LONG BEACH —The City of Long Beach April 19, launched an online portal with detailed information on how community members, local organizations and businesses can help support the migrant children who will be temporarily sheltered at the Long Beach Convention Center as part of the federal government’s national humanitarian effort to support unaccompanied migrant children arriving at the southern borders.
This humanitarian work is being undertaken by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or HHS and is first and foremost an effort to move children into a humane environment as they are quickly reunited with family or a sponsor. The Long Beach shelter is temporary until August 1, has no impact on conventions, and is paid for by the federal government.
Over the past weeks, the city of Long Beach has received an outpouring of community support. People have called, emailed or left messages asking how to help.
The children will be arriving this week. Here’s how you can help.
Donating
The easiest and quickest way folks can support this effort is to donate online via the new Long Beach Migrant Children Support Fund at the Long Beach Community Foundation.
The Long Beach Community Foundation, in partnership with the city and HHS, has launched the Long Beach Migrant Children Support Fund to accept monetary donations from community members, local organizations and businesses. All donations are designated specifically to provide assistance and supportive resources to migrant children at our Long Beach shelter.
Providing Services/Volunteering
Businesses and organizations interested in supporting the work at the shelter should complete this interest form. We will be sharing the information collected with HHS for review and consideration. Examples of services include:
- Food/meal services
- Education
- Recreation
- Mental health
- Entertainment
- Family reunification
- Child supervision
- Legal services
- Religious services
- Language translation
- Case management
- Facility set-up assistance
- Health care
If you are interested in volunteering in some way, please fill out this volunteer form here. The City plans to launch its first volunteer effort later this week.
Details: longbeach.gov/migrantchildren.