Mayor Richardson Announces First Disbursement of the Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Fund for Immigrant Families

Long Beach, Calif. – One month after launching the Long Beach Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Fund, Mayor Rex Richardson announced the first disbursement of $110,000 to community- based organizations providing critical relief to immigrant families in Long Beach who continue to face fear and economic uncertainty as a result of the ongoing federal immigrant raids happening across the Los Angeles County region. To date, the initiative has generated $171,000 in direct private donations from residents and confirmed pledges toward its $250,000 fundraising goal.

The fund, established in partnership with the California Community Foundation (CCF), reflects Long Beach’s values of compassion, inclusion, and community. All of the resources raised will be directed toward several trusted nonprofit and direct service organizations who are providing emergency aid and direct financial assistance to immigrant families most in need.

“When we launched this fund, we affirmed that Long Beach would not stand by while immigrant families and residents suffer in fear,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “The response and generosity so far from the greater Long Beach community has been inspiring — neighbors, businesses, and organizations are stepping up and making contributions at every level to help meet the most urgent needs of our immigrant families in this challenging moment. But our work is not done. I am calling on our community to help us reach and surpass our $250,000 goal so that even more families can receive the stability and support they need.”

“This is not about the politics of the raids, but their effect on people who have lost a loved one, their source of income, and are terrified,” said California Community Foundation President and CEO Miguel A. Santana.

The Mayor's Office is partnering with six local organizational partners who represent the broad diversity of Long Beach’s immigrant communities to ensure that 100% of the funds raised are distributed quickly, equitably, and where they are needed most. These partners include Centro CHA, ÓRALE, United Cambodian Community, Latinos in Action California, Filipino Migrant Center, and Puente Latino Association Inc.

Each organization will play a key role in identifying immigrant households and community members most impacted by current economic challenges and will distribute the funds accordingly.

"Every day, Centro CHA hears from immigrant families who are struggling to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads,” said Jessica Quintana, Executive Director of Centro CHA. “These funds will allow us to provide direct relief—such as rental assistance, food, and

necessities—that make an immediate difference in people’s lives. Our community is resilient, but we cannot do this work alone. The generosity of our neighbors gives hope and stability to families who are among the most vulnerable."

"The fact that our Solidarity Fund reached capacity in under a minute speaks volumes about the level of crisis our immigrant communities are facing,” expressed Gaby Hernandez, Executive Director of ÓRALE. “These are not isolated struggles — they are the direct result of violent, dehumanizing immigration enforcement policies that target working-class communities of color. The funds that ÓRALE will receive from the Long Beach Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Fund will go directly to supporting those most impacted through our Solidarity Fund— helping immigrant families access food and meet their basic needs as they resist this state-sanctioned harm. Our communities deserve dignity, not detention."

“Deportation is collapsing vital social and economic networks that hold the Cambodian community together. The trauma from deportation has families paralyzed in fear, unable to leave the house for work, to take their kids to school and even to the hospital,” shared Susana Sngiem, Executive Director of United Cambodian Community. “The Long Beach Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Fund will provide some relief to these Cambodian families affected by immigration, so that they will  have the emotional and mental space to address other critical needs beyond food and shelter.”

"People are hesitant to go to work or school and it's affecting the livelihoods of families right now,” said Romeo Hebron, Executive Director of the Filipino Migrant Center. “Donations to this fund will have a big impact in people's lives to help put food on the table, pay rent, or even cover ride share costs because public transportation doesn't feel safe. It will also help with making calls to family members in detention or providing care packages because those costs add up quickly."

While significant progress has been made, Mayor Richardson and Long Beach community leaders are urging residents, businesses, and community groups to continue supporting these emergency relief and response efforts by contributing to the Long Beach Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Fund.

“This difficult moment calls on us to come together as a community and uplift one another,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “No contribution is too small — every donation is a lifeline that will help ensure our immigrant youth, families, and residents can live with the same dignity and stability that we all deserve.”

Community members can donate to the Long Beach Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Fund by visiting pledge.to/lbneighbors or by texting LBNEIGHBORS to 707070.

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About the Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Fund

Launched on July 18, 2025, the Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Fund is a community-driven effort to protect immigrant families in Long Beach. The fund provides emergency financial relief and rapid response support services for residents facing fear and economic hardship. Led by the City of Long Beach in partnership with the California Community Foundation and trusted local nonprofits, the initiative reflects the city’s values of compassion, unity, and resilience.

About Mayor Rex Richardson

Rex Richardson is a husband, father, and the 29th Mayor of Long Beach, California. Mayor Richardson’s history in Long Beach is grounded in empowering communities to have a seat at the table.

Mayor Richardson has a distinguished record of public service. He serves on the Advisory Board of the United States Conference of Mayors and, regionally, is Chair of the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency. Richardson has previously served as President of the Southern California Association of Governments.

Mayor Richardson and his wife, Dr. Nina Richardson, are proudly raising their two young daughters, Alina and Mila, in the North Long Beach community.