My News LA: Sen. Gonzalez Distributes $14.5M to Central Long Beach Revitalization
A state senator presented checks in the amount of more than $14 million dollars to promote park rehabilitation, inclusive workforce development and health and wellness services in Long Beach.
Sen. Lena A. Gonzalez, D-Long Beach, handed out $14.5 million in state budget discretionary funds to the city of Long Beach, Centro CHA Inc. and TCC Family Health.
Sen. Gonzalez said the state funds “will help address the needs of historically under-served communities of color and improve the quality of life of many residents. More people in our diverse community will have access to recreational activities and the outdoors, start businesses, develop job skills and receive essential medical services.”
Long Beach Councilwoman Suely Saro echoed those sentiments.
“These funds will help revitalize and upgrade our cherished McArthur Park and bring new resources to our community that will provide greater opportunities for economic upward mobility and access to health and wellness services that are extremely valuable for residents, especially as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” Saro said.
Jessica Quintana, executive director of Centro CHA Inc. said the nonprofit “appreciates the support of Senator Lena Gonzalez in securing the significant investment of $5 million from the state of California for the development of an Inclusive Workforce & Business Center `Hub’ in Central Long Beach.
“The center will break ground in 2021 and will welcome entrepreneurs and job seekers into its new facilities by winter 2022. This great new resource will help address equity gaps in the region — with Centro CHA creating a new diverse recruitment program to help ensure more minority and women entrepreneurs, and formerly incarcerated individuals can participate in newly created training opportunities, economic-upward mobility and sustainability.”
Dr. Elisa Nicholas, CEO of TCC Family Health, said, “Our new TCC Family Health and Wellness site will bring needed health, wellness and healing services as well as jobs to the Cambodia Town area.”