Community leaders Matt and Judy Cullen and local nonprofit Trauma Intervention Program of Long Beach were recently recognized for their dedication to supporting the Long Beach community.
The couple and nonprofit were honored during the 43rd annual Long Beach Leadership Prayer Breakfast on Friday, Oct. 9, hosted by the Long Beach Rescue Mission. The event gathers community leaders who share a commitment to prayer, service and the pursuit of a better future for all in Long Beach, organizers said.
More than 400 people converged at the Westin Hotel in downtown Long Beach on Friday morning. The keynote speaker for this year’s prayer breakfast was AC Green, a former member of the Los Angeles Lakers and an NBA champion, and founder of the AC Green Youth Foundation.
During the event, Long Beach Rescue Mission also presented awards to Matt and Judy Cullen and TIP of Long Beach for their work to better the Long Beach community.
Local leaders, neighbors, and community members come together for the Long Beach Rescue Mission’s 43rd annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the Westin Long Beach on Friday October 9, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Jeff Levine, President and CEO the Long Beach Rescue Mission, presents the Community Impact Award to members of the Trauma Intervention Program at the 43rd annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the Westin Long Beach on Friday October 9, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Matt and Judy Cullen receive the Community Leadership Award at the Long Beach Rescue Mission’s 43rd annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the Westin Long Beach on Friday October 9, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Matt and Judy Cullen receive the Community Leadership Award at the Long Beach Rescue Mission’s 43rd annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the Westin Long Beach on Friday October 9, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Local leaders, neighbors, and community members come together for the Long Beach Rescue Mission’s 43rd annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the Westin Long Beach on Friday October 9, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Matt and Judy Cullen receive the Community Leadership Award at the Long Beach Rescue Mission’s 43rd annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the Westin Long Beach on Friday October 9, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Jeff Levine, President and CEO the Long Beach Rescue Mission, hosts the 43rd annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the Westin Long Beach on Friday October 9, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
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Local leaders, neighbors, and community members come together for the Long Beach Rescue Mission’s 43rd annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the Westin Long Beach on Friday October 9, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The 2026 Community Leadership Award went to the Cullens for their philanthropy work and support of the Rescue Mission and other local nonprofits. The couple met while attending Long Beach City College and married in 1994. They said their life together has been rooted in faith, family, friendship and service.
Matt Cullen continues his commitment to service and community leadership as board chair of Precious Lamb Preschool, and as a member of the executive boards of the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House and Fuel Relief Fund, according to his biography. For more than a decade, Judy Cullen has volunteered with the Long Beach Rescue Mission and remains an active member of the Assistance League of Long Beach. She is also a past chair of Rick Rackers, according to her biography.
“Matt and I are truly honored to receive this Long Beach Rescue Mission Community Leadership Award, an organization dedicated to restoring hope and transforming lives,” Judy Cullen said during the event. “This honor is also a reminder that God has led us through the years, placing people and opportunities in our path that have allowed us to serve. We’re especially grateful to all of our family and friends who got up bright and early this morning to help us celebrate. Your love and support mean so much to us.”
Matt Cullen added that their family has been involved with the Rescue Mission for years and deeply believes in its mission. His work at Precious Lamb, he said, has given him a deeper appreciation for the work the mission does at its Lydia House, providing shelter and resources to women and children who are homeless.
“Judy and I accept this honor very humbly, not as a recognition of what we’ve done alone, but as a reminder (that) all the good work begins with God and is made possible through His grace and through people willing to serve one another,” Matt Cullen said. “We feel especially blessed to serve alongside so many people with a heart for our community.”
The 2026 Community Impact Award went to the Trauma Intervention Program of Long Beach, also known as TIP of Long Beach, which supports individuals and families during the first critical hours following traumatic events. Highly trained volunteers work alongside first responders to provide practical support, emotional stabilization and a calm presence while allowing survivors to begin coping in the midst of chaos, according to the nonprofit’s biography.
TIP Program Director Kryssie Booth, Assistant Program Director Susan Tanaka and Community Outreach Liaison Diana Kellstrom went on stage to accept the award on Friday.
“Every time a family lets us in, they are allowing a stranger into the worst day of their life,” Booth said during the event. “It is a sacred place to be invited to witness that grief and help carry some of its weight. None of us take it lightly.
“Since 2020-21, we have responded to almost 1,200 calls, and we have not missed a single one,” Booth added. “And none of this happens without our volunteers, people from this community, getting up at two in the morning to go be with someone that they’ve never met. If our volunteers are here, would you please stand up because this recognition is for you. Thank you so much.”