now connect in real time with a professionally trained Resource Navigator for support. The LB Resource Line is available by calling 562.570.4246 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Callers who are unable to connect to a Resource Navigator during normal business hours may leave a voicemail and their call will be returned within 24 hours. Residents can also submit an Assistance Request Form online to connect with a Resource Navigator and receive information and assistance in topics such as: Housing, Food access, Physical and mental health, Utilities, Transportation, and Legal Aid.
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The Shop Long Beach program is a Long Beach Recovery Act funded initiative focused on supporting local small businesses and rewarding customers for shopping in Long Beach. The Shop Long Beach program will provide the opportunity for customers to earn valuable rewards for supporting their favorite small businesses and incentives to discover new places by accumulating reward points that can be spent like cash at a wide range of establishments throughout the city. The Shop Long Beach program is open to most locally owned, independent merchants throughout Long Beach. To participate, small businesses and shoppers are encouraged to sign up at shoplb.org
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Electric Bike Lending Library Program | |
The City of Long Beach today released an Invitation to Bid (ITB) to provide bikes and equipment for the City’s upcoming Electric Bike (E-Bike) Lending Library program. By enabling Long Beach residents to borrow e-bikes for an extended period of time, the E-Bike Lending Library program will expand familiarity with e-bike technology, increase e-bike ridership within the city and encourage an active, zero-emission mode of travel. More information about the program requirements can be found in the posted ITB.
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