TITLE
Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $14,604, offset by Second Council District One-Time District Priority Funds, transferred from the Citywide Activities Department, to provide contributions of:
• $5,000 to the LGBTQ Center Long Beach for their annual Black and White Ball on June 24, 2023;
• $2,500 to the St. Mary Medical Center Foundation for their Easter Walk on April 9, 2023;
• $2,500 to the Long Beach Police Officers Association Charity Golf account for the 50th annual Widows and Orphans charity golf tournament on June 14, 2023;
• $2,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Long Beach to support their charity golf tournament benefitting the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House on June 22, 2023;
• $2,000 to the Long Beach Symphony to support Khmeraspora on April 29, 2023;
• $300 to the Salvation Army of Long Beach for their Red Shield Day on March 25, 2023;
• $304 to the Long Beach Public Library Foundation for book donations as part of their Leaders Are Readers program; and
Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $14,604, to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department.
DISCUSSION
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach advances equity for LGBTQ people through culturally responsive advocacy, education, programs, and services. The Center envisions fully affirming communities where all LGBTQ people live in health, wellness, safety and prosperity. The LGBTQ Center provides services centered in the lived experiences of LGBTQ people, and approaches their work with a mission-driven, culturally-inclusive focus and interactions with clients, community members, volunteers, and staff that are trauma-informed, intersectional and client-centered. The Black and White Ball will celebrate the achievements of the LGBTQ community of greater Long Beach. The event will be held at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center on June 24, 2023.
All proceeds from the Black & White Ball will support the many programs and services of The Center, the largest publicly supported LGBTQ direct services organization in greater Long Beach, which supports more than 25,000 clients per year.
Since 1970, the St. Mary Medical Center Foundation has worked to raise funds and cultivate other resources to support life-saving programs at St. Mary Medical Center. Through special events, campaigns, grants, and major and annual gifts, the Foundation is able to fund capital improvements, equipment upgrades, and community benefit programs at Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center. Since 1997, the St. Mary Medical Center Foundation has hosted Easter Walk every spring to support for those living with HIV. One hundred percent of the proceeds from Easter Walk support efforts to provide comprehensive care for those in our community living with HIV.
The Long Beach Police Officers Association’s annual Widows and Orphans charity golf tournament benefits the Long Beach Police Officers Memorial Widows and Orphans Emergency and Scholarship Trust Fund, a fully recognized 501(c) 3 charitable organization. The Trust provides financial assistance to Long Beach police officers or their families in times of need. Past forms assistance from the Trust include reducing financial burdens from officers shot or otherwise injured, providing scholarships for children of officers who died from job related causes, and easing burdens due to major illnesses. The Widows and Orphans golf tournament is the largest annual fundraiser for this Trust and seeks to keep the Trust healthy for families who face unfortunate situations where officers are injured or even killed in the line of duty. This year’s tournament will take place on June 14, 2023 at Recreation Park Golf Course.
The Long Beach Ronald McDonald House is part of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Long Beach and provides assistance to families with critically-ill children. They provide families a place to stay, support and stability, and a chance to focus all of their energies on spending time with children facing critical, often life-threatening, illnesses. The Long Beach Ronald McDonald House is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. On June 22, 2023, TravelHost Beach Cities is hosting a charity golf tournament benefiting the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House. Supporting this event will help the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House continue to provide assistance to families with critically ill children.
Written and directed by the world-renowned Cambodian American rapper praCh, Khmeraspora is a musical performance that tells the Cambodian American experience. Featuring three world premieres by internationally renowned Cambodian composer Chinary Ung, this artistic collaboration unites musicians from Long Beach Symphony and Cambodian instrumentalists, dancers, and singers. This program is part of the Long Beach Symphony’s Musical Bridges, a community engagement initiative that celebrates the artistry of the many diverse communities in Long Beach through free, collaborative multicultural performances, and will take place on April 29, 2023.
The Salvation Army of Long Beach hosted their 2nd Annual Red Shield Day on Saturday, March 25 from 12-4pm here at our Red Shield Community Center. This was a free community event for families to learn about the programs and services offered through the Salvation Army, as well as other community resources. The event attracted students and families, and featured free food, carnival games, activities, and performances.
The Long Beach Public Library Foundation provides support to enhance the Long Beach Public Library system and encourages literacy and education for all members of the community. Since 1996, the Long Beach Public Library Foundation has advocated for equal access to literacy, education, technology, and essential community resources through the Long Beach Public Library. A $304 contribution supports book donations through the Long Beach Leaders are Readers program which highlights community leaders and a book of their choice.
This item has been reviewed by Budget Analyst Joe R. Guerrero on April 13, 2023.
EQUITY LENS STATEMENT:
Staff will consider issues of equity and access with any program proposals brought forward to ensure the City’s commitment for everyone reaching their highest level of health and potential for a successful life, regardless of background, neighborhood, or identity.
FISCAL IMPACT
This recommendation requests the City Manager to provide contributions to support the LGBTQ Center for their annual Black and White Ball, the St. Mary Medical Center Foundation for their Easter Walk, the Long Beach Police Officers Association for their 50th annual Widows and Orphans charity golf tournament, to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Long Beach to support their charity golf tournament , the Long Beach Symphony to support Khmeraspora, the Salvation Army of Long Beach for their Red Shield Day, and the Long Beach Public Library Foundation for book donations. The total appropriation increase of $14,604 in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department will be offset by a decrease of appropriation of Second Council District One-time District Priority Funds in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department. The requested action is anticipated to require a minimal level of staff hours beyond the budgeted scope of duties and have a minimal impact on meeting other City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with the recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CINDY ALLEN, VICE MAYOR
SECOND DISTRICT