The Californer - City of Long Beach Opens Applications for Love Your Block Program Mini-Grants

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Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach has announced that they are now accepting applications for mini-grants as part of their Love Your Block program. This community-driven initiative aims to empower residents to take action and improve their neighborhoods. In its first year, the program will focus on supporting the City's Westside Promise (WSP) initiative, a 10-year plan to address challenges facing West Long Beach through strategic partnerships and targeted investments.

According to Mayor Rex Richardson, the Love Your Block program provides crucial funding for resident-led projects that address pressing needs in the community. He encourages all residents to apply and contribute to driving positive change in West Long Beach.

The mini-grants, which can be up to $2,500, will support projects that reduce exposure to poor air quality and promote clean air education and tools. They will also enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety and build community capacity for advocating for street and environmental improvements.

To be eligible for a mini-grant, applicants must be a Long Beach resident over 18 years old and have proposed projects within the 90810 zip code. While only individual residents can apply, local nonprofits and businesses are encouraged to support projects through donations, volunteers, or materials.

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Interested residents can apply online in English, Spanish, Khmer, or Tagalog at lbcity.info/LYB-MiniGrantApp until Friday, September 26th. The awarded projects will be announced by Thursday, October 16th with a completion deadline of December 31st.

The Love Your Block program was developed after over 30 participants from Westside residents, community-based organizations, and City staff engaged in Civic Deliberation Workshops between March and May of 2025. These workshops focused on learning about the community's lived experiences and identifying priorities through a collaborative lens.

During these workshops, transportation and air quality emerged as top priorities due to their significant impact on daily life and public health, especially for youth and older adults in the Westside. Clean air is crucial for children's lung development and preventing chronic health issues in older adults. Safe and accessible mobility also plays a vital role in allowing youth to walk or bike to school and programs, while also enabling older adults to connect with their community.

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Vice Mayor and Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga expressed his excitement for the Love Your Block mini-grants, stating that they will improve the quality of life and health outcomes for West Long Beach residents. He believes that this program will foster connections, promote environmental justice, and elevate the places residents call home.

Long Beach joined a nationwide cohort of cities implementing Love Your Block in February 2025. Since its inception, the program has positively impacted nearly 50,000 residents nationwide by improving public spaces, creating art displays, cleaning graffiti, and removing trash. A total of 50 cities across 33 states have received support through this program.

A recent study by the Urban Institute found that cities participating in Love Your Block were able to strengthen social cohesion among residents, increase civic participation, and build stronger relationships with community members. This led to greater trust in local government.

For more information about the Love Your Block program or to apply for a mini-grant, visit the Office of Civic Innovation webpage. Residents can also learn more about the Westside Promise at longbeach.gov/wsp.

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