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Central Long Beach

Best Start Central Long Beach

The Central Long Beach community has a long history of working together to impact the services and resources available to residents. The area has been described as having a “culture of collaboration” and the participation of multiple sectors is actively promoted. The diversity and extensiveness of the Central Long Beach communitys leadership has the potential to be a model. Residents have taken on leadership roles when asked to participate, and there are additional opportunities for them to become increasingly engaged.

Community leadership in Central Long Beach is described as “committed, creative, ethnically diverse, innovative, collaborative, connected, wanting to be organized, active and  dedicated.”

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VIEW A MAP of this community (PDF)

News and postings


Broadway-Manchester Play Day in the Park

Join Best Start Broadway-Manchester tomorrow for a Play Day in the Park! There will be fun activities for children and parents including a bicycle blender, face painting, musical chairs and more! This event will take place at the 97th Street Pocket Park at 554 W. 97th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90044 from 10:30am to 1:30pm. [...]

Watts-Willowbrook Community Walk and Resource Fair

Please join Best Start Watts-Willowbrook for a Community Walk and Resource Fair on Saturday, May 18, 2013! The walk begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee located at 10950 S. Central Avenue in Los Angeles.  Join us for a tour of community resources along Central Ave and over to Compton Ave, [...]

Notes from Special Commission Meeting

On April 3, 2013 the First 5 LA Board of Commissioners held a Special Commission Meeting to discuss monthly goals and outcomes for Best Start. Click the link below for a summary of the discussion. Meeting Notes (English) Meeting Notes (Spanish) Meetings Notes (Mandarin) Meeting Notes (Khmer)

Notes from Special Commission Meeting

On March 14, 2013 the First 5 LA Board of Commissioners held a Regular Commission Meeting. Among the topics presented were options for interim funding of Best Start and recommendations for other First 5 LA investments that currently serve families in Best Start communities whose contracts are ending. Click the link below for a summary [...]

Notes from Special Commission Meeting

On March 4, 2013 the First 5 LA Board of Commissioners had the first Special Commission Meeting to discuss the goals, outcomes and measurements for Best Start. Click the link below for a summary of the discussion. Meeting Notes (English) Meeting Notes (Spanish) Meetings Notes (Mandarin) Meeting Notes (Khmer)

Best Start Update from Kim Belshé

Attached is a letter from First 5 LA Executive Director Kim Belshé to members of the Best Start Communities with updates and important information related to Best Start. The letter has the following highlights: An overview of the presentation on Best Start Communities given by First 5 LA staff at the last Commission meeting on [...]

Best Start Question and Answer Sheet from Kim Belshé

First 5 LA’s new Executive Director, Kim Belshé, recently wrote a letter to all Best Start Communities introducing herself and explaining her Listening Learning and Leading initiative, a way to help her learn about First 5 LA, our programs and efforts, including Best Start. Community members submitted questions in response to the letter, which have [...]

Letter from New Executive Director to Best Start Communities

In early November, First 5 LA welcomed new Executive Director Kim Belshé to lead the organization and our many programs and projects. She is a veteran public administrator and a nationally-recognized policy expert. Her credentials include serving as the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency from 2003 to 2011, and serving on [...]

Double dutch – from childhood game to sport

Children’s games may seem like they’re all about having fun, but they’re also important in a child’s development. Playing games such as hopscotch and hide-and-seek help kids develop their gross motor skills, such as running, jumping and hopping, while also teaching them how to wait their turn and follow directions. These popular games also promote [...]

Hopscotch and Its Worldwide Attraction

Children’s games may seem like they’re all about having fun, but they’re also important in a child’s development. Playing games such as hopscotch and hide-and-seek help kids develop their gross motor skills, such as running, jumping and hopping, while also teaching them how to wait their turn and follow directions. These popular games also promote [...]