{"id":106765,"date":"2025-12-23T20:00:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T20:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/106765\/"},"modified":"2025-12-23T20:00:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T20:00:09","slug":"first-round-of-love-your-block-grantees-announced-for-west-long-beach-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/106765\/","title":{"rendered":"First round of Love Your Block grantees announced for West Long Beach projects\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

The City of Long Beach has announced the first group of recipients for Love Your Block, awarding funding to five resident-led projects aimed at improving local neighborhoods in West Long Beach.<\/p>\n

The Love Your Block program, run by the City\u2019s Office of Civic Innovation, is intended to support community members and groups who want to take a hands-on role in improving their communities. For its inaugural year, the program is focused on funding improvements on the 90810 zip code.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Each of the five chosen projects will receive up to $2,500 in funding, along with guidance from City staff, with the goal to implement their projects by March 2026.<\/p>\n

\"\"A sign from the Office of Sustainability warns park-goers of the presence of bees at Willow Springs Park on Sept. 28, 2021. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

The chosen initiatives include:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Legacy in Bloom: A youth-led tree planting and neighborhood cleanup effort, in partnership with West Long Beach schools<\/p>\n

Breath of Fresh Air: An air-quality education project focused on diesel pollution and respiratory health, and a vape trade-in in exchange for an air purifier<\/p>\n

Community Bee Apiary: A community-led bee sanctuary, focused on supporting plant health with urban beekeeping and educational resources<\/p>\n

Westside Clean & Green: A neighborhood cleanup and greening project, where participants can receive plants and air purifiers for participating<\/p>\n

Community Garden: The creation of a new community garden that will offer fresh produce and wellness programming for West Long Beach residents of all ages<\/p>\n

\u201cThe impactful initiatives Westside residents are leading, not only enhance their environment, but also foster community engagement and pride,\u201d\u00a0 said Lea Eriksen, director of the Technology and Innovation Department, in a public statement. \u201cBy promoting cleaner air and addressing safety and quality of life outcomes, we are paving the way for a brighter, healthier future for all residents.\u201d<\/p>\n

The program was launched in February of this year in partnership with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. Applications were reviewed by a panel of City staff. Projects were selected based on their potential to improve air quality, promote safe transportation options and build community capacity to advocate for neighborhood improvements.<\/p>\n

Residents interested in applying for future rounds of Love Your Block mini-grants can follow updates on the Office of Civic Innovation webpage.<\/a><\/p>\n

The Love Your Block program aligns with the City\u2019s Westside Promise initiative<\/a>, a long-term plan to address historical and ongoing challenges in West Long Beach.\u00a0<\/p>\n

More information on the Love Your Block program can be found on the John Hopkins University website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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