DECEMBER 2022

Happy Holidays from the Office of Equity to you and your loved ones!

Office of Equity & City Updates

Commission on Women and Girls' Community Survey

The Commission on Women and Girls' Community Survey is LIVE!


The City of Long Beach invites women and girls to help shape the mission of the Long Beach Commission for Women and Girls (LBCWG) by completing a survey, available now through Monday, Dec. 19, 2022.


Information collected through the survey will help inform the development of the City’s first-of-its-kind commission specifically designed for women and girls, which will provide a space for specific education, outreach and advocacy for the advancement and equity of all women and girls.


The survey is available in EnglishSpanishKhmer and Tagalog and can be accessed online and in person.


Those without computer or smart phone access can visit a public computer lab at any open Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) location. Paper surveys are also available at LBPL locations and at the following Long Beach park community centers: Houghton, Chavez, McBride, El Dorado, Admiral Kidd Park, Pan American Park Gym, Expo Center Senior Program, Homeland/MacArthur, Long Beach Senior Center, Bixby Park and King Park.


Community members who complete the survey will be eligible to receive an incentive, while supplies last.


City Launches Sidewalk Vending Survey

The City aims to support sidewalk vending entrepreneurial and economic development opportunities, while also addressing the needs and concerns of residents, business owners, sidewalk vendors and stakeholders through the revised regulations. The Sidewalk Vending Survey will capture community members’ general perspectives on sidewalk vending as well as information regarding the frequency, location and type of vending seen in Long Beach. Anyone who lives, works, studies and visits Long Beach is invited to provide their input on the future of sidewalk vending in Long Beach.


The Survey closes on Sunday, Dec. 18.  

Take the Survey Here
Programs, Announcements, & Upcoming Events

Youth Poet Laureate Program 

The Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) program aims to nurture and celebrate the voices of youth poet-activists through workshops, performances, publication opportunities, community projects, and mentor support. 

 

You could be Long Beach's first Youth Poet Laureate! Are you a poet between the ages of 13 to 18? Are you a future leader who champions community advocacy and aspires to make a social impact that promotes the quality of life in Long Beach? Are you looking for an opportunity that speaks to your passion for activism and your goals for equity and inclusion? If so, we want to hear your voice! 

 

The inaugural Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate and five Poet Ambassadors will be named at the program's commencement ceremony and will serve as a cohort, representing literacy, the arts, and advocacy in our community. 


December Activities: 

The Social Responsibility of the Poet 

Taught by poet, community organizer, and founder of the Los Angeles Poet Society, Jessica Wilson-Cardenas. 

Thursday, December 8, 4:00 – 6:00 PM @ Billie Jean King Main Library 

 

Multiculturalism as Poetic Mosaic 

Taught by poet Nancy Lynée Woo. 

Saturday, December 17, 12:00 – 2:00 PM @ Billie Jean King Main Library 

 

Poet Hours 

Stop by to discuss your poems, portfolio, or Youth Poet Laureate application. Held on select Thursdays from 5:00 – 6:00 PM. Meetings are available in person or via Zoom on December 15 and 20. (Zoom Meeting ID: 864 500 9885). 


Youth Poet Laureate Applications Open Tuesday, January 10 

More Info

Mobile Food Vendors Workshop

On Tuesday, December 13, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services will host a workshop for mobile food vendors, including street food vendors and food truck operators.  The workshop will provide information about obtaining a Long Beach Health Permit as well as upcoming changes to the California Retail Food Code. 

 

When: December 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

Where: Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave.).  

 

People can RSVP by calling 562.570.4132 or emailing EnvironmentalHealth@longbeach.gov.   

 

RSVP is appreciated, but not required. Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog interpreters will be on site during the workshop. People who attend the workshop will receive a 10% discount on their first Health Permit. 

