Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Office of Civic Innovation has recently announced the recipients of the second round of its Love Your Block mini-grant program. This initiative, made possible by funding from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, aims to empower residents to improve their neighborhoods through community-driven projects.

The second round of mini-grants will focus on West Long Beach, with three awardees each receiving up to $2,500 in grant funding. These projects will address air quality and transportation efficiency for residents, particularly youth and older adults in the 90810-zip code.

Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his support for the Love Your Block program, stating that it equips residents with the tools to enhance their own neighborhoods. He believes that by listening to and supporting ideas from the community, solutions can be created that truly fit the needs of West Long Beach and foster strong connections among neighbors.

The three selected initiatives include Native Shadeways, Moving at the Speed of Community, and Native Seeds. Each project will receive mini-grant funding as well as direct support from City staff to help plan and implement them by September 2026.

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Native Shadeways is a greening initiative that will see residents planting native trees and shrubs along pedestrian pathways and transit stops. This project aims to provide shade, improve walkability, reduce heat exposure, and encourage the use of public transportation.

Moving at the Speed of Community is a community art initiative that combines public art with walking, biking, and transit. Through community-designed reflective artwork, this project aims to promote active transportation while strengthening neighborhood connections and promoting cleaner air.

The third project, Native Seeds, is a youth-focused environmental education initiative. Local youth and residents will distribute native wildflower seed kits to elementary school students in an effort to empower families to support pollinators, expand neighborhood greenery, and promote long-term environmental protection.

On June 23, 2026, City staff hosted the second round Love Your Block Mini-Grant Kickoff meeting at Long Beach City Hall. This event marked the start of the 2026 Love Your Block project cycle and provided an opportunity for staff and community partners to connect with the grantees.

The Love Your Block team will continue to work closely with each awardee to support project implementation, connect them with relevant City departments and resources, and ensure alignment with City policies and community goals.

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This is the second round of mini-grants awarded by the Love Your Block program. The first round was awarded in December 2025, with community projects completed in May of this year. In its first round, the mini-grant program made a significant impact in West Long Beach by engaging over 100 volunteers across all projects, planting 50 trees, collecting 27 vapes from high school students, removing more than 31,000 pounds of trash and creating a new educational garden space.

Vice Mayor and Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga expressed his support for the Love Your Block program, stating that it empowers West Long Beach residents to shape their community and inspire positive change. He believes that this initiative unites the community, advances environmental justice, and supports their vision for a healthier and more vibrant neighborhood.

Love Your Block has been supporting projects aligned with the City's Westside Promise Initiative for the past two years. This initiative is a 10-year community investment plan designed to address current and historic challenges facing West Long Beach by coordinating City efforts, strategic partnerships, and targeted investments. By connecting resident ideas with City resources and community expertise, Love Your Block turns neighborhood priorities into meaningful improvements.

Residents who are interested in learning more about the Love Your Block mini-grants program are encouraged to follow updates on the Office of Civic Innovation webpage. More information about the Westside Promise can be found at longbeach.gov/wsp.

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