The Long Beach Youth Wellness & Safety Project

Community safety

Long Beach

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

In 2024, BGCLB served more than 4,200 unduplicated youth, primarily from low-income households and historically under-resourced neighborhoods. Nearly 86% of our members qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and more than 89% identify as youth of color. Youth and families living here face significant barriers to safety and well-being including housing instability, food insecurity, and violence exposure. According to the City of Long Beach’s Youth Strategic Plan, over 80% of local youth cite difficulty accessing mental health services, These pressures have led to elevated rates of anxiety, depression, social isolation, and emotional dysregulation, especially among young people from low-income households and communities of color. School absenteeism and disconnection from caring adults further contribute to unsafe conditions, increasing vulnerability to risky behaviors, community violence, and academic disengagement.

For more than 85 years, BGCLB has served as a safe, consistent presence in Long Beach’s highest-need neighborhoods, operating 13 Club sites that provide free and low-cost programming to over 4,200 youth annually. The Long Beach Youth Wellness & Safety Project strengthens community safety by embedding trauma-informed support directly into everyday youth spaces. By reaching young people where they already feel safe and known, BGCLB builds resilience, reduces risk, and fosters stronger connections between youth, families, and their communities. Alongside homework help, tutoring, and enrichment, the Wellness & Safety Project offers wraparound services including:
Mentorship by trauma-informed staff who foster trust and belonging.
Mental health care via on-site MSW interns offering counseling and behavioral support.
Leadership development through service-focused programs like Keystone and Torch Club.
Food security, with over 550,000 healthy meals and snacks distributed annually, plus seasonal take-home groceries for families.
Basic needs support, including hygiene kits, laundry access, transportation aid, and case-managed referrals to public resources.
Together, these layered services reduce vulnerability to violence, promote emotional wellness, and keep youth engaged in school and community life.

If successful, Los Angeles County will be safer, more connected, and more equitable for youth. In communities long impacted by poverty, systemic inequity, and violence, youth will have consistent access to trusted adults, safe spaces, mental health support, and daily essentials, all integrated into accessible afterschool environments. We envision measurable reductions in chronic absenteeism, youth anxiety, and risky behavior, alongside increased academic engagement, peer connection, and family stability.

BGCLB aims to strengthen and refine the integration of wellness, safety, and academic support across its 13 existing sites. With sustained support, we will increase access to mental health services, enhance family stability efforts, and deepen our partnerships with schools and local agencies. Our vision is a Long Beach where every young person, regardless of zip code, has the tools, relationships, and support needed to grow up safe, healthy, and hopeful.