Read More

Holiday “Treecycling” Program 

Our Long Beach Public Works Department will offer their annual Holiday Tree Recycling Program, known as #Treecycling. This program provides Long Beach residents with the opportunity to dispose of their live holiday trees free of charge at 12 convenient drop-off locations throughout the city, December 26 to January 7, as well as a citywide curbside pick-up day for City serviced refuse customers on Saturday, January 7, 2023. 

 

Get the list of drop-off locations here: https://bit.ly/3Pb0O39 

Winter Fun Days

Long Beach Parks, Recreation & Marine will offer FREE winter youth fun days program and teen activities during winter school break from Dec. 27 through 30 and Jan. 3 through 6, noon to 5 p.m. 


Get the full list of parks offering winter programs here: https://bit.ly/3UJj8Se

Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration is set to take place Saturday, January 14, 2023. The event will return for its 35th year after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Community members are encouraged to attend the event to honor and celebrate the life and values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

 

The parade begins at 10 AM and the celebration is scheduled for noon, 12 PM-5 PM.  

 

Residents, organizations and businesses interested in participating must submit a completed parade application by December 10.  

 

For more information, email lbmlkevent@gmail.com


Point-In-Time Homeless Count

Volunteer for the upcoming Homeless Count! The 'Count' remains one of the most valuable tools that allows the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and local communities the ability to assess homelessness at national and local levels.  

When: Thursday, January 26, 2023 

Where: The Grant Long Beach, 4201 E. Willow St.  

Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3XF44aZ 

Job Opportunities

Parks, Recreation and Marine Partnership Officer 

Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine is seeking an enthusiastic community-oriented partnerships manager who is able to strategically collaborate and leverage synergies to build relationships and develop partnerships that strengthen park outcomes.  

 

Apply today at https://bit.ly/3uj5LNL

2023-2024 Management Assistant Program

Apply Now
More Info

The City of Long Beach Management Assistant Program offers an intense and fulfilling one-year apprenticeship filled with challenge, excitement, and tremendous opportunities for career and personal growth—not to mention a host of work-life benefits that are hard to match. 

 

The application deadline has been extended from December 2 to December 16, 2022 at 2:00 PM 

Port of Long Beach Officer of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Procurement (ODEIP) 

Apply Now

The Port of Long Beach is committed to creating an inclusive, equitable and diverse work environment, with the goal of making BELONGING a norm. The ODEIP is a subject matter expert and is responsible for the vision, leadership and direction of the Port’s diversity and equity program for contracts and procurement, as well as DEI programming with an internal organization and external focus.  Additionally, the ODEIP serves as the Port’s liaison to the City’s Office of Equity and Inclusion.  

Long Beach Recovery Act Program Updates

Long Beach Resource Line

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.

Health Equity Programs

The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services

(Health Department) has selected and awarded a total of $3,027,921 in funding to support community organizations implementing health equity-centered programs that address the impacts of COVID-19 in the most at-risk, historically underserved and under-resourced communities in Long Beach. In May, the City launched a Request for Proposals for Health Equity Community Projects to engage in key health activities in one of nine categories outlined below. After a thorough review process, 21 projects were selected to receive funding. The selected projects address factors such as social and economic stability, systemic barriers and racism that contribute to a health condition and work to improve the outcomes of that condition. The projects all focus on neighborhoods and communities that have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Equity Community Projects will begin implementing programs this fall through early 2023. Organizations with contracts to engage in technical assistance will begin intake assessments during the fall. A complete list of grant recipients is available on the Health Equity Projects Awardee List.

Long Beach Pledge- Guaranteed Income Pilot Application Now Open

All Language Flyers

 The City of Long Beach launched the application period for the Long Beach Pledge, the City’s guaranteed income pilot program. The program will provide $500 a month for 12 months to 250 families with children who live in the 90813 zip code, are below 100% of the federal poverty line and have one income earner for their household. The application is open for eligible residents now through Jan. 17, 2023, at 4:59 p.m. (PST). The online application is now open at longbeachpledge.org/apply and is available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. Applicants without computer or smartphone access may visit a public computer lab at any open Long Beach Public Library location.

