Sacramento, Calif. – On August 13, 2021, Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) presented checks to the City of Long Beach, Centro CHA Inc. and TCC Family Health totaling $14.5 million in funds dedicated to park rehabilitation, inclusive workforce development and health and wellness services in Central Long Beach. Funding for these projects was provided from state budget discretionary funds with support from Senator Gonzalez.

“I was very happy to present checks today to the City of Long Beach and two great community organizations that will do amazing work for our residents in Central Long Beach,” said Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach). “The 14.5 million in state funds awarded today will help address the needs of historically underserved 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. These resources are critical to a healthy and vibrant future for local families, and I am extremely proud to support these incredible efforts. I am thankful for the hard work and advocacy of all the community groups that continue to make a difference every day here in Central Long Beach, making sure we prioritize and invest where it is needed the most.”      

“Senator Gonzalez has been a constant champion for our city, and we were glad to join her today to celebrate this historic investment in Central Long Beach,” said Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. “These state funded projects will have important and lasting impacts on our entire community.”

"Our Sixth District community is so grateful for Senator Gonzalez’s leadership and advocacy for the $14.5 million that was allocated in this year’s state budget for projects in Central Long Beach,” said Councilwoman Suely Saro, Sixth District. “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."

“Centro CHA Inc., 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,” said Jessica Quintana, Executive Director, Centro CHA Inc. “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.”

“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. We are incredibly grateful to Senator Gonzalez for advocating for this important funding from the state. This exciting project represents the next phase in TCC’s journey to realize its vision of a healthy and thriving community for all, “said Dr. Elisa Nicholas, Chief Executive Officer, TCC Family Health.

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Senator Gonzalez represents the 33rd Senate District, which includes the City of Long Beach and portions of South Los Angeles and Southeast Los Angeles including the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Lakewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, Signal Hill, and South Gate. Senator Gonzalez lives in Long Beach with her family.