Mental Health Matters Awareness Campaign

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) launched Mental Health Matters, its mental health awareness campaign. The campaign seeks to normalize and destigmatize mental health and improve access and connection to mental health supports in Long Beach. The Mental Health Matters website offers education and resources for people across the city. Features include a Mental Health Toolkit, with information on how mental health may look in our own lives, available resources, where to access support in Long Beach and how to check in with a loved one who may be struggling. The campaign also provides opportunities for Long Beach community members, institutions for learning, businesses and organizations to take the pledge to be a Mental Health Champion. Those who take the pledge will receive window-clings and flyers to proudly display to help community members identify spaces around Long Beach that are actively creating safe and responsive environments for mental health.

First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program

The City of Long Beach launched a new website for its upcoming First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program (Program), which will provide approximately 100 eligible families with up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. The application process for qualified residents is expected to open in early 2023. Facilitated by the Development Services Department, the Program, which is a grant and not a loan or mortgage service, will assist low- and moderate-income families traditionally underrepresented in homeownership with purchasing their first home and building multi-generational wealth. Applicants will need to be first-time homebuyers presently residing within a federal Community Development Block Grant designated census tract in Long Beach, among other requirements. More program details, including eligibility information, are available on the Program website at longbeach.gov/lbhomegrant.

City Launches Long Beach Collaboratory Smart City Initiative Program  

The City of Long Beach is launching its new Smart City Initiative program, the Long Beach Collaboratory (LB Co-Lab), to engage residents with civic technology design and equip them with technology skills to thrive in our “smart” economy. The LB Co-Lab will engage local Long Beach stakeholders in a collaborative community engagement process to scope and implement a pilot technology project. The technology implemented through this program will ensure the City invests in technology enhancements based on community-identified needs, while also teaching community members about technology design and development.  Those interested in participating in the program are encouraged to submit an interest form on the LB Co-Lab webpage. To learn more about the Smart City Initiative, including guiding principles, pilot programs and exciting new projects, go to the Smart City Initiative webpage. To read more about the LB Co-Lab, please visit https://longbeach.gov/smartcity/pilot-programs/lb-co-lab.

Long Beach Launches Recovery Act Data Dashboard  

The City of Long Beach has launched the Recovery Data Dashboard, a new tool for Long Beach community members to track spending and key performance and equity metrics related to the Long Beach Recovery Act. The Recovery Data Dashboard is part of the City’s efforts towards enhancing transparency for the Long Beach Recovery Act to ensure a results-driven, equitable and transparent approach to Recovery funding. The dashboard offers interactive features allowing the public to explore various data elements including the ability to disaggregate data by program, race/ethnicity and program status. The dashboard will be updated quarterly with the next update available in February 2023. To learn more about the Long Beach Recovery Act Dashboard, visit https://longbeach.gov/recovery/reporting-data/.

Micro-Transit Shuttle Program for Downtown and Alamitos Beach Areas

The City of Long Beach launched its electric-powered shuttle service for the Downtown Long Beach – Alamitos Beach neighborhoods as part of the Micro-Transit Shuttle program. This is the second and final fleet of electric-powered shuttles, which will operate Thursdays through Sundays*, and are intended to support mobility programs for economic recovery, promote non-automotive transportation modes for trips under three miles and alleviate parking impacts by connecting to nearby underutilized parking lots. As of Nov. 10, shuttle services became available for both the Downtown – Alamitos Beach and Alamitos Bay – Belmont Shore neighborhoods, including a wheelchair accessible shuttle that can transport up to two passengers who require wheelchair accommodations. All riders are encouraged to download the Ride Circuit mobile app, available from any app store, or by visiting ridecircuit.com/ride for more information. Last month, the City debuted the shuttle service in the Alamitos Beach – Belmont Shore neighborhoods. For more information, visit the City of Long Beach Micro-Transit Shuttle program webpage.